Shekhawat hails Ayodhya Deepotsav, extends Diwali wishes
Synopsis
Union Culture and Tourism Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat hailed Ayodhya's Deepotsav on 7 November 2026, calling it a symbol of crores of devotees' faith in Lord Rama and extending warm Diwali greetings as millions of lamps lit the Sarayu river banks.
Key Takeaways
Gajendra Singh Shekhawat , Union Minister of Culture and Tourism, celebrated the Ayodhya Deepotsav with a post on 7 November 2026 .
He described the festival as a symbol of crores of devotees' faith and love for Lord Shri Ram .
The Deepotsav is held annually on the banks of the Sarayu river in Ayodhya , Uttar Pradesh.
Ayodhya is promoted under the Swadesh Darshan scheme as a flagship religious-tourism destination alongside Varanasi and Mathura.
Shekhawat extended greetings for both Deepotsav and Diwali to all citizens.
Millions of lamps lit up the banks of the Sarayu river in Ayodhya this Diwali, and Union Culture and Tourism Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat marked the moment with a heartfelt message celebrating the city's grand Deepotsav — the annual festival of lights that has become one of India's most watched spiritual spectacles.
Posting on Saturday, 7 November 2026, Shekhawat wrote: 'Jai Shri Ram! Lakhon deepon se jagmagayi Awadhpuri, Sarayu tat par gunja Jai Siyaram!' — 'Jai Shri Ram! Awadhpuri glowed with millions of lamps, the banks of the Sarayu resounded with Jai Siyaram!' He described Ayodhya's Deepotsav as a symbol of the faith and love of crores of devotees for Lord Shri Ram, and extended warm wishes for both the Deepotsav and Diwali to all.
Ayodhya's Deepotsav and its rise as a cultural landmark
Ayodhya, venerated across the Hindu world as the birthplace of Lord Rama, has in recent years become the centrepiece of India's religious-tourism calendar around Diwali. The city's Deepotsav — held on the ghats of the Sarayu river — draws pilgrims and tourists from across the country, transforming the riverfront into a sea of earthen lamps each year.
The Ministry of Tourism has promoted Ayodhya under the Swadesh Darshan scheme as a key node in the national religious-tourism circuit since the mid-2010s, alongside temple towns such as Varanasi and Mathura. For Shekhawat, whose portfolio spans both Culture and Tourism, the Deepotsav sits at the precise intersection of faith, heritage, and economic opportunity.
Culture portfolio meets pilgrimage economy
The central government has consistently used moments like the Ayodhya Deepotsav to spotlight India's living cultural traditions and to channel attention — and footfall — toward its flagship pilgrimage destinations. As the minister responsible for both sides of that equation, Shekhawat's post is as much an amplification of a national tourism narrative as it is a personal Diwali greeting.
Ayodhya's infrastructure has been expanding steadily, positioning the city to absorb the surge of domestic visitors that high-profile events like Deepotsav now reliably generate. The minister's public enthusiasm signals continued government investment in that visibility.
When millions of lamps are the message, the medium is the river itself — and Ayodhya, once again, delivered.
Point of View
His visibility at such moments reinforces Ayodhya's positioning as India's premier pilgrimage brand. The post also reflects a broader BJP communications pattern of ensuring senior leaders are publicly associated with high-footfall Hindu festivals. With Ayodhya's infrastructure still expanding, expect this amplification to only grow louder in the years ahead.
NationPress
7 Nov 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Ayodhya's Deepotsav?
Deepotsav is an annual festival of lights held on the banks of the Sarayu river in Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh, during Diwali, in which millions of earthen lamps are lit to celebrate Lord Rama's return to Ayodhya.
What did Gajendra Singh Shekhawat say about Deepotsav 2026?
Shekhawat called the Ayodhya Deepotsav a symbol of crores of devotees' faith and love for Lord Shri Ram, and extended warm wishes for Deepotsav and Diwali to all citizens.
What is the Swadesh Darshan scheme and how does it relate to Ayodhya?
Swadesh Darshan is a central government scheme to develop religious and heritage tourism circuits across India; Ayodhya has been a key node in its religious tourism circuit since the mid-2010s.
Who is Gajendra Singh Shekhawat?
Gajendra Singh Shekhawat is India's Union Minister of Culture and Tourism, a senior BJP leader, and Lok Sabha Member of Parliament from Jodhpur, Rajasthan.
Why is Ayodhya significant for India's tourism policy?
Ayodhya is regarded as the birthplace of Lord Rama and home to the Ram Janmabhoomi temple complex, making it one of India's most important religious-tourism destinations, promoted alongside Varanasi and Mathura under national tourism strategies.
