Ayodhya’s Ram Temple witnessed a celestial occurrence during the auspicious occasion of Ram Navami as the forehead of Ram Lalla’s murti was adorned with a unique mark of sunlight known as ‘Surya Tilak’ on Wednesday, April 17.

The extraordinary event, which took place at noon, involved a meticulously planned process utilising mirrors and lenses within the temple premises. Commissioned by the temple trust, a team of scientists orchestrated the phenomenon, ensuring that a beam of sunlight precisely illuminated the forehead of the revered Ram Lalla’s murti.

Employing their scientific expertise, the team directed sunlight onto the statue’s forehead using a combination of mirrors and lenses, creating the spectacular ‘Surya Tilak’ mark. This remarkable occurrence lasted for about three minutes, adding a divine touch to the Ram Navami celebrations.

The ‘Surya Tilak’ ceremony, a symbol of divine blessings, garnered attention from devotees and visitors alike, witnessing a seamless fusion of tradition and modern technology within the sacred confines of the Ram Temple.

Even as Ram Lala was to be anointed with the Surya Tilak, Prime Minister Narendra Modi made a reference to the historic occasion in his election rally at Nalbari Assam. With a chant of Jai Siyawar Ram the PM said “Today is the historic occasion of Ram Navami. After waiting for 500 years, Bhagwan Ram has been seated in his grand temple. Now after a few minutes, by applying Surya Tilak to Bhagwan Ram, his birth anniversary will be celebrated in the holy city of Ayodhya, in the Ram Temple.”

The moment of the Surya Tilak had devotees in raptures as chants of Jai Shri Ram were heard across Ayodhya and even in temples across the country. Devotees broke out into song and dance outside the Ram Janambhoomi Mandir. This is the first Ram Navami after the Pran Pratishtha of the murti of Bhagwan Ram by PM Modi on January 22 in Ayodhya.

Ram Navami is being celebrated with great pomp at Ram Janambhoomi Mandir with offerings of 56 types of bhog, prasad, and panjiri.

A large number of devotees thronged Ram Mandir on Wednesday morning in a vibrant display of faith and celebration.

Before visiting the temple, devotees took a dip in the holy waters of the Saryu River.The darshan at the temple had started at 3:30 am. The celebration was broadcast on about 100 LED screens throughout the city. It was also broadcast on the trust’s social media accounts.

Earlier, Acharya Satyendra Das, Chief Priest of Ram Janmabhoomi Temple, informed that everything has been decorated and the murti of Bhagwan Ram has been specially dressed for the day, “He is dressed in yellow clothes, and after this he is bathed with Panchamrit. Four-five types of panjiris are made and along with that, 56 types of offerings are made to the Bhagwan.”