Vibrant, larger-than-life decorations greet visitors in Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh, as the city prepares for Diwali. The main event is set for Sunday night, when more than 26 lakh earthen lamps will light up the ghats of the Saryu River.
Lights illuminate Ram Ki Paidi during a laser show organised on the banks of the Saryu river, in Ayodhya (PTI Photo)
This year, the celebrations will include cultural performances, a laser show, eco-friendly fireworks, and a drone display depicting episodes from the Ramayana. Tourists and devotees have already begun to throng the area to witness the celebration.
— UP Tourism (@uptourismgov) October 18, 2025
Devotees carry lamps as they pray on the banks of the Saryu river (AP Photo)
A record 26,11,101 lamps will illuminate Ram Ki Paidi and 56 ghats, aiming to secure a Guinness World Record. Volunteers began preparing the lamps early this morning, placing wicks and pouring oil to ensure they are lit in unison at sunset.
From procuring 73,000 litres of oil and 55 lakh cotton wicks to roping in 33,000 volunteers — the mammoth exercise to lay over 26 lakh diyas across 56 ghats for the Deepotsav celebrations in Ayodhya began on Friday to create a new world record.
Volunteers clean near geometric patterns of earthen lamps in Ayodhya (AP Photo)
#WATCH | Ayodhya, UP: Grand preparations midway for Deepotsav to create history with 26 lakhs diyas. Volunteers from universities and colleges are preparing to break the previous year’s record by lighting over 26 lakh diyas… The effort involves more than 10,000 people. The… pic.twitter.com/BKbAhRWzXt
— ANI (@ANI) October 18, 2025
The area is divided into segregated zones, each overseen by two stewards who ensure lamps are lit and tasks are performed correctly. Any discrepancies, such as unlit lamps or errors, are deducted from the total count.
The highlight of this year? A 32-foot-tall Pushpak Viman at Ram Ki Paidi that will display scenes from the Ramayana, offering visitors an immersive experience.
A chariot carrying idols of Rama, Sita, Lakshmana and Hanuman with other Hindu deities during preparations for the ninth edition of the ‘Deepotsav’ (PTI Photo)
The volunteers, including students from 28 degree colleges, 30 inter-colleges, and members of social organisations around Ayodhya, have begun laying diyas as per the layout prepared by the coordinating institute — Dr Ram Manohar Lohia Avadh University. The organisers are documenting the event using QR codes to track participants, following a structured process guided by Guinness World Records officials. The Uttar Pradesh police are carrying out citywide inspections to ensure the safety and security of visitors.
Artistes perform during a laser show organised at the Ram ki Paidi (PTI Photo)
The history of Diwali, or Deepavali, differs from region to region but on most accounts, people light diyas, distribute sweets, cleanse homes, and make rangolis.
A man walks past a Diwali banner in Ayodhya (AP Photo)
Last year, Ayodhya’s Ram Temple celebrated ‘Deepotsav’ by illuminating over 25 lakh diyas and performing a laser show ahead of Diwali. A record was achieved for the most people performing ‘aarti’ simultaneously; the other was the largest display of oil diyas. Reports said over 25 lakh earthen lamps were lit, and 1,121 ‘vedacharyas’ performed the ‘aarti’ together.
