Foreign Visitors Awe at Ayodhya’s Spectacular Diwali Light Festival

When the lights of Diwali flicker along the banks of the Saryu River, they attract more than just locals. This year, travelers from England and Ukraine found themselves drawn to Ayodhya’s famed Ram ki Paidi, where a sea of 30 lakh earthen lamps transformed the ghats into a shimmering tableau of devotion and colour.

“The show was beautiful,” says the English visitor, his eyes still bright from the spectacle. “It was wonderful to see the lights, the celebrations, and so many people enjoying the festivities. This is our first time in Ayodhya, and everyone has been so kind and welcoming.” His words capture a mix of awe and heartfelt gratitude that echoed throughout the crowd.

Across the river, Simona from Ukraine echoed the sentiment. Invited by her sister, she confessed, “I really like everything here. I am amazed by how beautiful everything looks.” For her, the Diwali lights were more than decoration—they were a window into a living tradition that spans centuries.

The sheer scale of the celebration is hard to overstate. Over 56 ghats along the Saryu were lit with more than three million diyas, each lamp a small tribute to the city’s ancient spiritual heritage. Volunteers, dressed in traditional attire, arranged the lamps with painstaking care, while a contingent of more than 2,500 police and specialized security personnel ensured safety amid the throngs of devotees.

Even before the main cultural program began, Uttar Pradesh’s Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath walked through a curated exhibition chronicling Ayodhya’s 500‑year story—from the historic Ram Janmabhoomi movement to the city’s recent infrastructural renaissance. The exhibition set the tone, reminding visitors that the sparkle of Diwali sits atop layers of history, resilience, and community.

For the foreign guests, the blend of visual grandeur, heartfelt hospitality, and palpable devotion turned a simple travel stop into an unforgettable cultural immersion. As the night deepened and the diyas continued to glow, the message was clear: Ayodhya’s Diwali is not just a festival of lights; it is a living celebration that welcomes the world with open arms.