Light a diya at home when lamps illuminate Ram Janmabhoomi, Yogi Adityanath tells people

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister says Ayodhya is ready for its 10th Deepotsav, describing the festival as a celebration of faith, cultural pride and the revival of Sanatan consciousness.

In Short

• Lakhs of earthen lamps will illuminate Ayodhya along the Saryu River
• The festival welcomes Vice President, diplomats, distinguished guests and millions of devotees
• Deepotsav was kicked off in 2017 and grew into a cultural identity celebration

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has urged people to light diyas in their homes and courtyards as Ayodhya prepares for its 10th Deepotsav, saying the celebrations at the Ram Janmabhoomi should be accompanied by the lighting of lamps across the state.

“When diyas are lit at Shri Ram Janmabhoomi, you should also light diyas in your respective homes and courtyards,” Adityanath said in a post on X on Friday, extending Diwali greetings to people and congratulating them on the 10th edition of Deepotsav.

Describing Ayodhya as being decked up for the celebrations, the chief minister called the festival a confluence of joy, pride and devotion. He said the city, situated on the banks of the Saryu, was preparing to witness another grand celebration, with lakhs of earthen lamps set to illuminate the holy town.

“Every particle of Awadhpuri is filled with joy and vibrant with devotion today,” he said, describing the event as a moment that brings together the faith of millions of devotees and the anticipation surrounding the sacred city.

Adityanath also welcomed the Vice President, ambassadors, high commissioners, diplomats from friendly countries, distinguished guests and devotees arriving in Ayodhya for the celebrations. He said their presence would make the festival, which represents social harmony, cultural unity and the idea of ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’, historic and memorable.

The chief minister described a diya as more than just an earthen lamp, calling it a symbol of awakening and consciousness.

“For ages, it has been teaching us that we do not have to fight darkness; we only have to light a single flame and darkness disappears,” he said.

Tracing the journey of Ayodhya’s Deepotsav, Adityanath said the initiative began in 2017 with a resolve taken on the banks of the Saryu and had since grown into a major celebration of India’s cultural identity.

He said the decade-long journey had gone beyond illuminating the city and setting records, becoming part of what he described as the revival of Sanatan culture and the restoration of national self-pride.

The lakhs of diyas lit at Ram Ki Paidi, he said, had not only dispelled darkness but also kindled a new light of faith, Antyodaya and local self-reliance.

Calling the 10th Deepotsav a celebration of faith, self-pride and the renaissance of Sanatan consciousness, Adityanath urged people to draw inspiration from the ideals of Lord Ram.

He said the larger goal should be to build a Ram Rajya where the benefits of development reach those at the last rung of society and the values of faith, social harmony and service continue to illuminate lives.

- Ends