Ram Ki Paidi Diwali Laser Show 2026: Timings, Drone Show, Best Viewing Spots & Complete Visitor Guide
Ram Ki Paidi Diwali laser show 2026 on 7 November: timings, 2,100-drone show, best viewing spots, entry rules, photo tips and how to reach. Read before you go.
Ram Ki Paidi Diwali Laser Show 2026: Timings, Drone Show, Best Viewing Spots & Complete Visitor Guide
Last updated: 4 October 2026 | By: Your Travel Partner, Ayodhya
Quick Answer
The Ram Ki Paidi Diwali laser show is the grand laser, projection and drone show held on the Saryu ghats in Ayodhya during Deepotsav, one day before Diwali. In 2026, Deepotsav is on 7 November. In 2025 the laser and drone show started at 7:30 PM on both Deepotsav evenings, after the diyas were lit and the Saryu aarti was performed. The show tells the story of the Ramayana through lasers, 3D visuals, music and narration, and watching it from the public areas of the ghats is free.
| Event | Deepotsav laser, projection and drone show |
|---|---|
| Venue | Ram Ki Paidi, Saryu riverfront, Ayodhya |
| Deepotsav 2026 date | 7 November 2026 (Diwali is on 8 November) |
| Show time in 2025 | 7:30 PM on both Deepotsav evenings |
| 2026 show time | To be announced in the official schedule; expect a similar evening slot |
| Drones | 500 in 2024, 1,100 in 2025, 2,100 planned for 2026 |
| Theme | Life of Prabhu Shri Ram and scenes from the Ramayana |
| Entry | Free from public areas; the central zone is controlled for safety |
| Distance from Ram Mandir | About 2 km |
Table of Contents
- Two Different Shows: Daily Show vs Diwali Show
- What You Will See in the Diwali Laser Show
- How the Show Has Grown: 2024, 2025 and 2026
- Deepotsav Evening Timeline
- Best Viewing Spots Compared
- About Ram Ki Paidi
- How to Reach Ram Ki Paidi
- Photography and Video Tips
- Tips for Families, Elders and Children
- Common Mistakes to Avoid
- A Simple 2-Day Plan
- Frequently Asked Questions
Two Different Shows: Daily Show vs Diwali Show
This is where most websites confuse visitors. There are actually two different laser shows at Ram Ki Paidi, and people searching for the Ram Ki Paidi Diwali laser show often land on information about the wrong one.
| Point | Regular evening show | Deepotsav (Diwali) special show |
|---|---|---|
| When | Evenings through the year, after the Saryu aarti | Only during Deepotsav, around Diwali |
| Usual time | Around 7:00 to 7:30 PM, changes with the season | 7:30 PM in 2025 |
| Length | Roughly 20 to 35 minutes | A full evening of programmes |
| What it includes | Laser and sound show on the life of Shri Ram | Laser show, 3D projection, drone show, green fireworks, lakhs of diyas and a mass aarti |
| Crowd | Moderate | Very heavy, with road closures |
| Cost | Generally free to watch from the ghat steps | Free from public areas |
A note on tickets: Most visitor reports say the regular show is free to watch from the steps. Arrangements can change, so confirm on the spot with the tourism staff at the ghat. Do not buy "laser show tickets" from any website or agent online.
What You Will See in the Diwali Laser Show
The Deepotsav evening is not one single show. It is a set of programmes that follow each other on the same riverfront:
- Laser show: Coloured laser beams move in time with devotional music and narration. In 2025 it was presented as a 3D holographic musical laser show on the life and ideals of Shri Ram.
- 3D projection mapping: Moving images are projected onto the ghats and buildings, turning the walls into a giant screen for scenes from the Ramayana.
- Drone show: Hundreds of lit drones form pictures in the sky. In 2025, the formations included Shri Ram with his bow, Hanuman ji carrying the Sanjeevani mountain, Ram Setu, the Pushpak Viman, the Ram Darbar and the Ram Mandir.
- Green fireworks: A musical fireworks display using eco-friendly crackers.
- Lakhs of diyas: The steps of the ghat glow with earthen lamps. In 2025, a world record of 26,17,215 diyas was set. Read the full story in our Ayodhya Diwali world record diyas guide.
- Saryu Maha Aarti: Thousands of people perform the aarti together on the river bank.
How the Show Has Grown: 2024, 2025 and 2026
| Year | Date | Drones | Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 30 October | 500 | About 15 minutes with 15 formations; laser lights with narration and music; first Deepotsav after the Ram Mandir Pran Pratishtha |
| 2025 | 18 and 19 October | 1,100 | Shows at 7:30 PM on both evenings; 3D holographic musical laser show; made-in-India drones |
| 2026 | 7 November | 2,100 planned | 3D projection with live performances, laser shows, musical green fireworks and a Pushpak Viman installation on the Saryu are planned |
The number of drones has roughly doubled every year. Because of the growing crowd, the tourism department has also proposed holding the drone show on more than one evening in 2026. The final dates and timings are confirmed in the official schedule, so check UP Tourism before you travel.
Deepotsav Evening Timeline
The exact 2026 schedule will be announced closer to the date. Based on previous years, this is how the day usually flows. Use it to plan your arrival, not as fixed timings.
| Part of the day | What happens |
|---|---|
| Morning | Devotional music across the city; volunteers finish arranging diyas |
| Afternoon | Shobha yatra with Ramayana tableaux on the main roads; entry points to the ghats start filling |
| Late afternoon | Symbolic arrival of Shri Ram, Sita ji and Lakshman ji and the Rajyabhishek ceremony |
| Around sunset | Diyas are lit together across the ghats |
| After sunset | Saryu Maha Aarti |
| Evening (7:30 PM in 2025) | Laser show, projection mapping and drone show |
| After the show | Green fireworks; crowd starts moving out |
Best Viewing Spots Compared
| Spot | What you see best | Crowd | Good for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ram Ki Paidi steps | Diyas, laser and projection up close | Heaviest; access is controlled | Those who can arrive very early and stand for hours |
| Naya Ghat and Saryu bank | Aarti, river view and drone show | Heavy | Aarti lovers and photographers |
| Saryu bridge side | Wide view of the lit ghats and the sky | Moderate | Wide photos and the drone show |
| Lata Mangeshkar Chowk and Ram Path | City lighting, tableaux and drones in the sky | Moderate | Families with small children |
| Hotel or homestay rooftops near the ghats | Drone show and the overall glow | Low | Elders and anyone avoiding crowds |
| Live telecast | Everything, with commentary | None | Those who cannot travel |
Good to know: the drone formations are high in the sky and can be seen from several kilometres away. You do not need to be on the steps of Ram Ki Paidi to enjoy the drone show. For the lasers and projection, you need a direct view of the ghat.
About Ram Ki Paidi
Ram Ki Paidi is a long series of ghats on the bank of the Saryu river in Ayodhya, with a water channel running between rows of steps. The present structure was built in the mid-1980s and has been renovated and widened in recent years. Devotees come here for a holy dip, for the evening Saryu aarti and to sit by the water after darshan. See timings and the best place to sit in our Saryu Aarti guide.
How to Reach Ram Ki Paidi
- From Ram Mandir: About 2 km. On normal days an e-rickshaw is the easiest option.
- From Ayodhya Dham Junction: A short ride. Book a railway station pickup in advance on festival days.
- From Maharishi Valmiki International Airport: Use our airport pickup and drop.
- From Lucknow, Varanasi, Prayagraj or Gorakhpur: Book an outstation cab.
On Deepotsav day: vehicles are stopped well before the ghats and many roads become walking-only. Expect to walk the last one to two kilometres. Park at the designated parking areas, take an e-rickshaw up to the last permitted point, and keep the evening free for the walk back.
If you want hotel, transport and a planned evening in one booking, see our Ayodhya Deepotsav packages. For the full festival schedule, read the Ayodhya Deepotsav 2026 guide.
Photography and Video Tips
None of the top-ranking pages explain how to capture the show, so here are simple tips that work even on a phone:
- Use night mode and hold the phone against a railing or wall to keep it steady.
- Turn the flash off. It does nothing for lasers or diyas and disturbs people around you.
- Clean the lens before the show. Smudges turn lights into streaks.
- Shoot the diyas at dusk, in the few minutes when the sky is still blue. Photos look much richer than in full darkness.
- For the drone show, go wide. Keep some of the ghat in the frame to show the scale.
- Record short clips of 15 to 20 seconds instead of the full show, then put the phone down and watch.
- Carry a power bank. Mobile networks slow down in the crowd and batteries drain fast.
- Do not fly your own drone. The area is a no-fly zone for private drones during the event.
Tips for Families, Elders and Children
- Choose a viewing spot away from the central steps. The drone show looks just as good from farther back.
- Reach by early afternoon and carry water, light snacks and a mat to sit on.
- Write your phone number on a slip in each child's pocket and fix a meeting point.
- Carry a light shawl. November evenings by the river are cool.
- Laser beams and fireworks are loud and bright. Carry ear protection for small children if they are sensitive.
- For elders, book a hotel within walking distance or arrange an e-rickshaw to the nearest permitted point.
- Leave either before the fireworks end or 30 to 40 minutes after. The biggest rush is right when the show finishes.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Arriving at 7 PM. By then the entry points are packed. Come hours earlier.
- Planning to drive up to the ghat. Roads are closed. Plan to walk.
- Mixing up the dates. Deepotsav is on 7 November 2026, the day before Diwali.
- Paying for a pass. Viewing from public areas is free. Any pass system is announced only by the administration.
- Booking a hotel late. Rooms near the ghats fill up weeks in advance.
- Stepping on or moving diyas. Every lamp is part of the world record count.
- Trying to do Ram Mandir darshan in the same evening. Do darshan in the morning or the next day.
A Simple 2-Day Plan
| Day | Plan |
|---|---|
| 6 November (arrival) | Reach Ayodhya, check in, visit Hanuman Garhi and Kanak Bhawan, see the decorated Ram Path in the evening |
| 7 November (Deepotsav) | Early morning Ram Mandir darshan, rest at noon, reach the ghat area by early afternoon, watch the diyas, aarti, laser and drone show |
| 8 November (Diwali) | Morning at Guptar Ghat or a Saryu dip, then departure after the rush eases |
Ram Mandir darshan is free. Sugam Darshan and Aarti passes are also free and are booked only on the official Trust portal, online.srjbtkshetra.org.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the Ram Ki Paidi Diwali laser show?
It is the laser, 3D projection and drone show held at Ram Ki Paidi in Ayodhya during Deepotsav, one day before Diwali. It presents the story of the Ramayana with lights, music and narration.
2. When is the Ram Ki Paidi Diwali laser show in 2026?
Deepotsav 2026 is on 7 November 2026. The show is held that evening, and the official schedule may add shows on nearby evenings.
3. What time does the laser show start on Diwali?
In 2025 it started at 7:30 PM. The 2026 time will be announced in the official schedule.
4. Is the Ram Ki Paidi laser show free?
Watching from the public areas of the ghats during Deepotsav is free. The regular evening show is also generally free to watch from the steps. Confirm on the spot and do not buy tickets online.
5. How many drones will be used in 2026?
A 2,100-drone show is planned for Deepotsav 2026, up from 1,100 in 2025 and 500 in 2024.
6. Is there a laser show at Ram Ki Paidi on normal days?
Yes. A laser and sound show on the life of Shri Ram is held in the evening after the Saryu aarti, usually around 7:00 to 7:30 PM. Timings change with the season.
7. How long is the laser show?
The regular show runs for roughly 20 to 35 minutes. On Deepotsav, the laser, drone and fireworks programmes together fill the evening.
8. Where is the best place to watch the show?
The steps of Ram Ki Paidi give the closest view. Naya Ghat and the Saryu bridge side give a wider view with less crowd, and the drone show is visible from far away.
9. Do I need a pass to enter Ram Ki Paidi on Deepotsav?
Public areas are open and free. Entry to the central zone is controlled by the administration for safety. Follow official announcements and do not pay anyone for a pass.
10. How far is Ram Ki Paidi from Ram Mandir?
About 2 km.
11. Can I take my car to Ram Ki Paidi on Diwali?
No. Vehicles are stopped well before the ghats on Deepotsav day. Park at the designated areas and walk the last stretch.
12. Is the show suitable for children and elders?
Yes, but the central area is very crowded. Choose a spot farther back or a rooftop, and arrive early.
13. What language is the narration in?
The narration is in Hindi, with devotional music and shlokas.
14. Can I watch the show live at home?
Yes. Deepotsav is shown live on Doordarshan and on official social media channels.
15. Can I fly my own drone to record the show?
No. Private drones are not allowed over the venue during the event.
Conclusion
The Ram Ki Paidi Diwali laser show is the most beautiful evening of the year in Ayodhya: lakhs of diyas on the steps, the Saryu aarti, lasers and 3D visuals on the ghats and thousands of drones writing the Ramayana across the sky. With 2,100 drones planned for 7 November 2026, this year's show is set to be the biggest so far. Arrive early, plan to walk, choose your viewing spot wisely and you will carry this evening with you for life.
For hotels, cabs and complete Deepotsav trip planning, call or WhatsApp +91 78811 55800 or see our Ayodhya packages.
Sources
Note: Show timings, the number of drones and programme details for 2026 are based on announcements made so far and on previous years. They may change. Please check official sources before travelling. Your Travel Partner is a private travel service.
