Ayodhya’s Ram Temple Radiates with ‘Surya Tilak’ Ceremony on Ram Navami
GG News Bureau
Ayodhya, 17th April. Today at noon, the grand Ram Temple in Ayodhya witnessed a remarkable event as the forehead of the Ram Lalla idol was anointed with a beam of sunlight, known as ‘Surya Tilak,’ on the auspicious occasion of Ram Navami. This unique phenomenon, achieved through cutting-edge scientific expertise, illuminated the deity’s forehead with a 5.8 centimeter beam of light.
A team of ten esteemed Indian scientists, stationed at the Ram Mandir, worked diligently to ensure the success of this auspicious event. Using a specialized instrument designed by scientists from a leading government institution, this mechanism, officially termed the ‘Surya Tilak mechanism,’ marks a significant scientific and engineering feat.
Dr. Pradeep Kumar Ramacharla, Scientist and Director at the Central Building Research Institute (CBRI), Roorkee, explained the intricate workings of the opto-mechanical system. He detailed the system’s components, including mirrors and lenses strategically placed to direct sunlight onto the idol’s forehead, facing east. This mechanism involved collaboration between scientists from CBRI, Roorkee, and the Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIAP), Bengaluru.
Dr. Pradeep Chauhan, Scientist at CBRI, expressed confidence in the flawless anointing of the statue of Ram Lalla. To ensure the timely occurrence of this ritual, intricate arrangements involving 19 gears were implemented, without relying on electricity or batteries.
India’s premier institution in astronomy, the Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA) in Bengaluru, played a crucial role in reconciling the lunar and solar calendars to ensure the Sun’s rays ceremoniously anoint the idol of Ram Lala on every Ram Navami.
The team involved in this monumental project includes esteemed scientists and consultants from CSIR-CBRI and IIA Bangalore, along with active participation from Optica, a Bengaluru-based company. This ‘Surya Tilak’ mechanism, while sharing similarities with existing ones in Jain temples and the Sun Temple at Konark, stands as a unique engineering marvel tailored for the Ram Temple in Ayodhya.
