Ayodhya:
The mega celebration will commence on Wednesday morning with a vibrant fusion of spirituality, culture, and tradition. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, Union Tourism-Culture Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, and state cabinet ministers would attend the festivities.
The temple town of Ayodhya has been decked up for the eight edition of the mega deepotsav scheduled to be held on Wednesday. The Uttar Pradesh government said it aims to create a new world record this Diwali by lighting over 2.5 million diyas along the banks of the Saryu river and over 3.5 million diyas across the city on November 30, while special eco-friendly lamps will illuminate the Ram Janmabhoomi temple.
This Diwali is especially significant for the city, as it marks the first celebration at the newly built Ram Janmabhoomi temple.
What’s The Itinerary?
The mega celebration will commence on Wednesday morning with a vibrant fusion of spirituality, culture, and tradition. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, Union Tourism-Culture Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, and state cabinet ministers would attend the festivities.
The deepotsav the process will start from 10 am as volunteers, overseen by supervisors and ghat coordinators, begin filling over 25 lakh diyas with oil and adding wicks.
A procession, starting from Saket Mahavidyalaya, will feature 18 tableaux—11 by the Information Department and 7 by the Tourism Department—depicting scenes from the Ramayana.
It will also showcase the spiritual, traditional, and cultural essence of the holy city, with performances by artists from six countries — Myanmar, Nepal, Thailand, Malaysia, Cambodia, and Indonesia — along with a Ram Leela presentation from Uttarakhand.
Additionally, various artists from different states will bring their unique cultures through traditional folk dances like Faruahi, Bamrasiya, Mayur, Bahrupiya, Awadhi, and Tharu. The event will conclude with a stunning display of fireworks and rangoli, celebrating the eighth Deepotsav under the Yogi government.
Following his arrival in Ayodhya at 2:30pm, the chief minister will preside over the coronation ceremony of Lord Ram and Sita with dignitaries pulling the ceremonial chariot before the coronation. CM Yogi will also address the public during the event.
In the evening, Saryu aarti would be performed by CM Yogi alongside 1,100 batuks, 157 saints, and a grand spectacle of unity with all batuks dressed in uniform attire. The lighting of over 2.8 million diyas across 55 ghats, including Ram Ki Paidi, will begin as dusk falls. Volunteers from Avadh University, numbering 30,000, have taken on the responsibility of illuminating Ayodhya, and once lit, a Guinness Book team will use drones to verify the count, with results expected by 8 PM.
Swastika formation with 80,000 diyas on Ghat No. 10 to become centerpiece
A dazzling aerial drone show will bring Ayodhya’s skies to life with 500 drones displaying vibrant visuals of Lord Ram, Lakshman, and Hanuman. The show, using Indian-made drones, will recreate scenes like Ravana Vadh, Pushpak Viman, Deepotsav, and Ram Darbar Valmiki, along with laser light displays, voiceovers, and music for a captivating experience. Grand fireworks on the Old Saryu Bridge will add to the spectacle.
Ahead of Deepotsav, a three-day grand exhibition is also being organized at Ram Katha Park in Ayodhya, showcasing art pieces depicting the Ramayana, displayed by the Lalit Kala Academy, Uttar Pradesh.
This exhibition, which started on October, 28 and will continue till October 30, features numerous sculptures created by Lalit Kala artists that depict the life and struggles of Lord Ram.
Security Tightened
Keeping in view security concerns for the Deepotsav celebrations, 17 bylanes connecting to Ram Ki Paidi on the banks of Saryu river have been sealed, the police said on Monday. Access to Ram Ki Paidi has now been restricted to pass holders only for Deepotsav preparations. Only volunteers stationed at the ghats, officials associated with Deepotsav, and pass holders are allowed to enter the premises, officials said, as reported by PTI.
Two hundred commandos from ATS, STF, and CRPF will secure the Ram Temple and surrounding areas, according to officials. To manage security arrangements during the Deepotsav, companies of the Rapid Action Force (RAF) and PAC have set up camp in the district.
Additionally, police personnel and officers assigned from various districts and the police headquarters have also reached and been deployed at their duty points, they said.
To ensure no disruption occurs with the lamps, efforts to isolate the area have intensified, and security forces are being deployed in 12-hour shifts.
