On this Ram Navami, it was the first time that people celebrated the festival after the consecration of the idol of Lord Ram at the new temple in Ayodhya.
On the auspicious occasion of Ram Navami, sunlight fell on the forehead of the idol of Ram Lalla at the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya, creating a beautiful ‘surya tilak’ mark. It was a special moment as this was the first Ram Navami celebrated after the idol of Lord Ram was consecrated at the new temple. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had inaugurated the temple on January 22.
At 12:01 pm, the radiant sun delicately illuminated Ram Lalla’s forehead within the sanctified walls of the Ram temple in Ayodhya, casting a golden glow on the revered deity’s visage for a fleeting two to two-and-a-half minutes. The tilak mark, measuring approximately 58 mm, gleamed with divine splendor as if blessed by the heavens themselves.
This magical spectacle was magnificently showcased on grand LED screens strategically placed across nearly 100 vantage points in Ayodhya, captivating the hearts and minds of all who beheld this ethereal moment.
The ‘Surya tilak’ was a clever device developed by scientists from the Indian Institute of Technology, Roorkee, with the help of the Indian Institute of Astrophysics. It used mirrors and lenses to reflect sunlight into the temple’s sanctum sanctorum from the third floor near the shikara. This ingenious mechanism allowed the sunlight to reach places where direct sunlight couldn’t go naturally.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi was in Assam and joyfully exclaimed ‘Jai Shri Ram’ during the ceremony. He shared, “There’s a fresh spirit across the nation, and after 500 years, it’s a special occasion for Lord Ram to celebrate his birthday in his homeland.” In a tweet, he invited devotees of Lord Ram worldwide to be a part of this special celebration.
“Today marks a historic Ram Navami in Ayodhya, made possible by the dedication, perseverance, and sacrifices of our people over the centuries. Let us cherish this momentous occasion and the unity it symbolizes,” tweeted PM Modi.