Ayodhya Deepotsav 2025: The ninth edition of Deepotsav in Ayodhya looks to be bigger and brighter than before. This time, the event aims to set a new world record by lighting over 26 lakh diyas along the Saryu ghats on Diwali eve (October 19), the state government said.
Ayodhya’s Deepotsav has already earned a place in the Guinness World Records in previous years. Last year, two records were set — one for the most people performing the ‘diya’ rotation simultaneously and another for 25,12,585 oil lamps lit, achieved by the Uttar Pradesh Tourism Department in collaboration with the district administration.
This year, the celebration will span four days, starting with the laying of diyas on October 17. The festivities will include a spectacular drone show and a 3D holographic musical laser show from October 18 to 20, culminating in the grand Deepotsava Maha Arti on October 19.
The celebration is witnessing participation of student volunteers from 28 degree colleges, 30 inter-colleges and members of social organisations around Ayodhya. The organisers have procured 73,000 litres of oil, 55 lakh cotton wicks and onboarded 33,000 volunteers to lay over 26 lakh diyas across 56 ghats.
According to Indian Express, 10 lakh diyas are being made by industrial units and self-help groups, and around 16 lakh diyas are being crafted by women’s self-help groups and potter families from Ayodhya and nearby districts. In addition, approximately 785 workers will be deployed specifically for removing the diyas after the ceremony to ensure cleanliness.
The diya-laying target has been divided as Ram Ki Paidi with 16 lakh diyas; the extended portion of Ram Ki Paidi (Dharma Path to Puliya) with 4.25 lakh diyas; Chaudhary Charan Singh Ghat with 4.75 lakh diyas; Bhajan Sandhya Ghat having 5.25 lakh diyas; and Laxman Kila Ghat, along with adjoining smaller ghats, 1.25 lakh diyas.
The IE report further mentioned that around 40 potter families from mainly three villages of Ayodhya — Jaisinghpur, Purabazar and Gosaiganj — were engaged in manufacturing handmade diyas. “Around 22 committees have been formed, supervisors appointed, and teams assigned specific ghats to lay the diyas as per a set layout, which will help ensure accurate counting,” an official told IE.
How to book passes for Deepotsav and Ram Mandir darshan?
Devotees from across India can book passes through the Ram Mandir Trust’s website. According to the Times of India report, a record number of online bookings have been made as thousands of passes have been booked within a few hours.
However, the TOI report added that separate online booking for passes has commenced for Ram Darshan, with online darshan passes for Ram Darbar also booked until November 29. The online pass facility will reopen at 12 midnight on October 29.