Amit Shah to Be Chief Guest at Ayodhya's 10th Deepotsav on November 7

In a momentous cultural and political milestone for the holy city of Ayodhya, Union Home Minister Amit Shah is slated to participate in the world-renowned Deepotsav celebrations for the very first time. Marking the grand 10th edition of Ramnagari’s festival of lights scheduled for November 7, 2026, Amit Shah will attend as the chief guest alongside Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and key state cabinet ministers. Most significantly, this visit will witness the Home Minister offering prayers before Ram Lalla inside the newly constructed grand Ram Temple for the first time since the historic temple consecration. While formal itineraries from local intelligence and district administrative departments are being formalized, a local public representative who recently conferred with Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath confirmed the high-profile schedule.A Historic Political Trajectory: Amit Shah's Landmark Prior Visits to AyodhyaThe upcoming journey marks the senior leader's third official visit to Ayodhya, tracing an impactful journey through Indian political history:The Breakthrough July 2013 Visit: Amit Shah visited Ayodhya for the first time as BJP National General Secretary in July 2013 ahead of the 16th Lok Sabha elections, chairing a historic regional cadre conclave at Karsevakpuram where he delivered key electoral strategies that helped propel the BJP to a historic single-party majority under Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2014.Architect of the 2017 UP Victory: Building upon that foundation, Shah engineered the party's grassroots organizational machinery across eastern and central Uttar Pradesh, which culminated in the BJP's massive victory in the 2017 Assembly elections and the formation of the Yogi Adityanath-led government.Pre-Election 2021 Pilgrimage: The Home Minister’s second visit took place on December 31, 2021, just ahead of the 2022 UP Assembly elections, where he offered prayers at Hanumangarhi and personally inspected the ongoing foundational construction work of the Ram Janmabhoomi temple.First Visit Post-Pran Pratishtha: Ending the Anticipation for Ram Lalla DarshanDespite being deeply involved in the legislative and institutional developments surrounding Ayodhya, Shah has not set foot in the temple town since late 2021:Absence During Key Milestones: Prime Minister Narendra Modi performed the groundbreaking Bhoomi Pujan on August 5, 2020, and led the sacred Pran Pratishtha consecration ceremony on January 22, 2024; during the consecration, Amit Shah watched the nationwide live broadcast while offering prayers at Birla Mandir in New Delhi.Jay Shah's Earlier Darshan: While public speculation continued regarding the Home Minister's visit, his son and International Cricket Council (ICC) Chairman Jay Shah, along with his wife Rishita Patel, visited Ayodhya on January 26, 2025, during the Maha Kumbh period to pay obeisance to Lord Ram Lalla and Lord Hanuman.Grand November 7 Pilgrimage: The upcoming visit on November 7 for the 10th Deepotsav will officially end the wait, marking Amit Shah's inaugural personal darshan of the consecrated deity inside the sanctum sanctorum (Garbha Griha) of the newly constructed temple.Ayodhya's 10th Deepotsav: A Record-Breaking Spectacle on the Saryu GhatsThe tenth edition of Deepotsav is gearing up to be the most magnificent celebration in the festival's decade-long history:Joint Presence on the Ghats: Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and Home Minister Amit Shah will lead the lighting of millions of ceremonial earthen lamps (diyas) across the extensive ghats of the holy Saryu River, including Ram Ki Paidi.Decade Milestone Celebration: Having consistently shattered Guinness World Records year after year, the 10th edition will feature enhanced laser shows, international Ramlila troupes, aerial drone displays, and tight multi-tier security coordination across Ayodhya Dham.