The Ram Janmabhoomi Temple in Ayodhya witnessed a divine spectacle on Sunday as the ‘Surya Tilak’ illuminated the forehead of the Ram Lalla idol precisely at noon, marking the occasion of Ram Navami.
The rare alignment, described as a celestial blessing by devotees, saw a beam of sunlight fall directly on the deity’s forehead, forming a radiant tilak. The visual marvel drew thousands of worshippers to the temple complex, with many capturing the moment on their phones while priests conducted aarti and offered prayers.
Ram Navami is a significant Hindu festival commemorating the birth of Lord Rama, the seventh incarnation of Lord Vishnu.
Celebrated on the ninth day of Chaitra Navaratri, which typically falls in March or April, devotees observe this day with rituals such as fasting, chanting mantras, reading the Ramayana, and performing special pujas and abhishekam.
The 'Surya Tilak' is a unique event where a ray of sunlight is directed onto the forehead of the Ram Lalla idol, symbolising a divine blessing.
This phenomenon is achieved through an elaborate mechanism involving mirrors and lenses, meticulously designed by a team of scientists from the Central Building Research Institute (CBRI), Roorkee, in consultation with the Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA), Bengaluru. The system ensures that the sunlight is precisely directed onto the idol's forehead at noon on Ram Navami each year.
Visuals from the temple depicted priests performing aarti as the sunbeam formed a tilak on the idol's forehead. Devotees gathered in large numbers to witness this celestial event, chanting hymns and offering prayers.
The temple authorities implemented strict security measures to manage the crowd and ensure the safety of all attendees.
Ayodhya Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Rajkaran Nayyar stated, "A large number of devotees are arriving on the occasion of Ram Navami. We have divided the areas into different zones. Drones are being used for crowd management and security purposes."
Additional SP Madhuban Singh commented on the arrangements at Shri Ram Janmabhoomi temple, saying, "People come in large numbers to offer prayers on the occasion of Ram Navami...Police personnel have been deployed in large numbers to ensure the safety and security of devotees...Proper parking arrangements have also been made."Prime Minister Narendra Modi acknowledged the event, stating, "After my Nalbari rally, I watched the Surya Tilak on Ram Lalla. This long-awaited moment at Shri Ram Janmabhoomi is a moment of bliss for everyone."
The 'Surya Tilak' ceremony is set to become an annual tradition during Ram Navami celebrations at the Ram Janmabhoomi Temple, symbolising the confluence of scientific innovation and spiritual devotion.
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