Ram Navami, a festival celebrating the birth of Lord Rama, will be observed nationwide on April 17, 2024. Preparation for this festival is underway, particularly at the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya. This year, special arrangements are being made for the application of Surya Tilak (sun mark) on Lord Rama in Ayodhya during Ram Navami celebrations.
Background
After decades, the construction of the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya has been completed. Earlier this year, in January, the consecration ceremony of the Ram Mandir took place in Ayodhya. Now, special preparations are being made at the Ram Mandir for the celebration of Ram Navami.
Process of Applying Surya Tilak
On April 17, during the auspicious festival of Ram Navami, Lord Rama’s idol in Ayodhya will be anointed with the rays of the sun as a form of Surya Tilak. According to information, a special process using an optical mechanical system will be employed to bring the rays of the sun to Lord Rama’s forehead. Through this process, sunlight will first fall on the first glass situated on the third floor of the temple, then pass through three lenses, and finally reach Lord Rama’s forehead.
It’s reported that the sunlight will pass through two more glasses before reaching the final glass situated on the ground floor, where it will then fall on Lord Rama’s forehead, completing the application of Surya Tilak. The application of Surya Tilak is expected to last for about 4 minutes and will appear in the shape of a circular mark, measuring 75 millimeters in diameter.
This special ritual aims to symbolically honor Lord Rama and add to the significance of the Ram Navami celebrations at the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya.