Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh – The city of Ayodhya was resplendent on Sunday, October 19, 2025, as it celebrated Deepotsav with unprecedented grandeur and devotion, setting two new Guinness World Records. The ninth edition of the festival, commemorating the return of Lord Rama after 14 years of exile, saw the lighting of a staggering 26.17 lakh diyas (earthen lamps) and a simultaneous aarti (prayer ritual) performed by 2,128 people.
The event, organized by the Uttar Pradesh government's Department of Tourism and Culture, transformed the city into a dazzling spectacle of light and faith. Millions of devotees and tourists flocked to Ayodhya to witness the historic occasion, which also featured Ramayana-themed tableaux, folk performances, laser shows, and devotional rituals.
The primary event was the lighting of over 26.17 lakh diyas across 56 ghats at Ram ki Paidi, aiming to break the Guinness World Record. Volunteers meticulously prepared the ghats, filling the diyas with mustard oil and arranging them in intricate patterns. Drones verified the diya count. The visual spectacle created by the illuminated ghats was breathtaking, symbolizing the triumph of light over darkness and good over evil.
Adding to the spiritual fervor, 2,128 individuals performed aarti simultaneously, setting another world record. This display of collective devotion resonated deeply with the spirit of community and faith that defines Deepotsav. The Tourism Department, the district administration, and the Saryu Aarti Samiti in Ayodhya jointly achieved this feat.
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath inaugurated the festivities and received the Guinness World Record certificates. Tourism and Culture Minister Jaiveer Singh and Principal Secretary Amrit Abhijat presented the certificates. Adityanath expressed pride in the city's resurgence as a global hub of spirituality and tradition. He also highlighted the increasing number of diyas lit each year, reflecting growing faith and reverence for Lord Ram.
The Deepotsav celebration has grown significantly since its inception. In 2017, the first Deepotsav saw 1.71 lakh lamps lit. The numbers steadily increased over the years, reaching 3.01 lakh in 2018, 4.04 lakh in 2019, 6.06 lakh in 2020, 9.41 lakh in 2021, 15.76 lakh in 2022, 22.23 lakh in 2023, and 25.12 lakh in 2024. This year's record-breaking 26.17 lakh diyas mark a new milestone in the festival's history.
The celebrations also included a grand Ram Leela performance and a dazzling laser and light show at Ram ki Paidi. A drone show illustrating scenes from the Ramayana, including Jai Shri Ram, Hanuman carrying the Sanjeevani mountain, and the Ram Temple, further captivated the audience.
The Deepotsav festivities are scheduled to extend from October 30 to November 3, with the main celebration occurring on Diwali day, November 1. The celebrations will include a special aarti at the Ram Mandir at 6:30 PM on November 1, and the illumination of the Saryu River bank beginning the evening of October 31.
To manage the large crowds, the city was placed under tight security, with police, trained volunteers, barricading, and drone surveillance. E-rickshaws and battery vehicles were deployed to reduce traffic, and mobile toilets, water stalls, and medical help were available at major points.
