A divine sight was seen in the holy city of Ayodhya on Sunday evening. In the ninth edition of the Deepotsav, a new world record was created by illuminating the holy land of Lord Shri Ram with 26 lakh 17 thousand 215 lamps. Devotees from India and abroad made the city echo with the chants of ‘Shri Ram, Jai Ram, Jai Jai Ram’.

According to a statement issued by the state government, devotees offered prayers on the banks of river Saryu. On this occasion, every temple, street and house of Ayodhya glowed with the aura of devotion. Under the leadership of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, Uttar Pradesh made two new ‘Guinness World Records’. First, to light 26 lakh 17 thousand 215 lamps across the city and second, to perform the Aarti of Maa Saryu by 2,128 Vedacharyas, priests and sadhaks together. According to the statement, both achievements were confirmed by drone calculations and certified by representatives of the Guinness Book of World Records.

More than 32 thousand volunteers engaged

More than 32 thousand volunteers from Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia Avadh University and local organizations made this achievement possible. On Adityanath’s call, lamps were lit in homes, temples, monasteries, ashrams and public squares across Ayodhya. The evening concluded with a grand aarti at Ramkatha Park, where the Chief Minister, his cabinet members and saints worshiped Lord Shri Ram, Mata Sita, Lakshman, Bharat, Shatrughan and Hanuman.

flower shower from helicopter

As ‘Ram Aaye Awadh Ki Oor Sajni’ echoed in the background, flowers were showered from the helicopter and the symbolic coronation of Shri Ram filled the atmosphere with devotion and pride. In this spiritual moment, when Lord Shri Ram, Lakshman and Mata Sita descended from the ‘Pushpak Viman’ (helicopter), the Chief Minister himself pulled the sacred chariot. Describing the scene as divine and unforgettable, devotees said, ‘Today Ayodhya truly reflects the spirit of Treta Yuga. Sages, saints and dignitaries also participated in this ceremony and blessed Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Yogi.

Prominent attendees included Mahant Nritya Gopal Das, Dr. Ramvilas Vedanti, Raghavacharya Maharaj, Kamal Nayan Das Maharaj and Santoshcharya Maharaj (Satua Baba). Champat Rai and Mayor Girish Pati Tripathi, several state ministers and officials of Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust also attended the ceremony.

CM Yogi told and the festival of faith and unity

The Chief Minister started and ended his address on this occasion with the praise of Lord Ram, Mother Sita, Mother Saryu and Hanuman ji and said that the Deepotsav of Ayodhya is a symbol of ‘faith, unity and pride in Sanatan Dharma’. Earlier, 22 tableaux depicting episodes from Ramayana and performances by over 2,000 Indian artists along with artists from Russia, Thailand, Indonesia, Nepal and Sri Lanka enthralled the audience. The streets were decorated with flowers and rangoli.

The night sky of Ayodhya came alive with an excellent show of 1,100 indigenous drones. In this, the divine form of Lord Ram and scenes from Ramayana were engraved on the sky through lights. These scenes mesmerized the devotees. After this, CM Yogi visited Shri Ram temple. Also worshiped and performed aarti at the sanctum sanctorum and Ram’s paadi.

A day before Diwali, Deepotsav was celebrated with great pomp in Ayodhya. Its 9th edition was organized on Sunday (19 October). Meanwhile, a record for lighting lamps has also been established. 26 lakh lamps have been illuminated from Ram Ki Paidi to the banks of Saryu. Entire areas have been illuminated with laser light shows.

A record has also been made for lighting the maximum number of lamps in this festival of lights. In which 26,17,215 lamps have been lit. On the other hand, 2128 Archakas have performed the Aarti of Maa Saryu together. During this time the team of Guinness Book of World Records was present there. CM Yogi has also been given a Guinness World Records certificate.

#WATCH Uttar Pradesh: Laser and light show underway at Ram ki Paidi at the banks of River Saryu in Ayodhya. With the Ghat lit up with diyas and colorful lights, #Deepotsav is being celebrated here.

(Source: ANI/UP Govt) pic.twitter.com/JdxgGmK0Sh

— ANI (@ANI) October 19, 2025

Two new records made in Deepotsav

Two new world records have been established during Ayodhya Deepotsav. In which Aarti was performed with more than 26 lakh lamps and 2128 Archakas. Which the team has recorded in the record. Let us tell you, in the year 2017, 1.71 lakh lamps were lit in the first edition of Deepotsav.

#WATCH Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh: Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath received certificates of two new Guinness World Records created during the Deepotsav celebrations in Ayodhya.

A Guinness World Record was created for the most number of people lighting ‘diyas’ simultaneously. Also, Ayodhya District Administration, Tourism… pic.twitter.com/Q4sBMqA4YR

— ANI_HindiNews (@AHindinews) October 19, 2025

This time this number is almost 25 times more. On this special occasion, Ramlila with laser-light show has been staged at Ram Ki Paidi on the banks of river Saryu. Deepotsav has been celebrated at ghats illuminated with lamps and colorful lights.

What did CM Yogi say on the event?

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said during Ram’s coronation at Ram Katha Park in Ayodhya Dham on Sunday – Ayodhya is the first among Saptapuris, where religion itself has incarnated in human form. Here there is dignity in every particle and kindness in every lamp, Lord Shri Ram resides in every heart. Thousands of years ago, when the world was living in darkness, Ayodhya had lit lamps to welcome the arrival of its God, its deity and its faith.

Whereas Deepotsav had become a great festival of Sanatan Dharma in the form of Diwali. To keep this great festival alive, for the first time in the year 2017, 1,71,000 lamps were lit in the Deepotsav. Today, on the ninth festival of lights, more than 26 lakh lamps are being lit in Ayodhya Dham alone.

He further said, if the calculation is done across the state, then 1 crore 51 lakh lamps are being lit in the festival of lights alone. CM Yogi looked giddy during Diwali. Raised both hands and expressed happiness of making the record.

If you want to make Diwali of 2025 the most special and memorable festival of your life, then going to Ayodhya can be a great idea. Though Diwali is celebrated with great pomp all over the country, but Ayodhya’s Diwali is different from everyone else. Here every street, every temple, every ghat tells the story of Lord Shri Ram’s return home. It is said that when Lord Ram returned to Ayodhya after completing 14 years of exile, the entire city welcomed him by lighting lamps. Even today the same tradition is followed in the form of Deepotsav, but now that festival is celebrated with lakhs of lamps, colorful programs and an atmosphere full of devotion. If you are going to Ayodhya for the first time, then today let us tell you the budget, hotels and important tips for traveling to Ayodhya for the first time.

Date and exact time to visit Deepotsav 2025

Diwali in 2025 is on 20th October, but the festival of lights in Ayodhya starts a few days before that. In which the main programs start 2-3 days before Diwali and sometimes continue till after Diwali. In such a situation, if you want to get the complete experience, then stay in Ayodhya from 18th to 21st October. With this you will be able to watch the lamp donation, Ramlila, cultural program and evening aarti everything peacefully.

Best place to visit on Diwali in Ayodhya

1. Ram Mandir and Ram ki Paidi – The main attraction here is the Ram Temple, which has become an example of grandeur these days. Ram Ki Paidi Ghat near the temple sparkles in the light of millions of lamps.

2. Hanuman Garhi Temple- Situated on a high hill, this temple is a special attraction for the devotees. From above this the entire city of Ayodhya appears shining.

3. Kanak Bhawan – This temple dedicated to Lord Ram and Sita has a peaceful atmosphere and beautiful decorations. Bhajan and Aarti are organized here on the night of Diwali.

4. Saryu Ghat and New Ghat- You will remember the floating lamps and aarti on the banks of river Saryu throughout your life, while special programs are organized at Naya Ghat.

5. Nageshwar Nath Temple – BhThis ancient temple of Lord Shiva shows a wonderful confluence of peace and devotion in the light of Diwali.

What to eat during Diwali in Ayodhya?

Ayodhya’s Diwali is not only a festival of sight but also of food. Around Diwali, the smell of sweets and snacks keeps coming in the streets. Here you must try some special things. Like Gujiya, gram flour laddu, malpua, jalebi, crispy kachori, local sweet shops are available near Naya Ghat and Hanuman Garhi. Apart from this, Thandai and drinks made from milk are also available in abundance. In street food, try samosas, chaat, pakodas and lassi.

Where to stay in Ayodhya during Diwali?

Thousands of devotees and tourists come to Ayodhya during Diwali, hence it is important to book the hotel in advance, here you can stay in a hotel or guest house near Ram Temple. Due to which it will be easy to reach the temple and ghats. Apart from this, there are calm and beautiful places on the banks of Saryu river. At the same time, many Dharamshalas and homestays also provide a good option for budget stay and a chance to connect with the local people. You can reach here by air route. There are direct flights from many cities of the country to Maharishi Valmiki International Airport. Apart from this, there is good train connectivity to Ayodhya Junction and Ayodhya Cantt from Lucknow, Varanasi, Gorakhpur. But book tickets in advance during Diwali.

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