lakhs-throng-ayodhya-as-surya-tilak-marks-ram-navami

Lakhs of devotees gathered in Ayodhya on Friday for Ram Navami as the ‘Surya Tilak’ ritual illuminated the forehead of Ram Lalla at the Ram Janmabhoomi temple during the auspicious Abhijit Muhurat.

The festival, which marks the birth of Lord Ram, falls on the ninth day of Chaitra Navratri. While celebrations were held across most parts of the country on Thursday, the Ram Janmabhoomi temple observed the occasion on Friday, with the Uttar Pradesh government declaring a two-day holiday.

At around noon, precisely channelled sun rays were directed onto the deity’s forehead for nearly nine minutes through a specially designed system of lenses and mirrors. Temple trust member Anil Mishra said the Surya Tilak ceremony remained the central attraction of the celebrations.

Fourteen priests conducted the rituals inside the sanctum sanctorum in accordance with Vedic traditions. Following the ceremony, the temple doors were briefly closed and ‘bhog’ comprising 56 dishes was offered to the deity.

Officials said this was the second Surya Tilak ceremony since the consecration of the idol. The mechanism used for the ritual included around 20 ashtadhatu pipes along with four lenses and four mirrors, which directed sunlight from a height of nearly 65 feet onto the deity.

Also read: Akhilesh accuses BJP of ‘playing’ with his security

Earlier in the day, the idol was adorned in yellow garments, and the morning ‘aarti’ was performed at around 5.30 am.

Authorities estimated that around 10 lakh devotees visited the temple on the occasion, with heavy footfall across the temple complex and adjoining routes, including Ram Path, Bhakti Path and Janmabhoomi Path. Large screens were installed across the city to broadcast the ceremony for devotees.

The festival passed off peacefully under heightened security arrangements. The city was divided into multiple security zones, with personnel from paramilitary forces, Provincial Armed Constabulary and civil police deployed at key points.

Teams from the National Disaster Response Force and State Disaster Response Force, along with water police, were stationed along the Saryu River to manage crowds and ensure safety.