Lucknow, 23 Sept (HS): To make the 2026 Deepotsav in

Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh, more grand and innovative, this time the general public

and youth will also be involved. Tourism and Culture Minister Jaiveer Singh on

Wednesday directed officials to invite suggestions from the public regarding

Deepotsav through MyGov UP, so that new and better ideas can be incorporated

into the event.

He said that along with actively involving the youth in the

preparations for Deepotsav, they should be made the carriers and bearers of the

cultural traditions of the state. Tourism and Culture Minister Jaiveer Singh on

Wednesday reviewed the preparations for Deepotsav with Additional Chief

Secretary Tourism, Culture and Charitable Works Amrit Abhijat. Many important

points including cultural programs, facilities for devotees and tourists,

decoration of the city, security and traffic arrangements were discussed in the

meeting.

The meeting discussed plans to make Deepotsav 2026 the most

grand event ever, including lighting approximately 3 million lamps, decorating

the streets of Ayodhya and the banks of the Saryu River with Ramayana-themed

decorations, and increasing the participation of people from India and abroad.

Minister Jaiveer Singh said that youth should be actively involved in the

preparations for Deepotsav and made the bearers of our cultural traditions.

This time, 2,100 drone shows will be one of the major

attractions of Deepotsav. In the meeting, it was proposed to organize the drone

show not only on the day of Deepotsav but also in the Jamghat to be held two

days later, so that local people and tourists get an opportunity to see it

again. Apart from this, 3D projection, laser show and musical green fireworks

will also be a part of the event along with live performances. There is a plan

to invite Tourism and Culture Ministers or their representatives of various

countries to increase participation at the international level. NRIs will also

be invited to participate in Deepotsav through Indian embassies and ambassadors

in more than 30 countries.

Additional Chief Secretary Amrit Abhijat directed the

development of selfie points that would not disrupt pedestrian movement. He

also asked for roadside installations based on the various chapters of the

Ramayana to provide a simple, one-line narrative, so that even young children

can easily understand it.

The meeting also discussed the proposal to build 10 entry

gates based on Ramayana on the Dharmapath. Besides, there are plans to build

three more Ramayana gates on the main routes leading to Ayodhya, including the

Sultanpur and Raebareli routes. A proposal to install a permanent Pushpak

Vimana in the Saryu River was also put forward. During Deepotsav, there are

plans to have a collective Saryu Aarti performed by over 2,100 monks, lamps lit

in over 240 temples and monasteries, and 25 major intersections decorated with

the cooperation of industry and trade organizations, so that the festive

atmosphere can permeate the city's major areas and public places.

The meeting also discussed arrangements for lighting lamps,

coordinating volunteers, and using artificial intelligence to count the number

of devotees. The district administration, Shri Ayodhyaji Teerth Vikas Parishad,

and Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia Avadh University will participate in the

preparations. Emphasis was also placed on security, cleanliness, power supply,

road repair, and timely completion of ongoing works in the Ram Ki Paidi area. A

list of 284 development projects from various departments was also reviewed.

The total cost of these projects is Rs. 5,452.79 crore.

Hindusthan Samachar / Abhishek Awasthi