Diwali 2026: Ayodhya Glows With 30 Lakh Diyas As PM Modi Celebrates With Soldiers

Rows of earthen diyas light up the night as India celebrates Diwali 2026. (Photo: Pexels)

India woke up to its brightest morning of the year on Sunday, 8 November 2026, as Diwali — the festival of lights — arrived with a river of lamps in Ayodhya, greetings from the Prime Minister, and soldiers on the borders lighting diyas far from home.

From the ghats of the Saryu to the high passes of Sikkim, the festival is being celebrated on a scale that matches its meaning: the victory of light over darkness, and hope over despair.

Ayodhya's 10th Deepotsav Lights Up The Saryu

The celebrations began in grand style on Saturday evening, when Ayodhya hosted the 10th edition of its Deepotsav festival on the eve of Diwali. Reports said more than 30 lakh earthen diyas were lit across 56 ghats along the banks of the Saryu River, turning the entire riverfront into a glowing ribbon of light.

Vice President C. P. Radhakrishnan attended as the chief guest, alongside Uttar Pradesh Governor Anandiben Patel and Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. The evening also featured a grand Saryu Maha Aarti with 2,147 participants and a 2,100-drone show retelling the Ramayana in the night sky.

The scale keeps growing every year. In 2025, Ayodhya set a Guinness World Record with 26.17 lakh diyas. This year's reported figure of over 30 lakh would comfortably pass that mark, although no official certified count had been announced by late on Saturday night.

Deepotsav marks the return of Lord Rama, Goddess Sita and Lakshmana to Ayodhya after 14 years of exile, and it has become one of the biggest events on India's festive calendar.

PM Modi Keeps His Date With The Soldiers

Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended Diwali greetings to the nation in a video message on Saturday, calling the festival "a symbol of our resolve against darkness" and wishing people peace, prosperity and happiness.

He also confirmed that he will continue his annual tradition of celebrating Diwali with the country's soldiers. The practice began in 2014 at the Siachen Base Camp and has since taken him to border posts across the country, including aboard the aircraft carrier INS Vikrant in 2025. The location of this year's visit has not been disclosed.

"Like you, I too celebrate Diwali with enthusiasm. You know that visiting the brave soldiers of our country is my regular practice, and it will continue this year as well," the Prime Minister said in his message.

Rajnath Singh At Nathu La, Markets Mark Samvat 2083

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh is spending the festival with troops at two of India's most symbolic frontiers. He met soldiers at Bagdogra Airfield and Sukna in Darjeeling on Saturday, and on Diwali day itself he is visiting the Sherathang War Memorial near the Nathu La pass in Sikkim, at over 14,000 feet on the India-China border.

Back in Mumbai, the stock markets will mark the start of the new Samvat 2083 with the traditional Muhurat trading session on Sunday afternoon, from 2:20 pm to 3:30 pm.

A Greener, Safer Diwali

This year, the celebrations come with a clear message on safety and clean air. The Supreme Court has permitted only certified green crackers in Delhi-NCR, and only during two windows — 6 am to 7 am and 8 pm to 10 pm — on 7 and 8 November. Delhi Police have already seized over 91 kg of illegal firecrackers ahead of the festival.

The five-day festival began with Dhanteras on 6 November, followed by Choti Diwali on 7 November. The main Diwali and Lakshmi Puja fall today, 8 November, with Govardhan Puja on 9 November and Bhai Dooj on 10 November.

Conclusion

Diwali 2026 is a festival of records and rituals at once — a record river of lamps in Ayodhya, a Prime Minister keeping a decade-old promise to the soldiers, and millions of homes lighting a single diya of their own. However grand the celebrations, the heart of the festival remains the same small flame, lit with hope.

How are you celebrating Diwali this year — at home with family, or lighting a diya for someone far away? Tell us in the comments.