Ayodhya : With the construction of the Ram Temple underway in Ayodhya, the capital of Lord Shri Ram, the enthusiasm of devotees is at its peak. Media reports claim that this year the number of devotees visiting Ayodhya has been broken. From January to June 2025, more than 230 million devotees visited for darshan. This number is expected to increase further during the Deepotsav (Festival of Lights) to be held on the occasion of Diwali. The Ayodhya administration is busy making special arrangements for the Deepotsav. Tight security measures have also been put in place in anticipation of the large crowds of devotees. This year, 28 lakh lamps will be lit on the 56 ghats of the Saryu River during the Deepotsav festival, adding to the grandeur of Ayodhya.
The Deepotsav festival began in Ayodhya in 2017. During this period, 1,78,32,717 Indian and 25,141 foreign tourists visited Ayodhya. Thus, in the year 2017, a total of 1,78,57,858 devotees visited Ramnagari for darshan and puja. In the second year of Deepotsav in 2018, 1,95,34,824 Indians and 28,335 foreign nationals visited Ramnagari. Thus, a total of 1,95,63,159 people visited Ayodhya for darshan and puja in the year 2018. Similarly, in the year 2019, a total of 2,04,91,724 devotees including 2,04,63,403 Indians and 38,321 foreigners visited Ayodhya. In the year 2020, due to Corona, there was a decrease in the number of tourists. This year, a total of 61,96,148 tourists including 61,93,537 Indians and 2,611 foreigners reached Ayodhya. In 2021, 15,743,359 Indian and 31 foreign tourists visited Ayodhya.
In 2021, a total of 15,743,390 pilgrims visited Ayodhya. Similarly, in 2022, 23,909,014 Indian and 1,465 foreign tourists visited Ayodhya, bringing the total to 23,910,479. In 2023, 57,562,428 Indian and 8,468 foreign tourists visited Ayodhya, bringing the total to 57,570,896 pilgrims. In 2024, 16,43,93,474 Indian and 26,048 foreign tourists visited Ayodhya, bringing the total to 16,44,19,522.
Meanwhile, from January to June 2025, a total of 23,82,14,737 devotees, including 23,81,64,744 Indians and 49,993 foreigners, visited Ayodhya.
During the festival of lights, on Sunday, October 19th, 28 lakh lamps will be lit on 56 ghats of the Saryu River. A Swastika will be formed with 80,000 lamps at Ghat No. 10. 33,000 volunteers have been deployed for this purpose. Each diya has been provided with a bottle of mustard oil to fill the lamps. All volunteers have been instructed to wear cotton clothes, and no one will be allowed entry without an identity card.