• More than 30 lakh diyas set to illuminate 56 ghats along the Saryu River.
• The 10th Deepotsav features cultural programmes and Ramayana performances.
• Vice President CP Radhakrishnan, Governor Anandiben Patel and CM Yogi Adityanath attend.
• Yogi Adityanath recalls the Ram Janmabhoomi movement and calls for an apology to devotees and saints.

GG News Bureau
Ayodhya, 8th Nov: The 10th edition of Ayodhya Deepotsav illuminated the city on Saturday, with more than 30 lakh earthen lamps set to light up 56 ghats along the banks of the Saryu River. The celebrations brought together thousands of visitors, cultural performers and dignitaries to mark the occasion.

The illuminated ghats presented a spectacular display of devotion and tradition, highlighting Ayodhya’s spiritual and cultural heritage. The festivities included a series of cultural performances and a light-and-sound show, drawing large crowds to the riverfront.

Artists also staged episodes from the Ramayana, bringing key moments from the epic to life through elaborate performances. Preparations for the event had been underway for several days.

Vice President CP Radhakrishnan, Uttar Pradesh Governor Anandiben Patel and Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath attended the celebrations, along with saints and other prominent guests.

Addressing the gathering, Vice President Radhakrishnan spoke about the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. He described Ayodhya as a spiritual city and said the Ram temple had become a monument of Hindu self-respect.

“Today, after the darshan at the temple, I feel proud that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and CM Yogi Adityanath, the Ram temple is now a monument of our entire Hindu self-respect,” he said.

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath addressed a gathering at Ram Katha Park after performing aarti and offering prayers to Lord Ram and Goddess Janaki. He spoke about Ayodhya’s transformation and recalled the decades-long Ram Janmabhoomi movement, highlighting the sacrifices of kar sevaks and saints.

Referring to the city’s infrastructure development, Adityanath said Ayodhya now has an international airport named after Maharishi Valmiki, contrasting it with the past when, according to him, an airport could not be built there.

The Chief Minister also criticised those who had opposed the Ram Janmabhoomi movement and called on them to apologise to devotees and saints for past actions.

“Let them apologise to the devotees of Lord Ram; let them apologise to the saints. Let them repent for their past actions,” he said.

The five-day Diwali celebrations began with Dhanteras on November 6, followed by Choti Diwali on November 7. The main festival and Lakshmi Puja will take place on November 8, followed by Govardhan Puja on November 9 and Bhai Dooj on November 10.