PM Modi Turns 76: ‘Ashirwad Ka Diya’ To Be Lit At 500+ Locations Across India

Add as a preferred source on Google

Prime Minister Narendra Modi turns 76 on September 17, 2026, marking another birthday amid a nationwide programme of events organised by the BJP. Modi, who became Gujarat chief minister in October 2001 and went on to become India's prime minister in 2014, is also completing 25 years in public life this year.

Photo Credit: Instagram@writebookofficial/bjymofficial

The milestone is being marked with a month-long 'Seva Sankalp Abhiyan', featuring service and outreach activities across the country. One of the key programmes planned for his birthday is 'Ashirwad Ka Diya', under which diyas will be lit at more than 500 prominent locations.

What Is 'Ashirwad Ka Diya'?

'Ashirwad Ka Diya' is a nationwide lamp-lighting initiative being held as part of the birthday celebrations. The BJP has appealed to people to light a diya at their homes on September 17 as a gesture of blessings and good wishes for the Prime Minister.

The initiative particularly seeks participation from families who have benefited from various government welfare schemes. Collective lamp-lighting programmes are also being organised at prominent public locations across different states.

More Than 500 Locations To Take Part

According to reports, more than 500 prominent locations across India will host 'Ashirwad Ka Diya' programmes. The lamp-lighting is scheduled as part of the evening celebrations on September 17.

Several states and cities are also planning their own large-scale events. In Delhi, 1.25 lakh diyas are scheduled to be lit at Kartavya Path, while people have been encouraged to light diyas at home between 6 pm and 7 pm.

In Ujjain, a large Deepotsav has also been planned around the Shipra river ghats and Mahakal Lok, with around 25 lakh lamps expected to be lit.

Gujarat Plans Over 88 Lakh Diyas

Gujarat is preparing one of the largest lamp-lighting programmes linked to the celebrations. More than 88 lakh earthen lamps are planned across over 18,500 locations, including temples, rivers, lakes, gardens, public squares and other prominent places.

The figure is separate from the 500-plus prominent locations mentioned for the nationwide 'Ashirwad Ka Diya' programme and should not be treated as the number of diyas being lit specifically at those 500 locations.

Month-Long 'Seva Sankalp Abhiyan' Begins

The diya initiative is only one part of the BJP's 'Seva Sankalp Abhiyan', which will run from September 17 to October 17. The campaign has been announced to mark PM Modi's 25 years in public life.

The month-long programme includes blood donation camps, cleanliness drives, health camps, youth outreach and other public-service activities. Two bike rallies connecting Vadnagar, Modi's birthplace, and Varanasi, his Lok Sabha constituency, are also among the planned events.

PM Modi's Birthday Marked By Service And Public Participation

With lamp-lighting ceremonies planned across cities, towns and villages, 'Ashirwad Ka Diya' is set to be one of the central features of Modi's 76th birthday celebrations. The wider Seva Sankalp Abhiyan will continue for a month, extending the observances beyond September 17 and placing the focus on service-oriented activities and public participation.