Ayodhya Deepotsav 2025 (Picture credit: PTI)
NEW DELHI: Ayodhya celebrated Deepotsav 2025 on Sunday with grandeur and devotion, drawing thousands of devotees to the city along the banks of the River Saryu in Uttar Pradesh.Organised by the state government’s tourism and culture department, the festival marked the ninth edition of the celebration of Lord Ram’s life and legacy. The event featured Ramayana-themed tableaux, folk performances, laser shows, and devotional rituals, lighting up the city with millions of diyas. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath inaugurated the festivities, which also saw the setting of new Guinness World Records, highlighting the scale, spiritual fervour, and cultural significance of the festival.
World record-breaking celebrations
Deepotsav 2025 witnessed two new Guinness World Records. One was for most people performing simultaneous diya rotations, and the other for the largest display of oil lamps, with 26,17,215 diyas lit by the department of tourism, district administration, and Ayodhya authorities. Across Uttar Pradesh, 1.51 crore diyas illuminated homes and public spaces, adding grandeur to the celebrations. Over 2,100 scholars participated in the Saryu aarti, creating mesmerising visuals at Ram ki Paidi.
Ram Leela, laser and drone shows dazzle devotees
A grand Ram Leela was performed at Ram ki Paidi, accompanied by a spectacular laser and light show that lit up the ghats with colourful visuals. The Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Temple in Ayodhya was illuminated during the occasion. A drone show with 1,100 drones performed synchronised stunts over the River Saryu, creating mesmerising patterns that captivated thousands of devotees. To mark the grand occasion, the skies above Ayodhya lit up with a spectacular display of firecrackers, creating vibrant patterns that complemented the sea of diyas below.
CM Yogi Adityanath highlights faith and heritage
During the inaugural ceremony, CM Yogi Adityanath performed the ‘Rajyabhishek’ of Ram and Sita, along with pujan, vandana, and aarti.Addressing the crowd, he criticised opposition parties for their past stance on the Ram Janmabhoomi movement, saying, “Today, Uttar Pradesh does not have to face an identity crisis. We are now lighting lamps where bullets were once fired”. He hailed the city’s transformation as a centre of development and heritage, and described Deepotsav as a symbol of India’s spiritual and cultural leadership. “The construction of a grand temple is an honour to India’s faith. It is a symbol of a new India. It is a symbol of a united and superior India,” he said, urging citizens to celebrate with devotion and enthusiasm.
Ramayana-themed tableaux and procession
Hours before the lighting of lamps, UP tourism and culture minister Jaiveer Singh inaugurated a Ramayana-themed tableau procession from Saket College, waving a ‘Jai Shri Ram’ flag and beating drums.Crowds thronged the streets as 22 tableaux depicting the life and journey of Lord Ram across all seven Kandas — Balakanda, Ayodhyakanda, Aranyakanda, Kishkindhakanda, Sundarkanda, Lankakanda, and Uttarakanda — moved along the Rampath.Music, dance, and dramatic performances brought the epic to life, while devotees showered flowers, lit diyas, and performed aarti along the route.Folk arts from across India, including Haryana’s Phaag, Kerala’s Kathakali, Rajasthan’s Jhumar, Punjab’s Bhangra, Odisha’s Sambalpuri, and West Bengal and Madhya Pradesh’s traditional performances, added a pan-Indian flavour to the celebrations.Officials said the tableaux also showcased the achievements of the Uttar Pradesh government, merging cultural devotion with modern development narratives. Go to Source
