Ayodhya Deepotsav to feature Ramleela performances from five countries

Ayodhya (UP), Oct 31 (PTI) The 10th Deepotsav in Ayodhya will feature Ramleela performances by artists from five countries, showcasing different cultural traditions and interpretations of the story of Lord Ram, the Uttar Pradesh government said on Saturday.

     Two teams from South Africa and artists from Sri Lanka, Nepal, Laos and Thailand have been proposed to participate, while preparations are also underway to invite performers from the Philippines and Russia, according to an official statement.

     Around 2,500 artists from India and abroad will showcase their performances across 12 stages — six small, four medium-sized and two large — during the festival, it said.

     Performances based on Ramcharitra and Ramkatha from Assam, West Bengal, Uttarakhand, Jammu and Kashmir, and Kerala will further add to the event’s cultural diversity.

     The government is seeking to develop Deepotsav beyond a festival centred on lighting lamps and religious observances, positioning it as an international cultural event. Ramleela performances from different countries will showcase how the story of Lord Ram is interpreted through diverse languages, costumes and folk traditions.

     Ashutosh Dwivedi, adviser and Officer on Special Duty at the Ayodhya International Ramayana and Vedic Research Institute, said the participation of Indian and foreign artists would enhance the festival’s appeal.

     “Ramleela performances from five countries and Ramkatha-based presentations from various states will provide the event with a platform for cultural diversity. This will also create opportunities for local artists and tourism-related businesses. Performances by foreign artists will further strengthen Ayodhya’s international identity,” he said.

     Dwivedi added that the participation of around 2,500 artists would bring diverse cultural traditions to life in Ayodhya.

     Following the consecration ceremony at the Ram Temple, Ayodhya has been emerging as a centre for cultural tourism alongside religious tourism, the statement said.

     It added that the international participation at Deepotsav would showcase the global reach of Ramkatha and present the ideals and philosophy associated with Lord Ram through diverse cultural expressions.

(This story has not been edited by THE WEEK and is auto-generated from PTI)