Ayodhya Gears Up for Grand Deepotsav From November 5 to 8

Ayodhya, September 5 : Ayodhya is set to host a grand 10th Deepotsav this year, with the district administration intensifying preparations to ensure the festival and the Kartik Purnima Mela are organised in a safe, well-managed and grand manner.

In a review meeting chaired by District Magistrate Shashank Tripathi, department-wise preparations for the two major events were assessed. The District Magistrate directed officials to complete all arrangements within the stipulated time and ensure better facilities and convenience for devotees.

According to the scheduled programme, a series of religious, cultural and spiritual events will be organised from November 5 to 8. Govatsa Dwadashi will be observed on November 5, followed by Dhanteras on November 6. November 7 will witness events associated with Mas Shivratri, Narak Chaturdashi, Chhoti Deepawali and Hanuman Jayanti, while Deepawali will be celebrated on November 8.

As part of Deepotsav celebrations, processions and tableaux will be taken out from Saket Mahavidyalaya. Arrangements for trolley trucks, stages and other facilities are being made for the event. A helipad near Ramkatha Park has also been proposed.

Ramkatha Park will host worship of the Shri Ram-Sita forms, exhibitions, inauguration programmes, Ramlila performances and cultural presentations. Arrangements for stages, decorations, flowers and other facilities will also be made at the Saryu Aarti site.

Ram Ki Paidi and other prominent locations will be decorated according to the Deepotsav theme. The preparations include painting of Swarg Dwar, special cleaning of Ram Ki Paidi, lamp decorations at religious sites, floral chains, flower pots, repair of railings at ghats and extensive lighting arrangements.

The administration will make arrangements for transportation, resting places, medical facilities, drinking water, toilets, sanitation and lighting for devotees and tourists arriving from across the country and abroad.

For effective crowd management, floating zones, barricading, CCTV surveillance and traffic management systems will be strengthened. Arrangements will also be made for a media centre and issuance of press passes.

Preparations for the upcoming Parikrama and Kartik Purnima Mela have also begun. Chaudahkosi Parikrama and Akshaya Navami will be observed on November 18, 2026. The parikrama will begin at 1:10 a.m. on the intervening night of November 17 and 18 and continue until 2:55 a.m. on the intervening night of November 18 and 19.

Panchkosi Parikrama and Ekadashi will be observed on November 20, with the parikrama scheduled to begin at 3:01 a.m. on November 20 and continue until 2:37 a.m. on November 21.

Kartik Purnima Snan and Guru Nanak Jayanti will be observed on November 24. The prescribed bathing period will begin at 10:48 p.m. on November 23 and continue until 8:52 p.m. on November 24.

In view of the expected increase in the number of devotees, the administration will arrange additional buses, temporary bus stands and special trains. Railway stations will be provided with enhanced cleanliness, drinking water, lighting and barricading facilities. Parking sites will be identified, while traffic and crowd-control arrangements will be strengthened.

The Police Department will deploy adequate personnel and oversee water police operations, motor boats, fire services and traffic management.

District Magistrate Shashank Tripathi said Deepotsav, the Parikrama and the Kartik Purnima Mela are major events associated with Ayodhya's religious and cultural identity. He emphasised that providing devotees with a safe, clean and convenient environment remains the administration's priority.

He directed all departments to complete their assigned works within the stipulated time through close coordination.