Beyond Ritual: The Science Behind 'Surya Tilak' at Ram Temple | Explained

Ayodhya: When Ram Navami was celebrated with fervour and devotion by millions of Hindus worldwide, Ayodhya Dham in Uttar Pradesh marked a historic event at newly-built Ram Mandir. From 12 noon to 12:05 PM, Sun rays symbolically marked the forehead of Ram Lalla's idol placed in 'Garbhagriha (Sanctum Sanctorum)'.  

The divine ‘Surya Tilak’ of Ram Lalla will be conducted every year on the ninth day of the Chaitra month which marks Lord Ram's birth. The priests of Ayodhya Ram Mandir had already conducted a successful trial of 'Surya Tilak' in the presence of scientists who designed the project. 

Ahead of today's event, Ram Mandir Nirman Samiti Chairman Nripendra Misra said, “We are practising that the sun rays fall on Lord's forehead at 12.16 pm for 5 minutes. We are making important technical arrangements for it. The trust and the scientists are working together to make it successful.”

Science Behind ‘Surya Tilak’ 

The ‘Surya Tilak’ technique, designed by the scientists at the CSIR- Central Building Research Institute (CBRI), used the intricate network of mirrors and lenses to channel the sunlight ray in the Garbhagriha of Ayodhya Ram Mandir. It converged on the forehead of Ram Lalla for about five minutes. 

“To achieve this, an optical lens will be placed on the third floor of the temple which will channel the ray to the ground floor through a series of reflectors placed in pipes,” Chief Scientist at the CBRI, R Dharamraju, was cited by PTI.

The workers have studied the Saurya and Chandra calendar to calculate the position of sun on the Ram Navami day.

According to the temple trust officials, an apparatus with reflective mirrors and lenses were used to direct sunrays from the third floor near the shikhara to be reflected into the sanctum sanctorum. 

The apparatus gearbox was made using several components including bronze and brass materials for corrosion resistance and durability. Based on the accurate reading of the lunar calendar, the apparatus will be used to position sun every year on Ram Navami.   

What Is Surya Tilak? 

Derived from Surya (sun) and abhishek (a ritual), Surya Tilak actually means engineering of mechanics and optics together. Using the technology, the sun rays are made to illuminate deity's forehead. 

The practice of Surya Abhishek using technology is not new to India and has been essential to the ancient temples of the subcontinent.