Ayodhya: The Deepotsav festival in Ayodhya is not just lighting up the city of Lord Ram but also transforming the lives of local potter families. With the support of the Yogi government, rural potters are becoming self-reliant, fulfilling lakhs of diya orders, and reviving the traditional art of clay lamp making with modern technology. For 2024, over 26 lakh diyas are set to be lit, providing a significant boost to employment and the local economy.
Since the festival began, Ayodhya’s potter households have seen a surge in prosperity. Youth who previously sought work outside the village are now finding livelihoods at home. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath’s initiative has strengthened both the local economy and the centuries-old craft. Students from Awadh University, administrative officials, and NGOs are working together to make the ninth edition of the festival a historic event, with a target of lighting 26,11,101 diyas this year.
In Jaishinpur village, potter Brij Kishore Prajapati said, “Since the Deepotsav started, our family has been continuously making diyas. This year, we received an order for two lakh diyas. The government has connected us to employment through this festival, and now we are self-reliant.” The use of modern electric wheels has increased production capacity and improved the quality of diyas, benefiting around 40 families in the village.
Prior to 2017, these families struggled to earn a decent livelihood, but the festival has transformed their financial situation. Where monthly earnings once ranged between ₹20,000-25,000, potters now earn lakhs during the festival season. Pinky Prajapati from Sohawal explained, “Earlier, diyas sold cheaply during Diwali, but now, with government support, we receive better prices. This year, we received an order for one lakh diyas.”
The government’s focus on clay diyas has expanded both employment and markets in villages like Jaishinpur, Vidyakund, and Sohawal. Hundreds of potter families, including Ram Bhavan Prajapati, Guddu Prajapati, Raju Prajapati, Sunil Prajapati, and Santosh Prajapati, are engaged in kneading, shaping, drying, and selling diyas.
Ayodhya’s Deepotsav has evolved into more than a cultural celebration; it is now a festival of local economy and employment. The initiative has revived traditional clay artistry while promoting the “Make in Ayodhya” spirit. Over the years, the number of diyas lit during the festival has grown steadily:
Diya Count by Year
2017 – 1.71 lakh
2018 – 3.01 lakh
2019 – 4.04 lakh
2020 – 6.06 lakh
2021 – 9.41 lakh
2022 – 15.76 lakh
2023 – 22.23 lakh
2024 – 25.12 lakh
With this year’s Deepotsav, Ayodhya and its potter families are set to shine brighter than ever, blending tradition, employment, and community pride.
