Ayodhya Deepotsav explained: the lamps on the Saryu, the records, and how to visit
Deepotsav is the Uttar Pradesh government's yearly lamp festival on the Saryu ghats in Ayodhya, held just before Diwali since 2017. Here is what happens, what the records actually say, and how to plan a visit.
About 6 min read
Checked by an AI-assisted fact-check on 24 October 2026. Human review by Abhishek Kumar: pending. Fact-checked against the cited sources. Not yet reviewed by a pandit.
What is Ayodhya Deepotsav? It is a large lamp festival held in Ayodhya on the evening before Diwali, organised by the Uttar Pradesh government with the district administration and a local university. Lakhs of clay diyas are lit along the ghats of the Saryu river, centred on Ram ki Paidi, to mark the return of Rama to Ayodhya. The yearly counts published by the state begin in 2017, and the 2025 edition was officially the ninth. It is a state-run public celebration built around a much older festival, not a separate ritual with its own scriptural rules. Customs vary by family and region; your family pandit's guidance comes first.
Where it happens: Ram ki Paidi and the Saryu ghats
Ram ki Paidi is a chain of ghats, stepped landings, on the bank of the Saryu. Pilgrims bathe there every day of the year. According to Wikipedia, the bathing ghats at Nayaghat were rebuilt in 1985 after flood damage.
During Deepotsav the lamps are not confined to one ghat. In 2025, News On AIR reported that diyas were laid out across 56 ghats, including Ram ki Paidi.
If you are planning to see the Ram temple on the same trip, our Ayodhya Ram Mandir visit guide covers darshan and the practical side.
How it began and how it has grown
The yearly lamp counts reported by the state government, as listed by The Hitavada, start in 2017:
| Year | Lamps reported |
|---|---|
| 2017 | 1.71 lakh |
| 2018 | 3.01 lakh |
| 2019 | 4.04 lakh |
| 2020 | 6.06 lakh |
| 2021 | 9.41 lakh |
| 2022 | 15.76 lakh |
| 2023 | 22.23 lakh |
| 2024 | 25.12 lakh |
| 2025 | 26,17,215 (Guinness-verified) |
These are the government's figures, quoted by the paper. Wikipedia's Ram ki Paidi page, for example, gives a different number for 2019, and cites a news headline with yet another. Treat the earlier totals as approximate.
The Tribune called the 2020 event the fourth annual Deepotsav, which fits a 2017 start. News On AIR called the 2025 event the ninth edition.
What happens on the night
The programme has changed from year to year, but reports describe a recognisable shape.
The arrival of Rama
In 2020, The Tribune reported that actors playing Rama, Sita and Lakshmana arrived by helicopter, which showered rose petals, as a modern stand-in for the Pushpak Vimana of the Ramayana. The Governor and Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh received them.
A procession
The same report describes a coronation procession that moved about five kilometres from Saket College to the Saryu bank, with eleven tableaux on Ramayana themes.
Aarti on the Saryu
An aarti is performed on the riverbank. In 2020 the Chief Minister performed the aarti and then lit a diya at Ram ki Paidi, after which volunteers lit the lamps along the bank.
The lamp count
This is the part that makes headlines. In 2025, News On AIR reported that more than 10,000 people were involved, with two stewards per zone to make sure every lamp was lit. Dr Ram Manohar Lohia Avadh University coordinated the work. Participants were tracked by QR code, and unlit lamps were deducted from the total.
Lights in the sky
In 2025 the evening included a laser and drone show, with about 1,100 drones showing scenes from the Ramayana, according to News On AIR.
The records, and what they actually certify
Two Guinness World Records were reported for 2025:
- Lamps. 26,17,215 diyas lit across 56 ghats. The Hitavada reports that Guinness representatives verified the count using drones, and that the record was jointly credited to the UP Department of Tourism, the Ayodhya district administration and the university.
- Simultaneous aarti. 2,128 people performing aarti at the same time on the Saryu bank, credited to the tourism department, the district administration and the Saryu Aarti Samiti.
Two cautions. First, we could not open a Guinness World Records page for either record, so these figures rest on government statements and news reports. Second, earlier totals vary between sources (see the 2019 note above). The verified figure above is the one to use.
News On AIR also reported that over 1.51 crore diyas were lit across Uttar Pradesh that day. That is a statewide figure, not part of the Ayodhya record.
Is there a religious rule behind Deepotsav?
Deepotsav sits on top of Diwali, which in many North Indian homes is tied to the story of Rama returning to Ayodhya. The lamps, aarti and procession draw on that tradition. The event itself, with its counts and records, is a government-organised festival. If you are doing your own Diwali puja at home, the timings that matter are your local Lakshmi Puja muhurat, not the Deepotsav schedule. See Diwali 2026 date and Lakshmi Puja muhurat by city, and check your city on our panchang.
When is Deepotsav 2026?
Diwali (Lakshmi Puja) in 2026 falls on Sunday 8 November, per the Drik Panchang calendar for New Delhi. The Incredible India events page of the Ministry of Tourism lists Ayodhya Deepotsav 2026 on 6 November. Until the Uttar Pradesh government or the Ayodhya administration publishes its schedule, treat any single date as provisional.
Visiting tips
- Getting there. The Incredible India page lists Maharshi Valmiki International Airport in Ayodhya, with Lucknow and Varanasi airports as alternatives, and Ayodhya Dham Junction and Ayodhya Cantt as the main railway stations.
- Book early. Deepotsav falls in Diwali week, when trains and hotels fill up. Use official or well-known booking channels; our note on fake temple booking websites explains common traps.
- Expect restrictions. In 2020 the main event at Ram Katha Park was not open to the public because of COVID-19 rules, which shows that access can change. Read the district's notices before you go.
- Plan your viewing. The ghats are where the lamps are, so arrive well before dark if you want to see them lit.
- Dress for a temple town. Our temple dress codes guide has general advice.
- Fire safety. Thousands of open flames and dense crowds mix badly. Keep loose clothing and children's hands away from lamps.
Questions people ask
When did Ayodhya Deepotsav start? The state's published lamp counts begin in 2017, and the 2020 event was reported as the fourth annual edition.
How many diyas were lit at Deepotsav 2025? 26,17,215, as verified for Guinness World Records according to News On AIR and The Hitavada.
Where are the lamps lit? On the Saryu ghats. In 2025 that meant 56 ghats, including Ram ki Paidi.
Is Deepotsav on Diwali day? In 2025 it was held on 19 October, the evening before Diwali. For 2026, wait for the official schedule.
Can anyone attend? The ghats are public spaces, but access to the main stage has been restricted in some years. Check notices close to the date.
About this article: it is for general information only, researched from the public sources listed above. It may contain errors or leave out local customs, and it is not religious, medical, legal or financial advice. Practices vary by family, region and tradition, so please follow your family pandit's guidance. Spotted a mistake? Tell us on WhatsApp and we'll correct it.