In Ayodhya, ‘Surya Tilak’ of Ram Lalla on Ram Navami

Prime Minister Narendra Modi in a post on X mentioned it as a moment of bliss. In a roughly translated post in Hindi, PM Modi wrote, “After the Nalbari meeting, I had the privilege of witnessing the wonderful and incomparable moment of Surya Tilak of Ram Lalla in Ayodhya. This much-awaited moment of Shri Ram Janmabhoomi is a moment of bliss for everyone. This Surya Tilak will illuminate every resolution of developed India with its divine energy in the same way.”

“Sunrays will illuminate the face of Ram Lalla for straight four minutes. Teams of scientists from the Central Building Research Institute (CBRI), Roorkee, and another institute are engaged in this work,” a trust official said earlier.

“Two mirrors and a lens have been installed on the ground floor of the temple. Sunlight will fall on them from a mirror placed on the third floor. The rays reflected by these will form tilak on the forehead,” the official said.

Since there is no way for direct sunlight to enter the temple’s “garbha griha” or sanctum sanctorum where the idol is placed, the optomechanical equipment was installed to throw sunrays on the idol’s forehead through mirrors and lenses.

With this optomechanical system, ‘surya tilak’ of the idol will be done every year on the day of Ram Navami with minor alterations in the mirrors and lenses keeping in mind the changes in direction.

Manish Tripathi, who designed the special outfit for the idol told PTI, “First of all, I would like to wish everyone on the occasion of Ram Navami. Today’s outfit of Ram Lalla is specially designed. We have used ‘pitambar’ (yellow robe), as well as khadi and handloom to make the outfit. The symbols of the ‘Vaishno’ sect have been used in the making of the dress. Gold and silver threads have been used in the dress.”