The upcoming Ram Navami on April 17 holds special significance for devotees as it marks Ram Lalla's first celebration at the newly built Ram Mandir in Ayodhya. To commemorate this occasion, a unique ritual called Surya Tilak, or Surya Abhishek, will take place. This ritual involves directing the Sun's rays onto the forehead of Ram Lalla as a symbol of reverence.
The concept of Surya Abhishek combines optics and mechanics, where mirrors and lenses are used to focus the Sun's rays onto the deity's forehead. In the case of the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya, scientists from the Indian Institute of Technology, Roorkee, have designed a special apparatus for this purpose. This apparatus, consisting of high-quality mirrors and lenses, will precisely direct the Sun's rays onto Ram Lalla's forehead at a specific time.
While the use of modern engineering techniques for Surya Abhishek may seem novel, the practice itself is not new. Ancient Indian temples, such as the Suriyanar Kovil temple in Tamil Nadu, have incorporated astronomically calculated openings to allow sunlight to directly illuminate the deity on specific days.
Similarly, other temples across India, including the Nanarayanaswamy Temple in Andhra Pradesh, the Mahalakshmi Temple in Maharashtra, and the Koba Jain Temple in Gujarat, also host rituals where the Sun's rays fall directly on the deity's idol.
The upcoming Surya Tilak ceremony at the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya is a testament to the blend of tradition and science, where modern engineering is used to uphold ancient rituals. It will be a momentous occasion, symbolizing the convergence of spirituality, culture, and technological innovation.
