Ayodhya: At the grand Ram Mandir in Ayodhya, a unique event unfolded as the forehead of the Ram Lalla idol received the ‘Surya Tilak’ ceremony, anointing it with a beam of sunlight on the auspicious occasion of Ram Navami.
Utilizing advanced scientific expertise, a specialized instrument was crafted to precisely direct a 5.8-centimeter beam of light onto the deity’s forehead.
Spearheaded by a team of ten esteemed Indian scientists stationed at the mandir, this phenomenon lasted approximately 3 to 3.5 minutes, commencing at 12 noon. Commissioned by the Mandir trust, this sophisticated apparatus, officially termed the ‘Surya Tilak mechanism’, involved the meticulous coordination of mirrors and lenses. Dr. Pradeep Kumar Ramacharla, Scientist and Director at the Central Building Research Institute (CBRI), Roorkee, elucidated the intricate workings of the optomechanical system, which employed four mirrors and four lenses housed within a tilt mechanism and piping systems. The culmination of this endeavor resulted in the focused alignment of sunlight rays onto the deity’s forehead, facing eastward. Collaborative efforts between scientists from CBRI, Roorkee, and the Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIAP), Bengaluru, were instrumental in realizing this feat. Technical support from the Indian Institute of Astrophysics and manufacturing expertise from Optica, a Bengaluru-based company, further facilitated the project’s execution. Dr. Pradeep Chauhan, Scientist at CBRI, expressed confidence in the flawless execution of the ‘Surya Tilak’, meticulously timed to coincide with the fixed date of Ram Navami, based on the lunar calendar. With meticulous arrangements involving 19 gears, the ceremony unfolded seamlessly without reliance on electricity, batteries, or iron-based components. This remarkable endeavor exemplifies the intersection of tradition and modern scientific innovation, ensuring the continuity of sacred rituals in contemporary times.
