Ram Lalla's Surya Tilak Completed: Watch mesmerising images of sun kissing Lord Ram's forehead in Ayodhya's Ram Mandir

A huge rush of devotees witnessed Ram Lalla's Surya Tilak in Ayodhya's Ram Mandir on the occasion of Ram Navami. The Ram temple doors were opened for pilgrims at 3:30 a.m. on Wednesday. The Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust has extended the period of darshan on the occasion and stated that 'no special darshan will be organized on the day'.

The Surya Abhishek or Surya Tilak ritual happened today when 'the Sun's rays fell on the forehead of Ram Lalla'.

The 'Surya tilak' of the deity was made possible by 'an elaborate mechanism involving mirrors and lenses'.


"The primary goal of the Surya Tilak project is to place a 'tilak' on the forehead of the Shri Ram idol during each Shri Ram Navami celebration. As part of this initiative, sunlight will be directed onto the forehead of Lord Ram precisely at noon on Shri Ram Navami in the Chaitra month annually," explained Dr S.K. Panigrahi, a Scientist at CSIR-CBRI Roorkee, who played a role in the project.

Researchers from IIT-Roorkee crafted the Surya Tilak mechanism for the Ram Mandir. At precisely noon on April 17, sunlight illuminated Ram Lalla's forehead for approximately two to two-and-a-half minutes. The apparatus, featuring mirrors and lenses, directs sunlight accurately onto the deity, symbolizing precision and devotion.

During the Ram Navami festival, Trust General Secretary Champat Rai mentioned that darshan will continue from 3:30 am in the Brahma Muhurta. He added, 'Shringaar Aarti of Ram Lalla will take place at 5 a.m.'

Following Shayan Aarti on Ram Navami, 'prasads will be available at the exit from the temple'. Darshan will be facilitated if the devotees keep 'their mobile, shoes, slippers, big bags and prohibited items safely away from the temple'.

The ban on VIP darshan has been extended by one day. Currently, there will be 'no VIP darshan till April 19'.

Below Sugriva Fort, in front of Birla Dharamshala, at the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi entrance, 'a passenger service centre has been set up by the temple trust', in which 'public facilities are available'. There are arrangements for the devotees ranging from 'seating to treatment'.

Live telecasts of all the programmes was conducted in the temple and were telecased being done through LED screens at 100 places in the Ayodhya Municipal Corporation area.

The entire holy city has been 'decorated and illuminated for the occasion'.