Yogi Adityanath said Ayodhya's Deepotsav is creating livelihoods for local workers and traders. He linked the festival's cultural revival with inclusive growth and community support.The chief minister also urged people to help disadvantaged families celebrate Diwali.

Lucknow,Nov 2, 2026 12:31 ISTUttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Monday said Ayodhya's Deepotsav was strengthening both faith and the local economy by creating livelihood opportunities for potters, farmers, labourers and small traders, news agency Press Trust of India reported.Adityanath said every lamp lit during the festival brought hope to a family, while claiming that no such effort had been made before 2017 to use Ayodhya's cultural potential to support local livelihoods.In a post on X in Hindi, he said, “The grand Deepotsav of Shri Ayodhya Dham is infusing new energy not only into faith but also into the economy. Every lamp lit here is casting new light on the labour of a potter, the produce of a farmer, and the livelihood of a family.”“But before the year 2017, this light was absent.

No initiative was taken to connect the immense cultural potential of Ram Nagari with the prosperity of local artisans, farmers, and small traders. There was a complete absence of vision to transform the power of faith into new opportunities for livelihood.

The double-engine government has dispelled this darkness,” he said. Under the guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the festival, illuminated by millions of lamps, was creating new work and business opportunities for potters, labourers and small traders, Adityanath added.“The very diya (earthen lamp) that makes Ram Nagari sparkle also kindles hope for prosperity in the home of a hardworking family.

Such is our Deepotsav... Jai Jai Shri Ram,” PTI quoted him as saying on X.

In another Hindi post on X, Adityanath highlighted Ayodhya's spiritual importance and invited people to visit the city to witness the Deepotsav celebrations. He also shared a letter titled “Yogi Kee Paatee”, addressed to the people of Uttar Pradesh.“My esteemed fellow citizens of the state, the foremost among the seven sacred cities, Shri Ayodhya Dham, is thrilled to welcome its 10th grand and divine Deepotsav.

Deepotsav symbolises the journey from darkness to light, despair to hope, and faith to progress. It is not merely the lighting of lamps, but a grand festival of the revival of India's eternal consciousness and cultural pride,” he said.Describing the celebrations, Adityanath said, “The garland of lamps adorning the banks of Mother Saryu, and the twinkling of millions of lamps on Ram ki Paidi, seem as if the Akash Ganga (Milky Way) has descended upon Ayodhya.” He added that drone displays and the participation of artists added to the festival's splendour.The chief minister also urged people to help disadvantaged families celebrate Diwali. “I particularly wish to urge each one of you: if there is any deprived family in your neighbourhood, illuminate their Diwali according to your means.

Gift them lamps, sweets, and new clothes to bring joy into their lives. This is the true spirit of Deepotsav.

By purchasing lamps and products from local artisans, encourage their hard work,” he said.Adityanath said the 10th Deepotsav in Ayodhya would celebrate faith and cultural pride while supporting local artisans, farmers, labourers and small businesses, and urged people to include disadvantaged families in the Diwali festivities.- Ends