Today, on Ram Navami, something remarkable occurred at Ayodhya’s Ram Temple. Ram Lalla, who was honored there in January, experienced Surya Tilak, where sunrays shone on the deity’s forehead. According to belief, Lord Ram, from the Ishvaku lineage, is thought to be descended from the Sun God, known as Suryavanshis.
Surya Tilak on Ram Lalla Idol in Ayodhya
On Ram Navami, the Sun’s rays formed a ‘surya tilak’ on Ram Lalla’s forehead at the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya. It was the first Ram Navami celebrated since the installation of Lord Ram’s idol at the new temple, inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on January 22.
Around 12:01 pm, for about two to two-and-a-half minutes, the Sun’s rays beautifully adorned Ram Lalla’s forehead with a tilak measuring about 58 mm. This captivating event was broadcasted on large LED screens placed in nearly 100 locations across Ayodhya.
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What Is The Science Behind Surya Tilak on Ram Lalla?
Scientists from IIT-Roorkee teamed up to create the Surya Tilak gadget. They used top-notch mirrors and lenses to accurately aim the Sun’s rays onto Ram Lalla’s forehead at a specific time.
The gadget, resembling a gearbox with reflective mirrors and lenses, will bounce sunlight from the third floor near the ‘shikara’ to the ‘garbhagriha’ (inner sanctum) at the right moment.
Crafted from durable brass and bronze materials, the mechanism is designed to align the Sun with Ram Navami day each year. Its components, including the optical path and pipings, are built to last without the need for frequent maintenance.
Trials of the Surya Tilak gadget have been successfully conducted. Technical assistance on the Sun’s path came from the Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA), Bengaluru, while Optica, a Bengaluru-based company, handled the manufacturing of lenses and brass tubes.
Dr. Pradeep Chauhan, a scientist from CBRI involved in the temple’s design, confirmed that the Sun’s rays would indeed anoint the idol of Ram Lalla, emphasizing the mechanism’s reliance on gears rather than electricity or batteries.
Traditional Indian alloy Pancha Dhathu is also utilized in the Surya Tilak gadget. Former ISRO scientist Manish Purohit highlighted three key considerations for ensuring the illumination of Ram Lalla’s forehead: Archaeoastronomy, the analemma, and the Metonic cycle.
Archaeoastronomy involves using celestial positions in monument design, while the analemma tracks the Sun’s yearly position changes due to Earth’s tilt and orbit. The Metonic cycle, spanning around 19 years, ensures alignment between the date of Ram Navami and its corresponding ‘tithi’ (lunar phase), ensuring the mechanism’s accuracy.
Ram Navami at Ayodhya Ram Temple Updates
Ayodhya Devotees: Before heading to the Ram temple, many devotees took a sacred dip in the Saryu River. They started gathering at the riverbanks during the night, and the temple opened for ‘Darshan’ at 3:30am.
Ram Idol Consecration: This Ram Navami marked the first celebration since the consecration of the new Ram idol at the temple, inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on January 22.
LED Screens for Viewing: To enhance the celebration experience, the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust installed around 100 LED screens, while the government set up 50 more. These screens broadcasted the Ram Navami festivities, allowing people to participate from anywhere.
Security Preparations: IG Praveen Kumar of Ayodhya Range assured devotees of comprehensive security arrangements during their visit.
Surya Tilak: Scientists from the Central Building Research Institute in Roorkee calculated the timing of the surya tilak, a sacred ritual, based on the Sun’s movement. The Ram Lalla’s ‘Surya Abhishek’ used advanced optical technology with high-quality mirrors and lenses, ensuring precision.
PM Modi’s Idea: During his visit to Ayodhya in 2022, PM Modi suggested that the temple’s design should allow sunlight to directly illuminate the Ram Lalla idol on Ram Navami, inspired by the Konark Sun Temple in Odisha.
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Surya Tilak on Ram Lalla Idol in Ayodhya FAQs
Q.1. What is Surya Tilak on Ram Navami?
Ans. Surya Tilak is when the Sun’s rays form a sacred mark on Ram Lalla’s forehead during Ram Navami, symbolizing divine blessings.
Q.2. How was the Surya Tilak gadget created?
Ans. Engineers from IIT-Roorkee designed the gadget using mirrors and lenses to precisely direct sunlight onto Ram Lalla’s forehead at a specific time.
Q.3. What materials were used in the gadget’s construction?
Ans. Durable brass and bronze materials were utilized to construct the Surya Tilak gadget, ensuring longevity and reliability.
Q.4. Who provided technical assistance for the mechanism?
Ans. Technical support came from the Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA), Bengaluru, while Optica, a Bengaluru-based company, handled manufacturing.
Q.5. What factors ensure the accuracy of the Sun’s alignment with Ram Lalla’s forehead?
Ans. Factors include Archaeoastronomy, tracking the Sun’s position changes (analemma), and the Metonic cycle, ensuring precise alignment with Ram Navami each year.
