Ayodhya Deepotsav at a glance
Deepotsav is the festival of lamps in Ayodhya. Rows of small oil lamps are lit along the Saryu riverfront in the days around Diwali, and the river and its steps become the stage for the whole festival.
Deepotsav and Diwali are related, but they are not the same event on the same day. In 2026 the calendar date is 6 November and the programme may run for several days, while Diwali itself falls on 8 November. If you want to see the lamps, plan for a window rather than a single evening. If you would like to join a guided day around the festival, our Ayodhya tour packages page explains what a tour can and cannot include.
Deepotsav 2026 dates
What is firm and what depends on the final programme.
| Item | Date | What it means for you |
|---|---|---|
| Calendar date | 6 November 2026 | The date of Ayodhya Deepotsav 2026 in the festival calendar |
| Possible festival days | About 6 to 11 November 2026 | Events can be spread across several evenings |
| Diwali | 8 November 2026 | Falls inside the festival, but is a separate occasion |
| Main lamp-lighting evening | – | Set by the final programme, so keep a few evenings open |
| Record display | 19 October 2025 | Belongs to last year's festival, not to 2026 |
For most visitors, the safest plan is to arrive by 5 November and keep 6 to 8 November free. That way you do not depend on one fixed evening.
Our pick: a private tour with a boat ride
This is a general Ayodhya tour, not a Deepotsav ticket; it gives you a private guide and a boat ride on a day you choose.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in US dollars (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Ayodhya tours around Deepotsav
Temple tours, riverfront walks and day trips from Ayodhya, with live prices and availability.
What happens at Deepotsav
The lamps, the record and the planned shows.
The lamps
Lamps are set out in rows at the water's edge along the Saryu riverfront. After dark the whole riverfront glows. A single floating lamp on the water is often the picture people remember.
Saryu ghats guide →The 2025 record
Guinness World Records recognised a display of 2,617,215 oil lamps on 19 October 2025, achieved by UP Tourism together with Dr. Rammanohar Lohia Avadh University. That figure belongs to the 2025 festival. No record for 2026 can be promised.
Drones, projections and lasers
Drone, projection and laser elements are planned for 2026. Whether they run on a given evening, and where visitors can watch from, is set closer to the date.
Crowds and volunteers
The 2025 display needed a very large number of volunteers and a large event area. Expect long walks and slow movement near the river on the main evenings.
Planning an evening at the lamps
Practical points for the days around the festival.
- Entry and seating: Rules for entry, passes, parking and viewing areas for 2026 are set close to the date. Check the current programme before you go and do not rely on a fixed seat.
- Weather: Historic averages for November are mild: highs around 29.6 °C, lows around 13.5 °C and very little rain, about 3.3 mm for the month. Evenings by the river feel cooler, so bring a light layer.
- Timing: Arrive well before dark. Road and parking arrangements around the riverfront are set close to the date, so allow extra time to get there.
- Boats: Boat rides depend on the water level and local rules, so treat them as a bonus, not a plan.
- Temples: Combine the festival with daytime visits. See the Ram Mandir darshan timings for the temple and keep in mind that timings change with the season.
Weather and temple hours around the festival
Climate averages for the months either side of Deepotsav.
| Month | Average high | Average low | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|
| October | 32.9 °C | 20.0 °C | 51.2 mm |
| November | 29.6 °C | 13.5 °C | 3.3 mm |
| December | 25.1 °C | 8.7 °C | 9.3 mm |
These are historic climate averages, not a forecast. Mornings and nights are cool, so a warm layer helps on the riverfront after dark.
The Ram Mandir moves to a winter timetable from 1 November 2026. The temple doors open at 04:00 and close at 22:00, and general darshan starts at 07:00. Opening of the doors and the start of general darshan are different times, so do not arrive at 04:00 expecting to enter. Check the temple administration's current notices before you go.
Plan the rest of your trip
Where the festival fits.
Ayodhya Deepotsav: frequently asked questions
When is Ayodhya Deepotsav in 2026?
The calendar date is 6 November 2026, and the programme may run to about 11 November. Diwali itself is on 8 November.
Is Deepotsav the same as Diwali?
No. Deepotsav is the lamp festival in Ayodhya, held around Diwali. Diwali has its own date, 8 November in 2026.
Will there be a new lamp record in 2026?
That cannot be promised. The recognised record of 2,617,215 lamps belongs to 19 October 2025.
Do I need a pass or ticket to see the lamps?
Arrangements for entry, passes and viewing areas are set close to the festival. Check the current programme before you travel.
Which evening should I plan for?
The main lamp-lighting evening depends on the final programme. Keep two or three evenings between 6 and 8 November open.