A grand cultural and spiritual revival is shaping up in Uttar Pradesh. The state is blending its age-old traditions with modern infrastructure. Millions of devotees and travellers get world-class experiences. Historic cities of Ayodhya and Kashi are at the centre of this transformation. Both sacred cities are leading the vision of 'Utsav Pradesh' as spelt out by the honourable Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath.
Shining 'Utsav Pradesh'
With a vision to build an 'Utsav Pradesh', the state government has aligned its efforts with the broader developmental vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The vision not only celebrates traditional festivals with their ancient glory, but it also reconnects people with their cultural identity, thereby restoring pride in spiritual heritage and opening new avenues for tourism and growth.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi emphasised this vision, stating: "UP prospers when Kashi prospers, and the country prospers when UP prospers."
Ayodhya and the Grandeur of Deepotsav
Ayodhya’s Deepotsav is a historic symbol of tradition finding a brand new and dynamic expression. As per the religious text, Lord Shri Ram returned to Ayodhya after 14 years of vanvas and after defeating the demon King Ravan of Lanka. The people of Awadh welcomed him by lighting lamps all over his kingdom, but it reached its pinnacle in the capital Ayodhya. The tradition has its roots in that history. People celebrate Deepotsav with festive fervour and devotion across India, but in the city of Ayodhya, it reached another level altogether.
Both the scale and global participation of the festival have seen dramatic growth over the years:
Ayodhya’s Story of Scale
In 2017, the celebration began with 1.71 lakh diyas. By 2025, Ayodhya set a world record as 26,17,215 diyas illuminated Ram Ki Paidi on the banks of the Saryu River. As part of the state's Ramayana Circuit, Ayodhya brings together faith and living traditions, attracting visitors from across the planet.
Kashi: Dev Deepawali Meets Modern Infrastructure
In Varanasi (Kashi), faith and traditions meet modern urban development. The city of Vishwanath continues to shine as an enduring symbol of Indian culture while embracing modern connectivity:
Dev Deepawali Spectacle: In 2025, the sacred Ganga ghats of Kashi came alive with 25 lakh diyas during Dev Deepawali.
Kashi Vishwanath Dham: Over the past 9 years, the corridor grew from just 3,000 sq. ft. to nearly 5 lakh sq. ft. as it integrated more than 40 rediscovered ancient temples.
Riverfront and Urban Mobility: Major improvements include the development of Namo Ghat and India's first urban ropeway connecting Cantt Railway Station and Rathyatra. The project entered trial operations in 2025 as part of a Rs 644-crore project.
A Global Tourism Destination
Ayodhya's and Kashi’s cultural and spiritual momentum is driving unprecedented tourism growth. In 2025, Uttar Pradesh recorded more than 156 crore tourist visits. This included over 45 lakh foreign tourists. With massive support from the Uttar Pradesh Tourism Policy 2022, every festival and journey in these sacred cities of Shri Ram and Mahadev continues to tell a memorable story of living heritage.