Ayodhya has been adorned with flowers and dazzling lights ahead of Diwali, with the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Temple emerging as a major attraction for devotees and tourists arriving from across the country for the festival of lights.
The temple premises, including its courtyard and the main entrance leading to Ram Lalla, have been decorated with elaborate floral arrangements and colourful lighting. All entrances to the temple have been adorned with flowers, while special selfie points have also been set up for visitors.
The festive arrangements come as Ayodhya prepares to celebrate the 10th edition of Deepotsav on Saturday, with Vice-President C.P. Radhakrishnan and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath scheduled to participate in the celebrations.
In the presence of religious leaders and revered saints, the Vice-President will formally inaugurate Deepotsav 2026. Uttar Pradesh Governor Anandiben Patel and Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath will also attend the event.
As part of the celebrations, 56 ghats along the Saryu River will be illuminated with millions of earthen lamps, while the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Temple will be lit up with colourful lights. A symbolic lighting ceremony featuring 101 lamps will also be organised in the temple courtyard.
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath is scheduled to participate in several programmes, including the ceremonial welcome of Lord Ram, the symbolic coronation ceremony, Saryu Aarti and the lighting of earthen lamps.
According to the proposed schedule, Adityanath will arrive at the helipad near Ram Katha Park at around 2.40 pm. He will witness the Deepotsav tableaux and participate in the chariot-pulling ceremony. He is also scheduled to shower flower petals over Ayodhya from a helicopter carrying representations of Lord Ram, Goddess Sita and Lakshman.
The symbolic coronation ceremony will follow, after which the Chief Minister will address saints, religious leaders, residents and devotees at an event organised at Ram Katha Park.
He will subsequently proceed to Ram Ki Paidi to participate in the Saryu Aarti and the ceremonial lighting of lamps.
Projection mapping depicting the life and story of Lord Ram, along with laser and drone shows, will be among the major attractions of this year’s celebrations.
The 2026 edition of Ayodhya Deepotsav marks the 10th anniversary of the grand festival, being organised a day ahead of Diwali on Sunday.
(IANS Inputs)
