Ayodhya: Every year, it keeps getting, bigger, brighter and grander.
Every year, Deepotsav in Ayodhya sets a record on the occasion of Diwali, watched by lakhs of visitors to this sacred city and many more on television.
On Saturday, more than 30 lakh diyas (earthen lamps) were lit, illuminating 56 ghats along the banks of Saryu river.
An additional one lakh diyas illuminated the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Temple premises.
The massive illumination drive was made possible by the efforts of over 35,000 volunteers.
Vice-President CP Radhakrishnan was the chief guest at the grand celebrations at Ram Ki Paidi, the main venue.
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and Governor Anandiben Patel performed the traditional aarti of Lord Ram and Janaki.
#WATCH | Ayodhya: Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath performs aarti at the banks of the Saryu in Ayodhya as he participates in #Deepotsav2026 More than 30 lakh earthen lamps are set to illuminate 56 ghats along the banks of the Saryu River.
— ANI (@ANI) November 7, 2026
Earlier in the evening, Vice-President Radhakrishnan and CM Yogi worshipped Lord Ram and Janaki, and performed aarti in front of them.
#WATCH | Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh: Vice President CP Radhakrishnan and Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath worship and perform aarti of Lord Ram and Janaki at 10th Deepotsav celebrations. #Deepotsav2026 | #Deepotsav | #Diwali | #Diwali2026
— All India Radio News (@airnewsalerts) November 7, 2026
The celebrations started in the morning when a colourful procession featuring traditional dance and music performances was taken out from Saket College. The procession, featuring 21 tableaux depicting the seven kandas (chapters) of the Ramayana, continued for nearly three hours.
A high-tech 2,100-drone show depicting iconic scenes from the Ramayana in the night sky was one of the major highlights of the evening.