Which Indian City Is Known as the Birthplace of Diwali’s Grandest Deepotsav? Know the Answer

Ayodhya in Uttar Pradesh is associated with the birthplace of Lord Rama. It organises a spectacular annual Deepotsav in which millions of earthen lamps illuminate the banks of the Saryu River. Ayodhya’s Deepotsav has also entered the Guinness World Records several times for lighting an extraordinary number of oil lamps at one location. Keep reading in detail.

Which City Is Famous for the Grandest Diwali Deepotsav?

Ayodhya is closely connected with the Ramayana and the traditional account of Lord Rama’s return after defeating Ravana.

Why Is Ayodhya Associated With Diwali?

Ayodhya holds a special place in Hindu tradition as the kingdom of Lord Rama. The Ramayana describes his return to the city after 14 years of exile and his victory over Ravana. The traditional stories says that residents welcomed Rama, Sita and Lakshmana by lighting lamps. The annual Deepotsav in Ayodhya brings this tradition to life through thousands and, in recent years, millions of diyas.

What Is Ayodhya Deepotsav?

Deepotsav is an annual festival of lights organised in Ayodhya around Diwali. The Uttar Pradesh government began organising the modern large-scale event in 2017 to celebrate the city’s cultural and religious heritage. The celebration includes several activities:

 Ayodhya Deepotsav Guinness World Record: How Many Diyas Were Lit?

The latest Guinness World Records entry for the largest display of oil lamps lists 2,617,215 lamps, achieved during Deepotsav on October 19, 2025.

What Other World Record Was Set During Ayodhya Deepotsav 2025?

Apart from the record for lighting oil lamps, Ayodhya’s 2025 Deepotsav also set a record for the largest group performing aarti simultaneously.

When Did Ayodhya’s Grand Deepotsav Start?

The modern large-scale Deepotsav celebration began in 2017. The first major event was organised on October 18, 2017, with 1,87,213 earthen lamps illuminated at Ram Ki Paidi.