Lucknow: Ayodhya is preparing for its 10th Deepotsav in 2026, with millions of earthen lamps, spectacular processions and cultural performances expected to highlight the city’s spiritual heritage and ongoing transformation. Under the leadership of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, the celebrations will bring together Ramleela traditions from across India and abroad on November 6 and 7.
The Uttar Pradesh Culture Department plans to organise Ramleela performances across approximately 10 to 15 stages, featuring artists from Kerala, Assam, Jammu and Kashmir, Uttarakhand, West Bengal and the Philippines. Performances in Malayalam, Assamese and Dogri will showcase the linguistic and cultural diversity of Ramayana traditions, while the participation of the Philippine troupe will give the festival an international dimension.
According to Ashutosh Dwivedi, adviser to the Ayodhya International Ramayana and Vedic Research Institute, foreign troupes have been invited through the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR). Efforts are also underway to involve performers from additional countries, bringing diverse interpretations of the Ramayana to a common platform.
The initiative aims to strengthen cultural exchanges and highlight the Ramayana’s enduring influence across geographical boundaries. Devotees, tourists and cultural enthusiasts visiting Ayodhya will have the opportunity to experience different regional styles of storytelling and theatrical performances during the two-day programme.
Yogi Highlights Ayodhya’s Cultural Revival
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath recently shared his enthusiasm for the festival on social media, describing Ayodhya as a sacred city preparing to welcome its 10th grand Deepotsav.
He said the illuminated banks of the Saryu, tableaux depicting episodes from the Ramayana, grand processions and cultural performances would recreate memories of the Treta Yuga. Each lamp, he noted, symbolises devotion to Lord Ram and celebrates the pride of Sanatan culture.
The Chief Minister also highlighted the transformation of Ayodhya since 2017, stating that the city had witnessed a new phase of development and cultural revival under the guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the state government.
The Ram Temple, Maharishi Valmiki International Airport, the redeveloped Ram Path, renovated ghats and modern urban infrastructure have contributed to Ayodhya’s emergence as a destination combining religious heritage with contemporary amenities. The city’s development as a solar-powered urban centre is another part of this transformation.
From 1.71 Lakh Diyas to a Global Celebration
Recalling the festival’s beginnings in 2017, Yogi Adityanath said Deepotsav had grown from an initial lighting of 1.71 lakh earthen lamps into a major celebration attracting widespread national and international attention.
The annual festival has become a prominent expression of devotion, cultural identity and Ayodhya’s renewed prominence. This year’s celebrations are expected to continue the tradition of large-scale lamp lighting, alongside performances that bring together India’s diverse regional interpretations of the Ramayana.
With its blend of devotional ceremonies, international cultural participation and the illumination of the Saryu riverfront, Deepotsav 2026 is set to underline Ayodhya’s growing role as a centre of religious tourism and cultural exchange.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?si=RtToJsBhYBatUrym&v=mOuYNSdhjHA&feature=youtu.be
