NEW DELHI, November 8: Vice-President C.P. Radhakrishnan inaugurated Deepotsav 2026, the tenth edition of Ayodhya’s Diwali-eve festival of lamps, at Ram Ki Paidi on Saturday evening, as the ghats on the Saryu were lit with millions of diyas. Organisers had planned more than 30 lakh diyas at Ram Ki Paidi and over 70 lakh across Ayodhya, along with a show by more than 2,100 indigenous drones depicting scenes from the Ramayana, the Vice-President’s Secretariat said. No official final count of lamps lit had been published by Sunday morning.
Key highlights
- Inauguration: the Vice-President opened the celebrations at Ram Ki Paidi and took part in the Saryu Aarti at Naya Ghat.
- Lamps: more than 30 lakh diyas planned at Ram Ki Paidi and more than 70 lakh across Ayodhya for the tenth edition.
- Growth: from over 1.7 lakh lamps in 2017 to over 26 lakh in 2025.
- Drones and artists: more than 2,100 indigenous drones and about 1,000 artists in cultural programmes.
- Who attended: Governor Anandiben Patel, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and Deputy Chief Ministers Keshav Prasad Maurya and Brajesh Pathak.
| Year | Lamps at Deepotsav |
|---|---|
| 2017 (first edition) | Over 1.7 lakh |
| 2025 | Over 26 lakh |
| 2026 (tenth edition, planned) | Over 30 lakh at Ram Ki Paidi; over 70 lakh across Ayodhya |
The 2026 figures are the numbers envisaged for the event, as stated by the Vice-President. They are not a final count.
What happened in Ayodhya
Before the evening ceremony, Mr Radhakrishnan offered prayers at the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Temple and took part in special prayers and aarti of Shri Ram-Janaki at Ram Katha Park. At Ram Ki Paidi he watched the illumination of the ghats, cultural performances on the Ramayana and musical fireworks.
What the Vice-President said
Mr Radhakrishnan said Deepotsav had “evolved into a celebration of Jan Bhagidari” (people’s participation), reflecting “Bharat’s collective faith”. He said the festival creates work for potters, rural women, artisans, performers, hotel and homestay operators, guides and transport providers. Calling Ayodhya an example of “Vikas Bhi, Virasat Bhi” (development as well as heritage), he pointed to new roads, ghats, pilgrim facilities and better rail and air links. He urged young people to learn from the Ramayana and said India must be “modern in its aspirations while remaining firmly rooted in its civilisational values”.
Our calculation
- The 2025 count of over 26 lakh lamps is about 15 times the 1.7 lakh lit in 2017.
- The 2026 plan of more than 30 lakh lamps at Ram Ki Paidi would be at least 15% more than 2025.
What it means for India and Asia
Deepotsav has become one of India’s biggest festival events, drawing pilgrims and visitors to Ayodhya and supporting local businesses, from potters who make the diyas to hotels and transport. Its growth also reflects the state government’s push to build Ayodhya into a major religious tourism destination, which matters for visitors from across India and from countries with large Indian-origin communities in Asia and beyond. Diwali itself is today, November 8; our Diwali 2026 guide has the dates of all five days, and our History of Diwali explains how the festival took shape.
What to watch
- An official count of the lamps lit and any record announcement by the Uttar Pradesh government.
- Visitor numbers for Ayodhya over the Diwali weekend.
Lamps lit in Ayodhya during Deepotsav in 2021 (file photo). Image: Abhimanyu7793, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Photo source · Licence
Sources
- Vice President’s Secretariat (PIB): Vice-President Shri C. P. Radhakrishnan inaugurates Deepotsav 2026 celebrations in Ayodhya, November 7, 2026
- Vice President’s Secretariat (PIB): Vice-President to attend Deepotsav 2026 in Ayodhya on November 7, November 6, 2026
The National Desk covers India's politics, governance, security and public-interest news. Stories are checked against at least two credible sources before publication.
