Vice-President Radhakrishnan in Ayodhya for 10th Deepotsav, to pray at Ram temple

Vice-President C P Radhakrishnan reaches Ayodhya on Saturday to take part in the 10th edition of Deepotsav, the festival of lights held in the city a day before Diwali, which falls on Sunday.

According to an official statement, he will offer prayers at the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi temple and take part in a symbolic coronation ceremony of Lord Ram. He will also felicitate revered saints. The arrangements say he, Uttar Pradesh Governor Anandiben Patel and Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath will jointly perform the aarti of Ramlala at the temple.

The festival

Organisers aim to light 30 to 33 lakh earthen diyas across 56 ghats, with Ram Ki Paidi and the Saryu riverbanks as the main centre. The 2026 edition began on Thursday, when the riverbanks were lit with lakhs of lamps.

The programme includes a drone show of 2,100 drones depicting episodes from the Ramayana, cultural performances by artists from five countries, and a Saryu Maha Aarti with 2,147 participants. A special exhibition at Ram Katha Park covers Ayodhya’s 500-year history, the Ram temple movement and the city’s transformation.

Welcoming the Vice-President in a post on X on Saturday, Adityanath said his presence “will make this festival of lights historic and unforgettable”. He also welcomed ambassadors, high commissioners and diplomats from several countries, and pointed to the lighting of over 30 lakh lamps along the Saryu.

Politics of the festival

Earlier this week the Chief Minister described Deepotsav as a boost to the economy as well as to faith, tying each lit diya to the work of potters, farmers and local families. He credited the guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi for creating jobs and business for potters, labourers and small traders, and said the “double-engine government has dispelled this darkness”.

No exact timings for the ceremonies or the Vice-President’s arrival were given in the official statement.