Ayodhya, the city of Lord Ram, was radiant on Sunday, October 19, 2025, during Deepotsav, achieving two world records. The city was illuminated by 2,617,000 diyas (oil lamps), creating a mesmerizing spectacle. Furthermore, 2,128 individuals performed "aarti" (a Hindu ritual of worship) in unison on the banks of the Saryu River.
This marked the ninth consecutive year that Ayodhya has entered the Guinness Book of World Records during its Deepotsav celebrations. The scale of the event continues to grow, with this year's celebrations surpassing the previous record of 2.5 million diyas.
The Deepotsav celebrates the return of Lord Ram to Ayodhya after 14 years of exile, symbolizing the victory of good over evil. The festival, celebrated a few days before Diwali, bathes the city in light, with cultural performances and devotional rituals taking place along the Saryu River. The celebrations this year, which ran from October 18 to October 23, were especially significant, being the first Deepotsav after the consecration of the Ram Mandir.
The lighting of the diyas took place across 56 ghats (riverfront steps) along the Saryu River, including newly developed areas like Laxman Kila Ghat, Rajghat, and Guptarghat, expanding the Deepotsav's footprint throughout the city. To ensure accuracy and transparency, a team from Guinness World Records (GWR) oversaw the event. They employed a three-tier verification system, including dry runs, high-resolution drone mapping, and digital auditing software to count each diya in real-time.
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath led the Deepotsav celebrations, which have become a symbol of faith, unity, and Ayodhya's resurgence as a global spiritual center. 35,000 volunteers from Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia Awadh University worked to prepare for the event. The Deepotsav is not just a religious event but also a cultural one, with Ram Leela plays, classical dance performances, and laser light shows.
With the lighting of over 26 lakh diyas and mass participation, Deepotsav 2025 is one of the grandest celebrations in Ayodhya's history. The Deepotsav aims to send a message of peace, faith, and unity to the world.
