Dilli Ki Diwali: drone show on Lord Ram lights Connaught Place

The Delhi government's two-day festival "Dilli Ki Diwali" opened at Central Park in Connaught Place on Friday, 6 November 2026, the day of Dhanteras, and continues on Saturday, 7 November, from 6 pm to 10 pm. Chief Minister Rekha Gupta inaugurated the event, which the government also calls "Jagmag Diwali" and has promoted as a "Green Diwali" celebration. Its main attraction is a drone show held on both evenings: on the opening night, hundreds of drones formed scenes from the life of Lord Ram, followed by an aarti to Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Ganesha. The programme also includes a Ganesh-Lakshmi Maha Aarti, a Deepotsav of lamps, bhajan clubbing and rangoli competitions.

Diwali, the festival of lights, falls on Sunday, 8 November this year. In Hindu tradition it celebrates Lord Ram's return to Ayodhya, which is why the drone show chose scenes from his life, and it is the time when families worship Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Ganesha for prosperity. A public celebration in the heart of the capital lets people who may not have a large family gathering, including students, migrant workers and visitors, share in the festival.

The event also shows how festivals are changing in cities. Drone shows use hundreds of small lit drones flying in formation to draw pictures in the sky, producing a light display without the smoke of fireworks. That fits the government's "Green Diwali" message at a time when Delhi has stepped up anti-pollution curbs.

Bhajan clubbing brings devotional songs into a concert-style setting with modern music and lights, and including it alongside the Maha Aarti suggests an effort to draw younger visitors to a traditional celebration.

For visitors, the second evening falls on the eve of Diwali, so central Delhi is likely to be busy; those planning to attend should allow extra travel time and follow local traffic advisories.

Peepals timeline: The Delhi government announced the two-day Dilli Ki Diwali festival before Dhanteras, with Tourism Minister Kapil Mishra naming the drone show as its highlight. Chief Minister Rekha Gupta opened the event on Friday, 6 November 2026, Dhanteras, with a drone show on scenes from the life of Lord Ram and a Maha Aarti. The second evening follows on Saturday, 7 November, the day before Diwali on 8 November.

Short-term: Large crowds are expected at Connaught Place on the second evening, with traffic and Metro rush in central Delhi.

Long-term: If well received, government-run drone shows could become a regular feature of Delhi's festival calendar as an alternative to fireworks.

Who is affected: Delhi residents and visitors, traders and restaurants in Connaught Place, young people drawn to bhajan clubbing and contests, and commuters in central Delhi.

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