Ayodhya is set to glow once again. The temple town hosts Deepotsav 2026 today, Saturday, November 7, on the eve of Diwali, with organisers aiming to light around 30 lakh (3 million) earthen diyas along Ram Ki Paidi and the ghats of the Saryu river. Vice President C P Radhakrishnan is the chief guest, and Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath will lead the celebrations.
This is the 10th edition of the festival, which the Uttar Pradesh government began in 2017. Each year it has grown bigger, and each year Ayodhya has tried to break its own world record for the largest display of oil lamps.
Deepotsav 2026 at a glance
| Date | Saturday, November 7, 2026 |
| Edition | 10th (first held in 2017) |
| Diya target | About 30 lakh earthen lamps |
| Venue | Ram Ki Paidi and about 55 ghats on the Saryu |
| Drone show | 2,100 drones |
| Chief guest | Vice President C P Radhakrishnan |
| Host | Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath |
| Last year's record | 26,17,215 diyas (2025) |
Chasing a new world record
Last year's ninth edition ended with 26,17,215 lamps lit, a Guinness World Record at the time. The 2026 target of 30 lakh is a jump of nearly four lakh lamps, which means more volunteers, more oil and wicks, and a tighter operation along the riverfront.
The counting is not guesswork. During the 2025 event, Guinness World Records adjudicators explained how the tally works: volunteers are registered and scanned with QR codes, the ghats are split into zones supervised by stewards, and any lamp that fails to stay lit is deducted from the final number. The work of laying out and lighting the diyas has traditionally been handled by the district administration, cultural bodies and thousands of volunteers, many of them students of Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia Avadh University.
The sky show
Beyond the lamps, a 2,100-drone light show is planned over the Saryu, forming images linked to the Ramayana. Drone displays have become a highlight of recent Deepotsavs, and this year's fleet is among the largest the festival has used.
Ram's return recreated on the streets
The theme centres on Lord Ram's return to Ayodhya after 14 years of exile – the story at the heart of Diwali. Processions with tableaux will move through the town, including a 30-foot float of the Pushpak Viman, the mythical flying chariot. Cultural troupes from across India will perform, along with artists from countries including South Africa, Sri Lanka and Laos, reflecting how far the Ramayana tradition has travelled.
The Vice President is also scheduled to offer prayers at the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi temple, attend a symbolic coronation ceremony of Lord Ram and honour saints. A special exhibition at Ramkatha Park traces Ayodhya's history from around 1500 CE to the present day.
Planning to visit? What to keep in mind
Lakhs of devotees and tourists are expected in Ayodhya over the Diwali weekend. If you are heading there, a few practical points help:
- Reach early: Viewing spots near Ram Ki Paidi fill up hours before the lamps are lit, and traffic restrictions are usually in place around the riverfront.
- Follow local advisories: The district administration typically announces diversions, parking zones and entry points for the main venues. Check official updates before you set out.
- Use public transport where possible: Ayodhya Dham railway station and the Maharishi Valmiki International Airport see heavy footfall during the festival, so plan connections with buffer time.
- Watch from home: State broadcasters and official social media handles of the Uttar Pradesh government usually stream the main lighting and the aarti live.
Why Deepotsav matters
Since its launch, Deepotsav has become one of the most watched Diwali events in the country and a key part of Ayodhya's pitch as a global pilgrimage and tourism destination, especially after the consecration of the Ram temple. For local artisans, potters who make diyas and small businesses, the festival brings a seasonal boost in demand.
Deepotsav also sets the tone for Diwali celebrations across north India. Elsewhere in Uttar Pradesh, Noida is hosting its first Shri Yamuna Sanatan Jyoti Mahasangam today, with 21,000 lamps planned along the Yamuna near the Kalindi Kunj bridge.
What happens next
Once the lighting is complete, Guinness adjudicators will verify the count before any record is announced, usually late at night or the next morning. Diwali falls on Sunday, November 8, and celebrations in Ayodhya will continue through the festival weekend.
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