Ram Lalla’s Forehead Illuminates with “Surya-Tilak” in Ayodhya on the Occasion of Ramnavami

Radiant Reverence: Ram Lalla's Surya-Tilak Shines Bright on Ramnavami in Ayodhya

Written by: Supriya Kadu

Edited by: Omkar Devadkar

Last Updated: April 17, 2024

Summary: During Ram Lalla's Surya Tilak ritual, the sun's rays were projected onto the deity's forehead by a complex system of mirrors and lenses.

On the day of Ram Navami, a large crowd gathered at Ayodhya's Ram Mandir to witness Ram Lalla's Surya Tilak. The Ram Mandir doors opened for pilgrims at 3:30 a.m. on Wednesday. The Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust has extended the time for darshan on occasion and declared that 'no special darshan will be planned on the day'.

Ram Navami celebrations began on Wednesday, following the 'Pran Pratishtha' ceremony at the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh. As part of the Ram Navami celebrations, an ethereal occurrence called 'Surya Tilak' was performed, which briefly illuminated Lord Ram Lalla's forehead. An intricate system of mirrors and lenses allowed the deity to don his "Surya tilak." This system was tested by scientists on Tuesday.

"The main goal of the Surya Tilak project is to apply a 'tilak' to the forehead of the Shri Ram Lalla idol during each Shri Ram Navami celebration. As part of this initiative, sunlight would be directed onto Lord Ram's forehead precisely at noon on Shri Ram Navami in the Chaitra month every year," revealed Dr. S.K. Panigrahi, a scientist from CSIR-CBRI Roorkee who worked on the project.

He stated that the tilak on the center of the forehead lasted approximately three to three-and-a-half minutes, with two minutes of full illumination.

Anil Mishra, a member of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, previously stated that during the Surya tilak, worshipers would be permitted to enter the Ram temple. The temple trust is installing approximately 100 LED displays, while the government is installing 50, to show the Rama Navami celebrations. People will be able to view the celebrations from wherever they are.

The head priest went on to say that everything had been decorated and additionally that Lord Ram's idol had been carefully attired for the occasion: "He is bathed with Panchamrit after being dressed in yellow clothes." In addition to the 56 various offerings presented to the Lord, four to five different kinds of panjiris are created."