Sun kisses Ram Lalla’s forehead on Ram Navami

April 17, 2024 12:49 pm | Updated 12:55 pm IST

On the occasion of Ram Navami, ‘Surya Abhishek’ of Ram Lalla in Ayodhya temple was held for five long minutes from 12:16 p.m. on April 17.

The ‘Surya Tilak’ or ‘Surya Abhishek’ refers to a ray of sunlight made to fall on the idol’s forehead on a designated day, in this case, Ram Navami, believed to be the birthday of Lord Ram that usually falls during March or April.

This is the first time that Ram Lalla celebrated Ram Navami in the grand temple. Devotees from all over the country and the world came to Ayodhya for the occasion.

The sun rays fell on Lord Ramlala’s forehead for about five minutes at 12:16 p.m., for which important technical arrangements were made.

‘Surya tilak’ mechanism

The “Surya Tilak” of Ram Lalla became possible through an elaborate system connected with mirrors and lenses in the Ram Temple. The CSIR-Central Building Research Institute in Roorkee ”majorly contributed towards the structural design of the main temple, designing ‘Surya Tilak’ mechanism, design-vetting of temple foundation, and monitoring the structural health of the main temple,” Science and Technology Minister Jitendra Singh had said.

The DST-Indian Institute of Astrophysics, Bengaluru also provided “technical support” to triangulate the sun rays and the idol’s position for the ‘Surya Tilak’. Optica, a Bengaluru-based company specialising in precision instruments, was involved in manufacturing the lenses and brass tubes.

“Gear box and reflective mirrors/lenses have been arranged such that sun rays will be deflected to Garbha Griha (sanctum sanctorum) using well known principles of tracking Sun’s path,” Mr. Singh added.

(With agency inputs)