Ayodhya Deepotsav 2026: Dates, Saryu Ghat Rituals and How to Visit

On the evening of November 7, 2026, more than 26 lakh earthen diyas are planned to be lit along the banks of the Saryu in Ayodhya — a world-record attempt at the largest display of oil lamps, in the city where Lord Ram's homecoming is believed to have happened. This is the 10th edition of Ayodhya's Deepotsav, and it is not a one-evening show: the district administration has scheduled religious, cultural and spiritual programmes from November 5 to 8, spanning Govatsa Dwadashi, Dhanteras, Narak Chaturdashi, Chhoti Deepawali and Deepawali itself. Preparations on the ground are already intense — ghat cleaning, painting of Swarg Dwar, railing repairs, CCTV upgrades and a proposed helipad near Ramkatha Park — and the city expects its biggest footfall yet. This is the visitor's field guide: which ghats to be on, when the diya lighting happens, how darshan at the new Ram Mandir fits around it, and how to plan crowds, parking and stays.

Deepotsav 2026 dates and the day-by-day rhythm

The official window is November 5 to 8. November 6 opens with the grand Shobha Yatra — a Ramayana tableau procession from Saket Mahavidyalaya (Saket College) to Ram Katha Park — while November 7 is the main event: the diya lighting across Ram Ki Paidi and the Saryu ghats, followed by the Saryu Maha Aarti, a 3D hologram projection and a mega drone show reported at over 500 drones depicting Ramayana scenes. November 8, Diwali day itself, begins with diyas at the sanctum of the Ram Janmabhoomi Mandir and ends with city-wide fireworks.

For context on scale: Deepotsav 2025 set two Guinness World Records — the largest display of oil lamps (26,17,215 diyas lit by the tourism department, district administration and city authorities) and the most people performing simultaneous diya rotations. This year's target is to go bigger than that, with Avadh University volunteers drafted to help arrange the lamps. The celebrations continue into the Kartik season afterwards: Chaudahkosi Parikrama falls on November 18, Panchkosi Parikrama on November 20 and the Kartik Purnima Snan on November 24.

Which ghats to be on — and how the e-pass works

Ram Ki Paidi is the main event ghat: the diya lighting, the grand aarti and the drone show all centre there, and it is the one viewing zone where entry logistics matter most. Here is the mistake to avoid: unregistered visitors who reach the Saryu bank late on the main event day routinely end up at ghats hundreds of metres from Ram Ki Paidi — close enough to see the glow and hear the chanting, but too far to make out the drone formations, which read clearly only from the main event area. For 2026, registration was reported to open September 1, 2026 on the UP Tourism official portal; entry is free but an official e-pass is required for the main event zones.

Register early, and plan to reach Ram Ki Paidi several hours before dusk — barricading, floating zones and traffic diversions will be tight on the day. The illumination stretches from Ram Ki Paidi to Ramkatha Park, so the riverside between the two is the golden viewing corridor. For the confirmed official schedule and entry rules, check the Ayodhya Deepotsav 2026 arrangements coverage and the diya lighting plan for November 7.

“more than 26 lakh earthen diyas are planned to be lit along the banks of the Saryu in Ayodhya — a world-record attempt at the largest display of oil lamps”

Fitting in Ram Mandir darshan

Darshan at the Ram Mandir during Deepotsav week needs its own plan because the same crowds fill both the ghats and the temple. The practical sequence: do your Ram Mandir darshan on November 5 or the morning of November 6, before the processions and the main diya event take over the city. Devotees typically pair it with Hanuman Garhi, Kanak Bhawan and the evening Saryu Aarti at Ram Ki Paidi on non-main-event evenings.

On November 7, dedicate yourself entirely to the ghats — arrive early, stay through the aarti, hologram show and drone display, and leave only after the crowd thins. Note that additional buses, temporary bus stands and special trains are being planned for the expected influx, so rail and road arrival should be booked ahead; see our Diwali special-train playbook if you are travelling by rail.

Beyond the ghats: Ramlila, exhibitions and the cultural programme

Deepotsav is a four-day cultural festival, not just a diya evening. Ramkatha Park hosts Ramlila performances, classical music and dance, art exhibitions and ceremonial events through the week, while the illumination programme stretches from Ram Ki Paidi to Ramkatha Park with lamp displays at the major religious sites across the city. The processions and tableaux that begin at Saket Mahavidyalaya wind through the old city, so even a daytime walk between the temple and the river becomes a moving performance.

If you arrive on November 5, spend that first day on this cultural circuit — the exhibitions, the lit-up ghats in the evening, the old-city lanes — and keep November 6 for the Shobha Yatra route. Families with children often find the Ramkatha Park evening shows the most accessible part of the festival: seated, scheduled, and far less crowded than the riverbank on the main night.

Crowds, parking and stays: the honest logistics

Ayodhya fills up fast during Deepotsav. Hotel and dharamshala inventory is being consumed weeks ahead — this is a book-now city, not a walk-in city, and overflow options stretch to Faizabad and even Lucknow for day-trippers. Vehicles are stopped well before the ghats during peak hours, so expect the final approach on foot from designated parking areas; the administration is enhancing traffic systems, barricading and CCTV coverage, which means more security checkpoints and slower movement.

Carry water, keep your phone charged, and note the emergency and lost-and-found points the administration sets up each year near Ramkatha Park and the ghats. Families with elderly travellers should pick accommodation on the temple side of the diversions to minimise walking. And one final tip from every past edition: the Saryu Maha Aarti and the diya lighting are weather and crowd dependent — the riverbank experience is unmissable, but the city's lamps, processions and cultural shows at Ramkatha Park make the trip worthwhile even if you miss the front row at Ram Ki Paidi.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the Ayodhya Deepotsav 2026 dates?

The 10th edition runs November 5 to 8, 2026. The main diya lighting and world-record attempt is on November 7 (Chhoti Diwali/Narak Chaturdashi), with the Shobha Yatra on November 6 and Diwali-day celebrations on November 8.

How many diyas will be lit at Deepotsav 2026?

Over 26 lakh earthen diyas are planned for November 7, targeting a new Guinness World Record. The 2025 edition set the standing record with 26,17,215 diyas.

Is there an entry fee or pass for Deepotsav?

Entry is free, but an official e-pass is mandatory for the main event zones at Ram Ki Paidi. Registration was reported to open September 1, 2026 via the UP Tourism official portal — register well before November.

Can I do Ram Mandir darshan during Deepotsav week?

Yes — plan darshan for November 5 or the morning of November 6, before the main crowds arrive for the November 7 diya event. Keep November 7 entirely for the ghats.

Where should I stay in Ayodhya for Deepotsav?

Book as early as possible; the city fills up fast. Choose accommodation on the temple side of the traffic diversions to reduce walking, and consider Faizabad or Lucknow day-trips as overflow options.

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