Ayodhya. On the occasion of Deepotsav-2026, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath made a scathing attack on the Samajwadi Party for neglecting Ayodhya, firing on Ram devotees and insulting saints. He said that those who neglected Ayodhya, opened fire on Ram devotees and lathicharged the saints, should definitely come to Ayodhya, but should apologize to the Ram devotees and saints. Repent of your actions. Lord Shri Ram is the protector and merciful of all, he will forgive everyone, but the Lord does not take even a moment to end the ego of the arrogant power.
The Chief Minister said that today Ayodhya is bringing alive the memories of Tretayug. The city where once upon taking the name of Shri Ram, sticks and bullets were fired and there were attempts to ban the name of Ram, the same Ramnagari is today attracting the whole world with its ancient glory.
The journey started with 25 thousand lamps, resolution to light 30 lakh lamps
The Chief Minister said that the tenth edition of Deepotsav is a wonderful expression of Ayodhya's cultural consciousness, public faith and devotion to Ram. This journey, which started with 25 thousand lamps, has today crossed the limit of 25 lakh lamps and reached the resolution of lighting 30 lakh lamps. He said that the consciousness of Shri Ram is the consciousness of India. Ram is a symbol of Indian culture and values. They are the life and self-respect of the Indian nation. This is the reason why Ayodhya has been given the first place among the seven puris in the scriptures. Lord Shri Ram is present in every corner of Ayodhya.
The Chief Minister described the glory of Ayodhya by mentioning the quatrains of Ramcharitmanas. He said that if Lord Shri Ram, Mother Sita, Lakshman and Hanuman had returned to Ayodhya after completing 14 years of exile in Tretayuga, the townspeople would have welcomed them in the same way by lighting lamps and celebrating. Today's Festival of Lights is bringing alive the memory of that historical and spiritual event.
Ayodhya's glory returned after 500 years of struggle
The Chief Minister said that Ayodhya struggled for about 500 years to regain its glory. During this, Ram devotees, saints, Nagas, Nihangs and various sections of the society contributed. Karsevaks made sacrifices and saints led the movement. The Ram Janmabhoomi movement progressed under the leadership of Ashok Singhal and the guidance of saints. Today Ramlala is seated in his grand temple under the leadership and guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
He said that those who had tried to deny the existence of Ram by raising an army of lawyers in the courts, today have to accept the existence of Ram. This is our ideological victory. Lord Shri Ram never discriminated against anyone. He embraced every section of the society including forest dwellers, Girvasi, monkeys, bears, Nishadraj and Mata Shabari. The temples of Maharishi Valmiki, Maharishi Vishwamitra, Mata Shabari and Jatayu in the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi complex are symbols of this inclusive consciousness. Ayodhya is the city of Bajrangbali and Hanumangarhi symbolizes the presence of the protector deity here.
The need to maintain the dignity and sanctity of the story
The Chief Minister said that some people do not even care about the dignity and tradition of the story. It is important to understand the difference between Katha and Mushaira. Our stories have their own dignity and sacred tradition, but due to their unruly nature, some people try to defile Ram by bringing it within the scope of Mushaira without keeping in mind the dignity and sanctity of the story. He said that the dignity and tradition of religious events should be respected.
Ayodhya, which got three hours of electricity, is now a smart and solar city
Referring to the development of Ayodhya, the Chief Minister said that earlier electricity was available here for hardly three hours, whereas today it is developing as a smart city and solar city. Dharma Path, Bhakti Path, Shri Ram Path and Janmabhoomi Path are attracting people. A long series of ghats have been developed from Naya Ghat to Guptar Ghat. Earlier water used to stagnate on Ram's foot, whereas now the clean water of Saryu comes from one side and flows from the other side into the river.
He said that the double engine government under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi is working on projects worth about Rs 40 thousand crore for the development of Ayodhya. In Tretayuga, Lord Shri Ram returned to Ayodhya by Pushpak Viman, but an airport could not be built here for years. Today the international airport named after Maharishi Valmiki has become the identity of Ramnagari. Maharishi Valmiki introduced the country and the world to the character of Ram and today modern Ayodhya is connecting with the world through the airport built in his name. In Ayodhya, kitchens and restaurants are being run in the name of Mata Shabari and night shelters are also being run in the name of Nishadraj.
Now there will be no curfew in Ayodhya, nor will there be any audacity to riot.
Assuring the Ram devotees, the Chief Minister said that Ayodhya will never come under the curfew again. No one will dare to create riots here. Now no one will be able to neglect Ayodhya, neither will the saints be insulted nor will anyone have the courage to open fire on Ram devotees.
In the program, the Chief Minister welcomed Vice President CP Radhakrishnan and mentioned his public life and various constitutional responsibilities. He also congratulated Uttar Pradesh Governor Anandiben Patel and the saints present.
Chief guest at the ceremony was Vice President CP Radhakrishnan, Governor Anandiben Patel, Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak, Minister in-charge Surya Pratap Shahi, Tourism and Culture Minister Jaiveer Singh, Khadi and Village Industries Minister Rakesh Sachan, Minister of State for Food and Logistics Satish Chandra Sharma, Ayodhya Mayor Mahant Girish Pati Tripathi, District Panchayat President Roli Singh and many public representatives and saints were present. Jagadguru Ramanujacharya Swami Vasudevacharya Vidyabhaskar, Jagadguru Ramanujacharya Swami Sridharacharya, Jagadguru Ramanujacharya Swami Raghavacharya, Jagadguru Ramanandacharya Swami Ramdineshcharya, Shrimahant Kamalnayan Das of Maniram Das Cantonment, Shrimahant Ram Lakhan Das of Digambar Akhara, Jagadguru Satua Baba and senior official of Vishwa Hindu Parishad Dinesh were also present.
Vice President and Chief Minister performed the coronation of Lord Shri Ram
On the occasion of Deepotsav, Vice President CP Radhakrishnan, Governor Anandiben Patel and Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath performed the coronation of Lord Shri Ram and performed aarti. Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak also performed aarti by applying Tilak of Lord Shri Ram. During this time, the forms of Lakshman and Hanuman were also welcomed with Tilak. The guests presented gifts to Lord Shri Ram, Mother Sita, Lakshman and Hanuman.
After this, the saints of Ayodhya also performed the coronation and aarti of Lord Shri Ram. The ministers present on the stage also performed puja and aarti. The entire campus echoed with the slogan of Jai Shri Ram. Public representatives, saints and devotees wished to imbibe the ideals of Lord Shri Ram and wish for the happiness, prosperity, peace and public welfare of the country and the state.