Ayodhya Diwali Pass Booking 2026: Deepotsav Entry Pass, Ram Mandir Darshan Pass & the Truth About Online Booking
Ayodhya Diwali pass booking 2026 explained: who gets a Deepotsav entry pass, where to watch free, how to book the free Ram Mandir pass and avoid fake passes.
Ayodhya Diwali Pass Booking 2026: Deepotsav Entry Pass, Ram Mandir Darshan Pass & the Truth About Online Booking
Last updated: 5 October 2026 | By: Your Travel Partner, Ayodhya
Quick Answer
There is no ticket to see Diwali in Ayodhya. Deepotsav 2026 is on 7 November 2026, and watching it from the public areas along the Saryu is free. The central zone at Ram Ki Paidi is restricted on the day to volunteers, officials and pass holders, and those passes are issued by the district administration, not sold to the public. The one pass that every visitor can book is the free Ram Mandir Sugam Darshan or Aarti pass, available only on the official Trust portal online.srjbtkshetra.org. Anyone selling an "Ayodhya Diwali pass" online is not authorised.
| Deepotsav 2026 date | 7 November 2026 (Diwali is on 8 November) |
|---|---|
| Ticket to watch Deepotsav | Not needed. Public viewing areas are free |
| Ram Ki Paidi central zone | Restricted to volunteers, officials and pass holders |
| Who issues venue passes | District administration and the organising departments |
| Ram Mandir darshan | Free. No pass needed for general darshan |
| Ram Mandir Sugam Darshan and Aarti pass | Free, booked only on online.srjbtkshetra.org |
| Paid "VIP Diwali pass" from agents | Not official. Do not buy |
Table of Contents
- What People Actually Mean by "Ayodhya Diwali Pass"
- The Deepotsav Venue Pass: Who Gets It
- How to Check for an Official Pass Announcement
- Where to Watch Without Any Pass
- Ram Mandir Pass Booking for Diwali: Step by Step
- Light a Diya From Home: Ek Diya Ram Ke Naam
- Official Tour Packages
- Fake Pass Scams and How to Spot Them
- Booking Planner: What to Do and When
- Reaching and Moving Around on Diwali
- What to Carry
- Frequently Asked Questions
What People Actually Mean by "Ayodhya Diwali Pass"
When people search for Ayodhya Diwali pass booking, they usually mean one of five different things. Most websites mix them up, which is why visitors arrive confused. Here is the clear picture.
| What it is | Who issues it | Can the public book it? | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Deepotsav venue pass for the central zone at Ram Ki Paidi | District administration and organising departments | Issued in limited numbers, mainly to volunteers, officials, invited guests and media | Not sold |
| Ram Mandir Sugam Darshan pass | Shri Ram Janmbhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust | Yes, online | Free |
| Ram Mandir Aarti pass | Shri Ram Janmbhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust | Yes, online, very limited seats | Free |
| "Ek Diya Ram Ke Naam" virtual diya | Ayodhya Teerth Vikas Parishad | Yes, through the Divya Ayodhya app or website | A contribution for a diya and prasad kit sent home; it is not an entry pass |
| UP Tourism Deepotsav tour package | UPSTDC (state tourism corporation) | Yes | Paid tour with transport and stay; it is not a pass |
Once you know which of these you need, the rest becomes simple.
The Deepotsav Venue Pass: Who Gets It
Ram Ki Paidi is where the diyas are counted for the Guinness World Record. To protect the count and manage the crowd, the administration closes the central area on Deepotsav day.
In 2024, for example, access to Ram Ki Paidi was limited to three groups: volunteers posted at the ghats, Deepotsav officials and pass holders. The 17 lanes connecting to the ghat were sealed and barricaded, with police posted at each one. Similar arrangements are made every year.
Who normally receives these passes
- Student volunteers who arrange and light the diyas, through their university or college
- Government officials and staff on duty
- Invited guests and delegations
- Accredited media
- Artists and performers in the programmes
Is there online booking for the public?
Some websites say that a free Deepotsav e-pass can be booked on a tourism portal. We could not find an official announcement confirming a public booking link for Deepotsav 2026 at the time of writing. If a public registration is opened, it will be announced by the administration or UP Tourism on their own channels. Please treat any other "booking link" with caution, and never pay for one.
The good news: you do not need this pass to enjoy the evening. The diyas, the Saryu aarti, the drone show and the fireworks can all be seen from public areas. Details are in the next sections.
How to Check for an Official Pass Announcement
- Visit uptourism.gov.in and look for Deepotsav 2026 notices.
- Check the District Ayodhya website for press notes, traffic plans and entry rules.
- Follow the verified social media handles of the Ayodhya district administration and Ayodhya Police in the week before Deepotsav. The traffic and entry plan is usually shared there.
- Make sure any link you open ends in .gov.in or .nic.in, or is the Trust's own srjbtkshetra.org.
- If a pass is announced, it will be free. A request for payment means the link is not genuine.
Where to Watch Without Any Pass
| Place | What you can see | Tip |
|---|---|---|
| Naya Ghat and the open Saryu bank | Aarti, lit ghats, drone show | Reach by early afternoon |
| Saryu bridge side | Wide view of the ghats and sky | Good for photos |
| Ram Path and Lata Mangeshkar Chowk | Decorations, tableaux, drones in the sky | Easier with children |
| Temples and mathas across the city | Local diya lighting and bhajans | Peaceful and less crowded |
| Hotel or homestay rooftops | Drone show and the glow of the ghats | Ask your hotel in advance |
| Live telecast | The complete programme | For those who cannot travel |
Public areas can also be regulated by the police depending on the crowd, so follow the instructions on the day. For a full comparison of viewing spots, read our Ram Ki Paidi Diwali laser show guide.
Ram Mandir Pass Booking for Diwali: Step by Step
For most visitors, this is the real Ayodhya Diwali pass booking. General darshan at Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Mandir is free and needs no pass. If you want a fixed time slot with less waiting, book the free Sugam Darshan pass. If you want to attend an aarti, book the free Aarti pass.
How to book
- Open the official portal: online.srjbtkshetra.org.
- Log in with your mobile number and OTP.
- Choose Sugam Darshan or Aarti.
- Select your date. Only dates that are open and have seats can be selected.
- Select a time slot or the aarti you want.
- Enter each devotee's name, age, gender and government ID details exactly as on the ID.
- Submit and save the pass. No payment is asked at any step.
- Carry the original of the same ID on the day.
Tips for the Diwali rush
- Passes for Diwali week are taken quickly. Check the portal as soon as your dates open and check again later for cancellations.
- Book a morning slot on 7 November or a slot on 6 or 8 November. Do not plan darshan for Deepotsav evening, because roads near the temple are closed and the crowd is at its peak.
- On major festival days the Trust may change darshan arrangements. Read the notices on srjbtkshetra.org before you travel.
- If you do not get a pass, you can still have darshan through the general queue. Keep extra time.
For more detail, see our guide on online darshan pass booking in Ayodhya.
Light a Diya From Home: Ek Diya Ram Ke Naam
If you cannot travel, there is an official way to take part. Under the "Ek Diya Ram Ke Naam" programme run by the Ayodhya Teerth Vikas Parishad, devotees anywhere in the world can have a diya lit in their name during Deepotsav through the Divya Ayodhya app or its website, and receive a prasad kit at home.
| Option | Contribution in 2025 |
|---|---|
| Lakshman Jyoti | ₹501 |
| Sita Jyoti | ₹1,100 |
| Ram Jyoti | ₹2,100 |
These are the 2025 figures. Options for 2026 are announced closer to Deepotsav. Remember that this is a way to participate from home. It is not an entry pass to the venue.
Official Tour Packages
The Uttar Pradesh State Tourism Development Corporation (UPSTDC) runs guided Deepotsav tours. They are paid tours that include transport and services, not passes.
- 2025: a one-day guided tour from Lucknow on Deepotsav day at ₹1,500 per person, with transport, meals and a guide.
- 2026: a 2 nights and 3 days package for 6 to 8 November at ₹16,999 per person plus GST, with hotel on twin sharing, meals as per itinerary, AC transport, temple visits, Saryu aarti and Deepotsav viewing. Booking is on upstdc.co.in.
If you prefer a private plan with your own cab, hotel choice and flexible timings, see our Ayodhya Deepotsav packages or call +91 78811 55800.
Fake Pass Scams and How to Spot Them
Every Diwali, fake "Ayodhya Deepotsav VIP pass" offers appear on social media and messaging apps. Use this table to check any offer.
| What you see | Why it is a red flag |
|---|---|
| "VIP Deepotsav pass" for a price | Venue passes are not sold to the public |
| Payment by UPI to a personal number | Official bodies do not collect money this way |
| Website address that does not end in .gov.in, .nic.in or srjbtkshetra.org | Likely a copy of an official site |
| "Front row seat guaranteed" | Seating in the central zone is decided by the administration |
| Paid Ram Mandir Sugam or Aarti pass | These passes are free from the Trust |
| Request for your OTP | Nobody genuine needs your OTP |
| "Only 10 passes left, pay now" | Pressure tactics are a classic sign of fraud |
If you have been cheated, report it on the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal cybercrime.gov.in or call the helpline 1930 at once.
At Your Travel Partner, we charge only for travel services such as cabs, e-rickshaws, hotels and packages. We never charge for any pass.
Booking Planner: What to Do and When
| When | What to do |
|---|---|
| Now | Book train or flight tickets and your hotel. Rooms near the ghats fill first |
| As soon as your dates open on the Trust portal | Book the free Sugam Darshan pass, and the Aarti pass if you want one |
| Two weeks before | Book your cab, airport or station pickup and local transport |
| One week before | Check official websites for the traffic plan, entry rules and any public pass announcement |
| 6 November | Arrive in Ayodhya. Visit Hanuman Garhi and Kanak Bhawan |
| 7 November, morning | Ram Mandir darshan |
| 7 November, early afternoon | Walk to your chosen viewing area and settle in |
| 7 November, evening | Diyas, Saryu aarti, laser and drone show, fireworks |
| 8 November | Diwali morning in Ayodhya, then departure |
Reaching and Moving Around on Diwali
- By air: Maharishi Valmiki International Airport, Ayodhya Dham. Pre-book our airport pickup and drop.
- By train: Ayodhya Dham Junction or Ayodhya Cantt. Book tickets on irctc.co.in and use our railway station pickup.
- By road: From Lucknow, Varanasi, Prayagraj or Gorakhpur, book an outstation cab.
- Inside the city: Many roads become walking-only on Deepotsav day. An e-rickshaw can take you to the last permitted point. Expect to walk the final one to two kilometres.
For the full schedule, read our Ayodhya Deepotsav 2026 guide, and for the story of the diya records, see Ayodhya Diwali world record diyas.
What to Carry
- Original government photo ID for every person, the same one used for any pass
- Saved copy of your Ram Mandir pass, plus the booking details written on paper
- Hotel booking confirmation, which helps at police checkpoints near restricted roads
- Water bottle, light snacks and a mat to sit on
- Comfortable walking shoes and a light shawl for the evening
- Power bank, since networks slow down in the crowd
- A slip with your phone number in each child's pocket
- Any regular medicines for elders
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Is a pass needed to see Diwali in Ayodhya?
No. Watching Deepotsav from public areas is free and needs no pass. Only the central zone at Ram Ki Paidi is restricted to volunteers, officials and pass holders.
2. How can I do Ayodhya Diwali pass booking online?
The pass every visitor can book online is the free Ram Mandir Sugam Darshan or Aarti pass on online.srjbtkshetra.org. A public online booking for the Deepotsav venue has not been officially confirmed for 2026.
3. What is the price of the Ayodhya Deepotsav pass?
Deepotsav venue passes are not sold. If any public pass is announced, it will be free. Do not pay anyone for a pass.
4. Who issues the Deepotsav entry pass?
The district administration and the organising departments issue passes, mainly to volunteers, officials, invited guests and media.
5. When is Deepotsav 2026?
Deepotsav 2026 is on 7 November 2026, one day before Diwali on 8 November.
6. Can I enter Ram Ki Paidi on Deepotsav without a pass?
The central zone is closed to the general public on Deepotsav day. You can watch from Naya Ghat, the Saryu bank and other public areas.
7. Is the Ram Mandir pass free on Diwali?
Yes. Sugam Darshan and Aarti passes are always free and are issued only by the Trust.
8. Will Ram Mandir be open on Diwali?
Darshan continues as per the Trust's schedule. Timings and arrangements can change on festival days, so check the official website before you go.
9. How early should I book the Ram Mandir pass for Diwali?
Book as soon as your dates open on the portal. Passes for festival week are taken quickly.
10. I did not get any pass. Can I still visit?
Yes. General darshan at Ram Mandir is free without a pass, and Deepotsav can be watched from public areas.
11. Is there a VIP pass for Deepotsav?
Invited guests receive passes from the administration. They are not sold to the public, so any paid VIP pass offer is not genuine.
12. How can I light a diya in Ayodhya from home?
Through the "Ek Diya Ram Ke Naam" programme on the Divya Ayodhya app or website. A diya is lit in your name and prasad is sent to your home.
13. Does the UP Tourism package include a venue pass?
The package includes guided Deepotsav viewing as part of the tour. Check the inclusions on the UPSTDC website before booking.
14. Can students get a pass by volunteering?
Volunteers are selected through Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia Avadh University, its affiliated colleges and partner organisations. Students should contact their institution.
15. Which ID is needed?
Carry an original government photo ID such as Aadhaar, Voter ID, Driving Licence or Passport. For a Ram Mandir pass, carry the same ID you used while booking.
16. Are children allowed at Deepotsav?
Yes. Choose a less crowded viewing area, arrive early and keep a contact slip in each child's pocket.
Conclusion
Ayodhya Diwali pass booking is simpler than it looks. You do not need a ticket to see Deepotsav, the central venue pass is not for sale, and the only pass worth booking is the free Ram Mandir pass on the official Trust portal. Book your stay and travel early, check official websites a week before, reach your viewing spot by afternoon and keep away from anyone selling passes.
For hotels, cabs and complete Deepotsav trip planning, call or WhatsApp +91 78811 55800 or see our Ayodhya packages. Jai Shri Ram!
Official Links
- Ram Mandir Trust booking portal
- Shri Ram Janmbhoomi Teerth Kshetra
- Uttar Pradesh Tourism
- District Ayodhya
- UPSTDC
- National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal
Note: Entry rules, pass arrangements and timings for Deepotsav 2026 are decided by the administration and may change. This guide is based on announcements made so far and on arrangements in previous years. Please check official sources before travelling. Your Travel Partner is a private travel service and is not connected with the administration or the Trust.
