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An official statement by the Uttar Pradesh government said the Deepotsav celebration has increased Ayodhya\u2019s appeal both nationally and internationally. \u201dAs a result, the number of tourists visiting Ayodhya has been steadily rising. While domestic tourists make up a large portion, foreign tourists\u2019 interest in the sacred city of Lord Shri Ram has also grown,\u201d it said.<\/p>\n
According to the Uttar Pradesh Tourism Department, tourist inflow has risen over the years, from 1.78 crore visitors in 2017 \u2014 the first year of Deepotsav celebrations \u2014 to about 1.95 crore in 2018, 2.05 crore in 2019. It saw a dip in 2020 to about 61 lakh visitors due to the pandemic, and an increase again to about 1.57 crore in 2021, 2.39 crore in 2022, 5.75 crore in 2023, and 16.44 crore in 2024. These numbers reflect both domestic and international tourists.<\/p>\n
\nThe number of foreign visitors to the holy city shows a similar uptick. This year, it added up to about 50,000 between January and June.<\/p>\n
Backed by \u201drobust infrastructure\u201d, four-lane and six-lane highways, a world-class airport, and a modern railway station, Ayodhya has emerged as a \u201dsymbol of both spiritual resurgence and economic growth\u201d under the Yogi Adityanath government, the UP government said in the statement.<\/p>\n
The growth trend shows Ayodhya\u2019s renewed global prominence following the construction of the Ram temple, officials said, adding that the rising number of devotees has also generated thousands of local employment opportunities.<\/p>\n
Crediting the Deepotsav tradition, the statement said Ayodhya is now a \u201dmajor global pilgrimage and tourism hub\u201d.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, extending a warm welcome to the visitors and devotees in the city, the office of the UP chief minister said in a post on X in Hindi, Ayodhya is ready for the grand and divine Deepotsav-2025.<\/p>\n
A statement said following a collaboration between Dr Ram Manohar Lohia Avadh University and the Ayodhya district administration, preparations have been completed to make Deepotsav 2025 a \u201dhistoric event\u201d.<\/p>\n
Nearly 33,000 volunteers will play a key role in this event, lighting over 26 lakh lamps to set a Guinness world record, officials said.<\/p>\n
The university\u2019s VC Colonel Bijendra Singh said in a statement, \u201dThis Deepotsav will be extraordinary and unforgettable. The message of equality and harmony will reach the entire world from Ayodhya, the birthplace of Lord Shri Ram.\u201d He said that a team of over 2,000 university members has been deployed at 56 ghats along the Saryu river.<\/p>\n
Sant Sharan Mishra, the nodal officer for Deepotsav, said a Guinness Book of World Records team is counting the number of diyas on a ghat-wise basis, and about 28 lakh diyas have already been arranged.<\/p>\n
At Ghat no. 10, university volunteers created a huge symbol of \u2019Swastika\u2019 with 80,000 diyas, conveying a message of auspiciousness, he said.<\/p>\n
Officials said tight security arrangements have been made, and entry without ID cards will not be permitted on the ghats.<\/p>\n
Ayodhya District Magistrate Nikhil Tikaram Funde said after Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath\u2019s programme this evening, a laser show, light and sound show, and drone show will be organised at Ram Ki Paidi from around 8:30 pm.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n