 "From lighting over 28 lakh diyas near the bank of River Saryu to decorating streets with digital pillars bringing stories of Ramayana to life, Ayodhya is all decked up to celebrate Deepostav on Ocotober 30. File image/ PTI")
The temple town of Ayodhya is all decked up to host a grand Deepotsav for the eighth time this Wednesday.
This year’s Deepotsav, however, holds a special significance for Ayodhya as it marks the first Diwali celebration at the newly inaugurated Ram Janmabhoomi temple. To honour this historic occasion, the city is sparing no effort to make the event truly spectacular.
From lighting over 28 lakh diyas near the bank of River Saryu to decorating streets with digital pillars bringing stories of Ramayana to life, this Deeposatav promises to be an unforgettable spectacle.
Here’s a closer look.
Digital pillars and grand Ramleela
The grand Deepotsav celebrations in Ayodhya will kick off Wednesday morning, blending spirituality, culture, and tradition into a vibrant spectacle.
Union Tourism-Culture Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat and other state cabinet ministers will inaugurate the event, with Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath joining the festivities later in the day, according to The Times of India (TOI).
This year, a key highlight will be the newly installed digital pillars, bringing scenes from the Ramayana to life in a modern display of Ayodhya’s heritage. Standing 15 feet tall, these 24 pillars will be placed along the city’s Dharma Path and Lata Chowk, enhancing its grandeur as they light up on Diwali evening.
In addition to the digital displays, Deepotsav organisers have planned a grand procession that will feature various tableaux and Ramleela artists.
“The procession, starting from Saket Mahavidyalaya, will feature 18 tableaux—11 by the information department and seven by the tourism department—depicting scenes from the Ramayana,” one organiser told TOI.
Adding to the grandeur, the procession will include performances from six countries—Myanmar, Nepal, Thailand, Malaysia, Cambodia, and Indonesia—alongside Ramleela presentation by Uttarakhand artists.
The 25-minute Ramleela performance will centre around the dramatic abduction of Mata Sita, capturing Ravana’s cunning approach as he ventures into the forest where Lord Ram, Mata Sita, and Lakshman reside during their exile. The sequence also features Lord Hanuman’s powerful journey to the Himalayas to retrieve the life-saving ‘Sanjeevani’ mountain.
As per The Times of India report, state-owned helicopters are on standby to shower rose petals and flowers over the moving tableaux and Ramleela artists.
The festivities will also include folk artists from various states, who will perform traditional dances such as Faruahi, Bamrasiya, Mayur, Bahrupiya, Awadhi, and Tharu, each adding unique cultural flavours to the celebration.
Dyanamic diyas and drones
Following the Ramleela, attention will shift to Ram Ki Paidi, where preparations are in full swing to light up more than 28 lakh diyas along the banks of the Saryu River.
Pulkit Jain, director of the company supplying the event materials, shared with TOI that they have already provided 32 lakh earthen lamps, 45 lakh cotton wicks, and 1 lakh litres of oil to ensure a successful celebration.
Over 30,000 volunteers from Avadh University are set to participate, working to illuminate diyas across 55 ghats in Ayodhya.
“We wake up at 6 am, take a dip in the Saryu, and then begin arranging diyas for a world record,” said BSc student Anand Kumar from Jharkhand, as quoted by TOI.
This year, a team from the Guinness Book of World Records will use drones to verify the diya count, with results anticipated by 8 pm. Since its beginning in 2017, the festival has consistently set records for the highest number of lamps lit in a single place. Last year , the record was set at 24 lakh diyas.
Additionally, a special Saryu aarti will be led by CM Adityanath, joined by 157 saints and 1,100 batuks in uniform attire.
Following this, a breathtaking drone show will illuminate Ayodhya’s skies with 500 Indian-made drones, showcasing visual scenes of Lord Ram, Lakshman, and Hanuman.
The show will recreate iconic moments like Ravana Vadh, Pushpak Viman, Deepotsav, and Ram Darbar Valmiki, enhanced with laser lights, music, and voiceovers for a spellbinding experience. The celebration will conclude with a grand fireworks display over the Old Saryu Bridge.
With input from agencies