What does Ram Lalla’s “surya tilak” mean? Learn the science behind this unusual event at the temple of Ayodhya.

On this auspicious anniversary of Ram Navami, the magnificent Ram Temple in Ayodhya saw a rare incident as the forehead of the Ram Lalla statue was anointed with a ray of sunshine, known as ‘Surya Tilak’. This remarkable occurrence was created by using state-of-the-art scientific knowledge to develop a specialized apparatus, which represents a noteworthy achievement in both science and engineering.

Ten highly respected Indian scientists who work at the Ram Mandir made sure this momentous occasion went well by coordinating the exact placement of sunlight on the statue’s forehead. On a commission from the temple trust, researchers at a top government laboratory created an intricate system of mirrors and lenses that they called the ‘Surya Tilak mechanism’.

The complex operation of the optomechanical system was described by Dr. Pradeep Kumar Ramacharla, a scientist and director of the Central Building Research Institute (CBRI), located in Roorkee. He explained how the apparatus, which consists of mirrors and lenses, uses accepted solar tracking concepts to accurately focus sunlight onto Shree Ram’s forehead when facing east.

The ‘Surya Tilak’ mechanism was developed in part because to collaboration between scientists at the Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIAP), Bengaluru, and CBRI, Roorkee. The project’s implementation was made easier by the Indian Institute of Astrophysics’ technical assistance and the manufacturing know-how of Optica, a Bengaluru-based business.

Scientist Dr. Pradeep Chauhan of CBRI, Roorkee, expressed confidence in the perfect anointing of the statue of Ram Lalla, which was accomplished by careful planning and elaborate arrangements. The event required intricate procedures to guarantee its timely occurrence without relying on energy or batteries, and it was timed to coincide with the fixed day of Ram Navami based on the lunar calendar.

The Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA), a world-class astronomical facility located in Bengaluru, was instrumental in resolving the apparent discrepancy between the solar and lunar calendars. The IIA’s director, Dr. Annapurni Subramaniam, emphasized the use of the institute’s positional astronomy skills to guarantee the ritual anointing of the Ram Lalla idol on each Ram Navami.

India’s scientific prowess and cultural legacy are demonstrated by the successful implementation of the ‘Surya Tilak’ mechanism, which combines tradition and technology innovation in a harmonious celebration of faith.