Ayodhya Deepotsav World Record: Light, Faith and Pride Shine Together
Ayodhya (UP), October 19, 2025 | The Ayodhya Deepotsav world record lit up India’s temple town on Saturday as the city achieved two Guinness World Records — one for lighting 26.17 lakh diyas and another for the largest group aarti performed by 2,128 devotees at once. The grand event symbolised not only devotion but also Ayodhya’s rising global identity as the epicentre of India’s spiritual and cultural heritage.
The Reason Behind the Celebration
This year’s Ayodhya Deepotsav world record was organised a few weeks ahead of Diwali to commemorate the return of Lord Ram to Ayodhya — a celebration that has grown in both faith and scale since 2017. Officials said the event’s timing was deliberate, coinciding with the post-consecration period of the newly inaugurated Ram Mandir, marking a new era for the temple city.
“The Deepotsav this year reflects Ayodhya’s transformation from faith to pride, from culture to identity,” said UP Tourism Minister Jaiveer Singh. “Every diya lit here symbolises a developed Uttar Pradesh and a developed India.”
Guinness Recognises Ayodhya Deepotsav World Record
Representatives from Guinness World Records verified the count through drones before presenting certificates to Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. The first recognition was awarded for the largest display of oil lamps (26,17,215 diyas)achieved jointly by the Uttar Pradesh Tourism Department, Ayodhya administration, and Rammanohar Lohia Avadh University.
The second record was for the largest simultaneous aarti, conducted by the Tourism Department, District Administration, and Saryu Aarti Samiti. The synchronised aarti by 2,128 devotees illuminated the riverfront in divine harmony, symbolising collective faith and unity.
The Scale of Growth Since 2017
The number of diyas lit each year has steadily increased since Yogi Adityanath became Chief Minister. The government’s data shows the Deepotsav grew from 1.71 lakh diyas in 2017, to 3.01 lakh (2018), 4.04 lakh (2019), 6.06 lakh (2020), 9.41 lakh (2021), 15.76 lakh (2022), 22.23 lakh (2023), and 25.12 lakh (2024) — culminating in the 26.17 lakh record this year.
Officials said this growth represents not only better coordination but also the growing participation of volunteers and citizens in celebrating Ayodhya’s heritage.
Faith, Development, and National Identity
Beyond the shimmering visuals, the Ayodhya Deepotsav world record carried a deeper message — merging spirituality with the state’s development vision. The event is part of Uttar Pradesh’s larger cultural tourism strategy, turning Ayodhya into an international destination for pilgrims and travellers alike.
Thousands of volunteers, students, and residents participated in lighting the lamps and organising the aarti. Drone visuals of the glowing Ram Ki Paidi quickly went viral, reinforcing Ayodhya’s image as the “city of eternal light” and a symbol of Ram Rajya.
Ayodhya’s Message to the World
The scale and timing of the event underscore the Yogi Adityanath government’s vision of cultural diplomacy through festivals. “Deepotsav is now more than a festival,” Minister Singh said. “It’s a symbol of India’s spiritual capital leading the way to a Viksit Bharat.”
As the light of over 26 lakh diyas reflected on the Saryu River, Ayodhya’s message was unmistakable — the Ayodhya Deepotsav world record stands as both a spiritual triumph and a declaration of India’s timeless unity.
