At Ayodhya’s Deepotsav, a unique blend of devotion, grandeur, and development was seen. By lighting millions of lamps in Lord Ram’s city, a new world record was set. This celebration not only enhanced cultural pride but also boosted the local economy. In the past five days, over five lakh devotees visited Ram Lalla’s temple.
Deepotsav brings new glow to Ayodhya’s economy
During Deepotsav, traders in Ayodhya earned unexpected income. From October 16 to 22, around eight lakh devotees arrived. About 90% of hotels and restaurants remained full. Sellers of prasad, Ram-name carvings, photos, snacks, and religious items saw their sales multiply. It is estimated that the festival added nearly five crore rupees to Ayodhya’s economy.
Lakhs of devotees came to Ayodhya to celebrate the world record. Continuous holidays for three days after Deepotsav increased the crowd further. Everyone wanted to see the dazzling beauty of Ayodhya in the evening.
Small businesses made big profits
A tea vendor near Ram Ki Paidi said he sold about two thousand cups of tea daily during the festival, while on normaldays even fifty cups hardly sell. According to trader leader Pankaj Gupta, Deepotsav gave new energy to small businesses in Ayodhya. Compared to normal days, business rose up to three times.
Foreign tourists were also attracted
Guide Abhishek said that last week about 100 foreigners came from the USA, Australia, Spain, Canada, the Netherlands, Fiji, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Russia, and Thailand. They visited Ram Lalla, Hanuman Garhi, and many other religious sites. Foreign devotees especially bought pictures of Lord Ram, prasad, and water from the Saryu River.
Earnings of three months in just five days
Economist Prof. Vinod Srivastava said the business during Deepotsav proved a blessing for Ayodhya’s economy. Tourists shopped heavily. Anil Pandey, who applies sandalwood paste near Birla Dharamshala, said he earned four to five thousand rupees daily from October 18 to 22, while on normal days he earns barely 500. Sales of potters and prasad sellers also multiplied. A shopkeeper said the income of three months was earned in five days.
1.25 to 1.5 lakh devotees arrived daily
Prof. Vinod Srivastava, Secretary of the UP–Uttarakhand Economic Association, said a large number of casual tourists visited during Deepotsav. His team’s survey found that from October 16 to 22, about 1.25 to 1.5 lakh devotees came daily. Hotels, guest houses, and restaurants were 90% full. Sales of flowers, Ram Darbar pictures, and worship materials generated about five crore rupees in income.
Number of devotees visiting Ram Lalla
October 18 – 85,430
October 19 – 90,765
October 20 – 1,17,698
October 21 – 1,05,430
October 22 – 1,14,232
