Ayodhya’s Deepotsav has become one of India’s most photographed and talked-about Diwali celebrations — a ritual of lamps (diyas), music, pageantry and river-side devotion that now mixes large-scale theatre and cutting-edge tech. In 2025 the city’s organisers set out to make Deepotsav both a spiritual spectacle and a publicity-grade showcase: millions of earthen lamps along the Saryu ghats and Ram Ki Paidi, themed projection-mapping and laser shows, plus an ambitious drone-show sequence that will depict scenes from the Ramayana. The result: a mix of ancient ritual and modern staging designed to draw pilgrims, tourists and national attention.
Quick facts (at a glance)
- Event name: Ayodhya Deepotsav / Deepotsav 2025.
- Main venues: Ram Ki Paidi (Saryu ghats), Ram Janmabhoomi/Ram Mandir precinct and multiple ghats across the city.
- Ambition this year: 25–29 lakh (2.5–2.9 million) diyas across the ghats and public spaces — organisers have announced targets in that range (different outlets report slightly different totals).
- Big tech elements: a 45-minute multimedia projection-mapping + laser show, fireworks and a multi-hundred / thousand-drone show representing Ram, Lakshman and Hanuman.
What is Deepotsav (short history)
Deepotsav is Ayodhya’s annual festival of lamps that celebrates Lord Ram’s homecoming and Diwali traditions in the city regarded as his birthplace. Over recent years the event has grown from a local religious observance into a multi-day tourism and cultural event organised with the Uttar Pradesh tourism department and local authorities — complete with cultural performances, ghats lit by rows of diyas, and in recent editions, attempts to set records for the number of lamps lit.
What’s new and notable for Deepotsav 2025
1. Record-scale lamp display
Multiple news outlets and organisers report that Ayodhya intends to light between 25 lakh and 29 lakh diyas across around 55–56 ghats and other sites, with a special campaign (“Ek Diya Ram ke Naam”) encouraging public participation. Some reports detail that a portion of lamps will be made from cow-dung (traditional eco diyas) and that organisers have sourced tens of thousands of litres of oil for the displays. Because different publications cite slightly different totals (26 lakh, 29 lakh, “over 25 lakh”), this should be read as the organiser’s ambitious target rather than an independently verified final figure.
2. Drone shows bringing the Ramayana to the sky
Organisers plan a large drone show as part of the night spectacles — sources mention roughly 1,100 drones (and media/official social posts show rehearsals and promotional frames) that will create aerial images of Ram, Lakshman and Hanuman and depict scenes from the Ramayana above the ghats and temple precincts. This is intended to meld devotion with modern visual storytelling and will be one of the event’s headline attractions.
3. Projection mapping, lasers and a long light-and-sound program
Organisers are billing a 45-minute themed projection-mapping and laser show as a central attraction, staging it at Ram Ki Paidi and other mapped façades to bring the Ramayana and Ram’s return to life with immersive visuals. Expect coordinated music, narration and synchronized lighting across the ghats.
Where in the city to go (key spots)
- Ram Ki Paidi & Saryu ghats: the scenic riverfront where the huge lamp displays and many public ceremonies happen.
- Ram Mandir precinct / Ram Janmabhoomi: special aartis and temple programmes; heavy security and dedicated visitor slots during festival days.
- Other ghats and curated light-zones across Ayodhya: the lamp displays are spread citywide to create a continuous visual along the Saryu and at historic ghats.
How to reach Ayodhya for Deepotsav 2025
Ayodhya’s transport connections have been considerably improved in recent years to support pilgrimage tourism:
- By air: Maryada Purushottam Shri Ram International / Maharishi Valmiki Airport (Ayodhya) handles domestic flights and is about 8–12 km from the city centre, depending on the terminal/route. Airlines run regular services from major metros; book early for festival dates.
- By train: Ayodhya Cantt / Ayodhya Dham / Ayodhya Junction link the city with Lucknow, Varanasi, Prayagraj and other big hubs. Trains are often the easiest option during peak pilgrimage seasons.
- By road: Frequent state and private buses from Lucknow (≈130 km), Varanasi, Gorakhpur and Delhi; taxis and private cars are widely used for group travel and intra-city transfers. The city has been investing in pilgrimage corridors and road improvements to ease festival traffic.
Travel tip: festival weekends and record-attempt days will attract heavy crowds and security checks; arrive early, pre-book any special passes/tickets for Ram Mandir aarti slots and use official transport advisories.
Practical visitor info & safety
- Tickets & permits: certain premium experiences (front-row ghats, aarti slots, tourist packages) may require tickets or registrations through official organisers or tourism partners. Check Ayodhya tourism portals and authorised vendors.
- Crowd management & security: expect heightened policing, CCTV and restricted zones near the temple; follow instructions from local authorities.
- Sustainability: organisers have promoted eco-friendly diyas (smaller oil capacity, cow-dung diyas in parts) and staged clean-up drives — yet large oil use and fireworks still have environmental impacts, so be aware and plan accordingly.
Summing up
Deepotsav 2025 in Ayodhya isn’t just a festival — it’s history in the making. With millions of diyas glowing along the Saryu ghats, the newly built Ram Mandir as the spiritual centrepiece, and technology-driven marvels like projection mapping and drone Ramayana shows, the celebration embodies both faith and modernity. More than a record-breaking spectacle, it’s a cultural moment that unites pilgrims, tourists, and locals in one shared devotion to Lord Ram. If you want to witness Ayodhya at its brightest — literally and spiritually — Deepotsav 2025 is the time to be there.
