2,147 Priests, 3 Million Diyas & 2,100 Drones: Ayodhya 10th Deepotsav on Nov 7
Preparations for the milestone tenth edition of Deepotsav in Ayodhya Dham have reached their decisive final phase, setting the stage for an unprecedented cultural and spiritual spectacle along the sacred banks of the Saryu River on Saturday, November 7, 2026. Transforming Ramnagari into a mesmerizing amphitheater of Sanatan faith, a record-breaking contingent of 2,147 priests and Vedacharyas will assemble in synchronized ritual attire to perform a collective Saryu Maha Aarti. Anchored by the illumination of approximately 3 million (30 lakh) traditional earthen lamps across 56 riverfront ghats, the grand celebration will blend sacred Vedic traditions with cutting-edge visual technology, drawing domestic pilgrims and international delegates to witness Uttar Pradesh's flagship cultural extravaganza.
Multi-Ghat Expansion: 2,147 Priests to Conduct Synchronized 30-Minute Saryu Maha Aarti
According to administrative timelines detailed by state authorities, the collective Maha Aarti will unfold between 5:20 PM and 5:50 PM across an expansive riverfront corridor stretching seamlessly from Laxman Kila Ghat through Naya Ghat to the iconic stepped embankments of Ram Ki Paidi. To ensure seamless public viewing and ritual precision, the district administration and tourism department have systematically upgraded and illuminated 56 dedicated river ghats. Tourism and Culture Minister Jaiveer Singh noted that the scale of the collective aarti has expanded rapidly over the past three years: after featuring 1,121 priests in 2024 and expanding to 2,128 priests in 2025—which secured an official entry in the Guinness World Records—the 2026 edition elevates the ritual to 2,147 priests, filling the twilight riverfront with synchronized Vedic chants, resonant conch blows, and tiered brass lamp fires.
From 1.71 Lakh to 3 Million Diyas: 2,100 Drones and International Ramlila Light Up the Sky
Highlighting the exponential evolution of the festival of lights since its inception under Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath in 2017—when 1.71 lakh diyas were lit—Minister Jaiveer Singh emphasized that Ayodhya continues to surpass its own global benchmarks year after year. After establishing a world record by illuminating over 2.6 million lamps during the ninth Deepotsav, volunteers and municipal teams are laying out nearly 3 million lamps along Ram Ki Paidi and surrounding sanctums to set a new global standard. Beyond the sea of clay lamps, the landmark tenth edition features an aerial visual performance powered by 2,100 synchronized drones animating iconic episodes from the Ramayana across the night sky, complemented by multi-nation performances during the International Ramlila. Additional Chief Secretary for Tourism Amrit Abhijat remarked that this integration of sacred heritage and modern innovation has successfully elevated Ayodhya’s civilizational identity onto the world stage, transforming Deepotsav into a global benchmark for cultural tourism, administrative execution, and public participation.
