The Aryavarth Express
Agency(AYODHYA): The Ram Mandir in Ayodhya celebrated Ram Navami with a unique ‘Surya Tilak’ ceremony, where sunlight was precisely directed to illuminate the forehead of the deity Ram Lalla. This event occurred on Tuesday and involved an intricate system of mirrors and lenses to create a stunning visual effect.
This engineering feat was accomplished through the collaboration of CSIR-Central Building Research Institute (CBRI), Roorkee, and the Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA), Bangalore. The setup was carefully planned and executed to align perfectly with the sun at the designated time.
Prakash Gupta, a spokesperson for the temple, detailed the proceedings to PTI. He explained that the ‘Surya Tilak’ lasted between four and five minutes during which sunlight was focused directly on the idol’s forehead. To manage this safely and prevent any risks associated with overcrowding, access to the sanctum sanctorum was restricted during the ceremony.
Dr. DP Kanungo, Chief Scientist at CSIR-CBRI, confirmed the precision of the timing: “As planned, the Surya Tilak of Ram Lalla was perfectly executed at 12:00 pm.” The system’s successful operation was verified on the day itself, following several tests.
The technical setup involved a complex array of four mirrors and four lenses integrated within a tilt mechanism and piping system, described Dr. S K Panigrahi, another scientist involved in the project. He elaborated that the apparatus was designed to channel sunlight from the top floor through these components to the idol, which faces east. Adjustments are made annually to align the system for Ram Navami.
The components used in the system were chosen for durability and efficacy; brass was used for the piping, and the mirrors and lenses were of high quality. “The inner surface of pipes, elbows, and enclosures are black powder coated to minimize sunlight scattering, and an infrared filter at the top aperture moderates the heat reaching the idol,” added Panigrahi. This careful design ensured both the spectacle and safety of the ‘Surya Tilak’ ceremony.