As the nation comes together to celebrate Ram Navami on April 6, 2025, an extraordinary moment awaits devotees in Ayodhya. This year, much like the last, a rare and beautiful celestial event will mark the divine birth of Lord Rama — a gentle ray of sunlight, precisely aligned through a complex system of mirrors and lenses, will fall upon the forehead of Ram Lalla’s idol, creating what is lovingly called the ‘Surya Tilak’.
This divine occurrence, which lasts for just over three minutes, is made possible by an intricate opto-mechanical setup embedded within the architecture of the newly constructed Ram Mandir. At exactly noon, when it is believed Lord Rama was born, the sunlight travels through a carefully calculated arrangement of mirrors and lenses, ultimately resting on the forehead of the idol in the temple’s sanctum. It’s a moment that resonates deeply with faith, devotion, and the seamless blend of science with spirituality.
The mastermind behind this unique optical marvel is Dr. Pradeep Kumar Ramacharla, a scientist and Director at the Central Building Research Institute (CBRI), Roorkee. Explaining the setup, he shared that the system includes four high-quality mirrors and lenses, housed in brass piping and coated interiors to prevent light scattering. The mechanism also includes a tilt adjustment that ensures the sun’s rays are correctly redirected each year as the Earth’s position shifts. An infrared filter protects the idol from the heat, allowing only the light to reach it.
What makes this even more fascinating is that the date of Ram Navami itself, determined by the lunar calendar, recurs in the same solar alignment every 19 years. This adds another layer of precision and reverence to the phenomenon, making it a rare blend of astronomy and faith.
For those who cannot make the journey to Ayodhya, the Ram Mandir trust and several news channels will be streaming the ceremony live on YouTube. At exactly 12 noon, viewers across the world can witness this ethereal moment as a soft beam of light gently touches the forehead of Ram Lalla, reminding everyone of the warmth, clarity, and divine grace that Lord Rama is believed to embody.
As millions bow their heads in prayer and chant his name, the Surya Tilak stands not just as a marvel of engineering, but as a symbol of devotion — a moment when the heavens themselves seem to acknowledge the birth of a beloved deity.
