Small traders in Ayodhya say Deepotsav 2026 crowds have pushed their daily earnings up several times over.

The festival's 10th edition began on 7 November. Visitors are filling the ghats and lanes around the Ram temple.

They are buying lamps, garlands, photos and prasad. For many stall owners, this is the biggest trading week of the year.

Jitendra, a former e-rickshaw driver, sells magnetic photos of the temple and riverfront. He earns Rs 600 to Rs 700 a day.

Lala Mahto came from Bihar to sell garlands and makes Rs 700 to Rs 800 a day. A Sita locket sells for Rs 100.

Shopkeepers who once earned Rs 400 to Rs 500 a day now report about Rs 2,500 a day during the festival.

Visitor numbers grew from 6 million in 2020 to 164 million in 2024, according to research firm Liases Foras.

Liases Foras expects about 300 million visitors in 2025. The town collected about Rs 400 crore in GST.

Ayodhya's Master Plan 2031 carries an investment of Rs 85,000 crore. About 1.2 lakh jobs have been created since 2024.

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has said every diya lit during Deepotsav lights a potter's livelihood.

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