VP Radhakrishnan to join Ayodhya Deepotsav 2026, 33 lakh diyas to light 56 ghats
Synopsis
Ayodhya's Deepotsav turns 10 this year — and Vice-President C.P. Radhakrishnan will be there for it. With organisers targeting 33 lakh earthen diyas across 56 ghats on the Saryu, Saturday's event is both a religious milestone and a showcase of a tradition that has grown from a state function into a nationally watched spectacle.
Key Takeaways
Radhakrishnan will visit Ayodhya on 7 November 2026 for Deepotsav 2026 .
He will offer prayers at the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Temple and participate in the symbolic coronation ceremony of Shri Ram .
Organisers aim to light 30 to 33 lakh earthen diyas across 56 ghats , centred at Ram Ki Paidi on the Saryu river .
This edition marks the 10th anniversary of Deepotsav, with Diwali falling on 8 November 2026 .
Radhakrishnan noted India's non-fossil fuel capacity has crossed 300 GW and that 65 lakh households have joined the PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana .
Vice-President C.P. Radhakrishnan will travel to Ayodhya on Saturday, 7 November 2026, to participate in Deepotsav 2026, according to an official statement. The visit marks the 10th anniversary of the grand festival of lights, held annually on the eve of Diwali.
What the Vice-President Will Do in Ayodhya
During his visit, Radhakrishnan will offer prayers at the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Temple and take part in the symbolic coronation ceremony of Shri Ram. He will also felicitate revered saints participating in the occasion, the official said.
Scale of Deepotsav 2026
Organisers are aiming to illuminate more than 30 to 33 lakh earthen diyas across 56 ghats in Ayodhya, with the primary centre at Ram Ki Paidi and along the banks of the Saryu river. If achieved, the lighting effort would continue a tradition that has grown considerably since the festival's first edition a decade ago. Diwali 2026 falls on Sunday, 8 November, making this year's Deepotsav its tenth consecutive staging.
Radhakrishnan's Remarks on Renewable Energy
A day before the Ayodhya visit, on Thursday, 5 November, Radhakrishnan addressed the valedictory session of the Bharat Renewable Energy Summit and Expo 2026 in New Delhi, where he highlighted India's energy transformation. He noted that India's non-fossil fuel-based installed capacity has crossed 300 gigawatts and that the country achieved 50 per cent of its installed electricity capacity from non-fossil fuel sources in 2025 — reportedly five years ahead of its stated commitment.
Radhakrishnan pointed out that solar power capacity has surged from under 3 gigawatts to over 170 gigawatts over a decade, a transformation he attributed to sound policies, private enterprise, and the collective efforts of states and citizens. He added that solar power, once several times more expensive than coal-based electricity, is now among the cheapest sources of electricity in India.
PM Surya Ghar Scheme Gains Ground
The Vice-President also noted that more than 65 lakh households have enrolled in the PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana, gaining access to affordable clean energy. He called India's renewable energy progress an exemplary achievement — not just for the country, but as a replicable model for the Global South.
With the Deepotsav marking its milestone tenth edition and a senior constitutional figure joining the celebrations, Saturday's event in Ayodhya is expected to draw significant national attention ahead of Diwali.
Point of View
And the choice to mark its tenth edition with a senior constitutional figure is a deliberate signal of institutional endorsement. Meanwhile, Radhakrishnan's remarks on renewable energy at the summit deserve separate attention: India hitting 50 per cent non-fossil installed capacity five years ahead of schedule is a genuinely consequential data point that tends to get buried under the festival coverage. That juxtaposition — ceremony and substance — defines much of what the Vice-Presidential office looks like in 2026.
NationPress
6 Nov 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Deepotsav 2026 and when is it?
Deepotsav 2026 is the annual festival of lights held in Ayodhya on the eve of Diwali, scheduled for Saturday, 7 November 2026. This edition marks the festival's 10th anniversary, with organisers targeting 30 to 33 lakh earthen diyas across 56 ghats along the Saryu river.
What will Vice-President Radhakrishnan do at Deepotsav 2026?
Vice-President C.P. Radhakrishnan will offer prayers at the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Temple, participate in the symbolic coronation ceremony of Shri Ram, and felicitate revered saints at the event, according to an official statement.
How many diyas will be lit at Ayodhya Deepotsav 2026?
Organisers are aiming to light more than 30 to 33 lakh earthen diyas across 56 ghats, with the primary site at Ram Ki Paidi on the banks of the Saryu river.
What did Radhakrishnan say about India's renewable energy progress?
Radhakrishnan said India's non-fossil fuel-based installed capacity has crossed 300 gigawatts and that the country achieved 50 per cent of its installed electricity capacity from non-fossil sources in 2025 — five years ahead of its commitment. He also noted solar capacity grew from under 3 GW to over 170 GW in a decade.
What is the PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana?
The PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana is a government scheme that enables households to adopt rooftop solar power and access affordable clean energy. Radhakrishnan stated that more than 65 lakh households have joined the scheme so far.
