Ayodhya transformed into a shimmering spectacle on Sunday evening as Deepotsav 2025 lit up the holy city with a staggering 26,17,215 lamps. Devotees chanting Jai Shri Ram from home and abroad thronged the streets, while temples, lanes, and homes glimmered along the sacred Saryu river.
The city achieved two Guinness World Records: one for the record number of lamps and another for 2,128 priests and devotees performing Maa Saryu Aarti simultaneously, verified through drone counts and official certification.
The record was set at the Saryu river bank in Ayodhya, where the Department of Tourism, Government of Uttar Pradesh, and the District Administration organised the Deepotsav, the largest display of oil lamps with an incredible 26,17,215 diyas, along with the record for the most people simultaneously performing diya rotation (aarti).
This grand celebration showcased the city’s spiritual and cultural brilliance on a historic scale. For the landmark event, a large number of people gathered at Ram ki Paidi at the banks of River Saryu in Ayodhya.
A stunning laser and light show illuminated the Ram ki Paidi. where Lord Rama is said to have achieved Nirvana, on the Saryu River, as thousands of diyas and vibrant lights marked the grand Deepotsav celebration.
The atmosphere turned vibrant, and the city came alive with a captivating Ram Leela performance, enhanced by a dazzling laser and light show as countless diyas illuminated.
A mind-blowing drone show was also put up at Ram Ki Paidi, enthralling those attending the grand event as Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath looked on with pride.
While the stunning drone was breathtaking, the fireworks dazzled the skies, filling them up with a milky white brightness, taking the attendees by surprise.
As the officials representing Guinness World Records announced the records, Yogi Adityanath raised his arms in a winning and celebratory gesture, before receiving the certificates amid a deafening cheer from the crowd.
“Every lamp reminds us that truth can be troubled but cannot be defeated. It is the destiny of truth to be victorious, and with that destiny of victory, Sanatana Dharma has continuously struggled for 500 years. As a result of those struggles, a grand and divine temple has been constructed in Ayodhya,” Yogi Adityanath said after the certification.
The Chief Minister further expressed his greetings to the people of the state, saying that through the Deepotsav programme, efforts have been made to build a distinct identity for Uttar Pradesh. “To ensure that the identity of the citizens of Uttar Pradesh is not compromised and no one dares to play with their faith, after the formation of the double-engine government in Uttar Pradesh, we have made continuous efforts”.
AYODHYA DEEPOTSAV GOING GRANDER EVERY YEAR
Since 2017, Yogi Adityanath has continuously captured the hearts of people through the festival of lights in Ayodhya, reflecting the deep bond between the city and Gorakhpeeth.
Over the years, this celebration has grown in grandeur and devotion, with each edition surpassing the previous in the number of lamps lit.
The ninth edition in 2025 set a record with over 26.17 lakh lamps, symbolising not only festivity but prosperity under Yogi’s leadership.
Year after year, the festival has expanded remarkably: from 1.71 lakh lamps in 2017, to 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 steady growth underscores the flourishing spirit of Ayodhya and highlights how the Yogi government has nurtured both cultural vibrancy and economic prosperity, making the festival a shining symbol of the city’s enduring devotion and development.
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