Ayodhya’s Ram Mandir is gearing up for a remarkable celestial event to commemorate Ram Navami on April 17. Devotees flocking to the temple will have the rare opportunity to witness an annual phenomenon where sunlight will be harnessed to create a divine ’tilak’ on the forehead of the newly-installed Ram Lalla’s murti. Termed as the ‘Surya Tilak,’ this event is touted as a convergence of science, engineering, and spirituality, with officials of the temple trust and scientists behind the mechanism emphasising its significance.
Describing the intricacies of the mechanism, R Dharamraju, chief scientist at the CSIR-Central Building Research Institute (CBRI), elucidated that the apparatus operates on the principle of tracking the sun’s trajectory. Lenses and reflective mirrors arranged meticulously will direct sunlight from the third floor to the sanctum-sanctorum, casting a divine mark on the idol’s forehead. This phenomenon is scheduled to occur for four minutes around noon on Ram Navami.
Champat Rai, general secretary of the Ram Temple trust, highlighted the symbolism behind the ‘Surya Tilak,’ underscoring Lord Ram’s lineage as a descendant of the Sun God. Rai expressed that this mechanism is a testament to the intricate fusion of engineering and optical science, signifying the celestial bond between heaven and earth.
The meticulous design of the mechanism involved collaboration among technicians and scientists from CSIR-Central Building Research Institute (CBRI), Indian Institute of Astrophysics, Optica, Bangalore, and others. With a pledge of 100 percent success, officials assure devotees that the ‘Surya Tilak’ formation on Lord Ram’s forehead is guaranteed.
To ensure the precision of the event, special arrangements comprising 19 gears have been instituted, aligning with the lunar calendar’s calculation of Ram Navami. Remarkably, the entire mechanism operates without the use of batteries or iron components, highlighting its eco-friendly and sustainable nature.
As preparations intensify for the grand event, anticipation mounts among devotees eager to witness this rare convergence of spirituality and science. With meticulous planning and scientific prowess at play, Ayodhya’s Ram Mandir is poised to become the focal point of reverence and awe on the auspicious occasion of Ram Navami, as the divine tilak adorns the forehead of Lord Ram in a celestial spectacle unlike any other.
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