Overview
- The sixth annual Deepotsav officially began on Thursday with the banks of the Gomti at Maa Kamakhya Dham lit by 1.51 lakh earthen lamps.
- Authorities held a district briefing to finalise operations and placed police, the National Security Guard and the Uttar Pradesh Anti-Terror Squad on duty to secure large crowds.
- Surveillance and control-room monitoring are in place and officials said drone and laser-show trials will begin as rehearsals continue.
- Event logistics are being finished on site, with the Ram Rath reported about 80 percent complete and tableaux being prepared by artisans brought from cities such as Kolkata and Kanpur.
- The festival has a wider regional footprint, with Moradabad organisers reporting five lakh lamps lit, and local leaders and vendors saying Deepotsav now supports artisans, women’s groups and the hospitality sector.