Ayodhya plans 30 lakh diyas and 2,100-drone show for Deepotsav 2026

Ayodhya is preparing for Deepotsav 2026 on November 7 with about 30 lakh diyas, a 2,100-drone show and expanded Ramayan-themed cultural programming. Uttar Pradesh officials are pitching the festival as both a religious celebration and a tourism push aimed at Indian and international visitors.

Why it matters: - Deepotsav 2026 is meant to strengthen Ayodhya’s draw for domestic and international tourists. - The festival is being positioned as a blend of faith, heritage, technology and large-scale public participation. - Uttar Pradesh officials want the event to broaden Ayodhya’s appeal beyond its temples and into a wider cultural tourism destination.

What happened: - Ayodhya is preparing to host Deepotsav 2026 on November 7. - The city is expected to light around 30 lakh diyas across ghats, temples, streets and public spaces. - The Uttar Pradesh government is expanding the programme under Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, with the Department of Tourism leading the celebrations. - Tourism and Culture Minister Jaiveer Singh said the event is designed to offer visitors from India and abroad a meaningful cultural experience and strengthen Ayodhya’s place on the global tourism map.

The details: - A collective Saryu Aarti by more than 2,100 young Vedic students, known as batuks, is planned as a core part of the festival. - More than 240 temples and maths are expected to participate in lamp lighting. - Ramlila performances by Indian and international troupes are part of the programme. - Traditional folk dances, a tableaux procession and Ramayan-inspired cultural presentations are also planned. - Bharat Milap and the symbolic coronation of Lord Ram will be staged as part of the celebrations. - The festival will include a 2,100-drone show on November 7, with a repeat planned for November 9. - Three-dimensional projections, laser displays and musical green fireworks are also scheduled. - The Saryu riverfront will feature a proposed Pushpak Viman installation, floating artworks and themed displays. - Ram Darbar, Ram Rath and other installations will be placed in public spaces.

Between the lines: - The state is using Deepotsav as a cultural storytelling platform, not just a festival. - Visual installations along key routes are meant to make the Ramayan easier to understand for younger audiences and first-time visitors. - A continuous artistic trail will connect Lata Mangeshkar Chowk with Ram Ki Paidi. - Each display will include a brief explanation of the episode and its message. - Ten Ramayan-themed gateways are planned along Dharam Path, with three more proposed on major approach roads. - Twenty themed selfie points are planned between Ram Katha Park and Ram Ki Paidi. - Digital screens and themed wayfinding installations are also planned to help visitors move around the city. - Shri Amrit Abhijat, Additional Chief Secretary in the Department of Tourism, Culture and Religious Affairs, said the goal is to make Deepotsav welcoming, immersive and useful for helping younger generations connect with the heritage.

What's next: - Nationwide watercolor painting and short-reel competitions are open until November 2. - AI-generated paintings are not eligible, and reels with excessive AI-generated content will be excluded. - Winners will be honored in Ayodhya in the presence of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. - Uttar Pradesh plans to invite tourism and culture ministers or their representatives from partner countries. - Indian missions in more than 30 countries are expected to support outreach to the diaspora. - UPSTDC has launched a two-night, three-day package for November 6 to 8, 2026, priced at ₹16,999 per person excluding GST. - The package includes twin-sharing hotel accommodation, meals listed in the itinerary and air-conditioned transport. - The itinerary covers Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Temple, Hanuman Garhi, Kanak Bhawan, Dashrath Mahal and Nageshwarnath Temple. - The package also includes the Saryu Aarti, local market visits and the illuminated city during Deepotsav. - Travelers can enquire about customizing the package for a longer stay.

The bottom line: - Deepotsav 2026 is being scaled up into a citywide event that mixes ritual, spectacle and tourism development around Ayodhya’s Ramayan identity.