Yesterday, was a significant event in the history of the nation. For it was for the first time in almost 500 years that Ram Lalla, was virajman at Ram Janmabhoomi in Ayodhya on the occasion of Ram Navami.
The whole of Ayodhya was decked up to celebrate the birth of their most revered Shri Ram. Similarly, celebrations were in full swing across the length and breadth of the country. Devotees celebrated Shri Ram’s birth by playing Ram Bhajans, doling out Mahaprasads at random corners, and holding the Shobha Yatras. Though Ram Navmi was always celebrated with great fervor, this time it was different. For it was the first time people celebrated Ram Navmi after the pran pratishtha of Ram Lalla.
Surya Tilak-
The celebration and fervor reached all new heights, as at noon, Ram Lalla was adorned with Surya Tilak. It was a magnificent and a magical moment to witness sun rays adorning the forehead of our Suryavanshi Shri Ram. As if Surya dev himself was blessing Ram Lalla on his birth anniversary.
#WATCH | ‘Surya Tilak’ illuminates Ram Lalla’s forehead at the Ram Janmabhoomi Temple in Ayodhya, on the occasion of Ram Navami.
(Source: DD) pic.twitter.com/rg8b9bpiqh
— ANI (@ANI) April 17, 2024
The Science Behind Surya Tilak-
The collective teamwork of Indian scientists made this magnificent event possible. Commissioned by the temple trust, scientists from top government institutes created an intricate system of mirrors and lenses. The entire mechanism known as the “Surya Tilak mechanism”, is a significant achievement in the fields of science and engineering.
Together with the Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIAP) in Bengaluru, scientists from CBRI in Roorkee worked on developing this mechanism. The team used well-established solar tracking concepts to precisely align sun rays from the third floor of the temple to the inner sanctuary, or Garbha Griha, by utilising a unique gearbox and reflective mirrors and lenses. The Indian Institute of Astrophysics provided technical support. While, Optica, a Bengaluru-based company, contributed with their manufacturing expertise, aiding in the project’s execution.
The Mechanism-
Using cutting edge technology, scientists created a state-of-the-art special instrument to make this phenomenon possible. A group of ten distinguished Indian scientists stationed at the Ram Mandir ensured the success of this auspicious event. They carefully focused sunlight onto the Ram Lalla’s forehead for 3-5 minutes, beginning at noon, using a combination of mirrors and lenses.
Dr Pradeep Kumar Ramacharla, Scientist and Director at the Central Building Research Institute (CBRI), Roorkee, explained this mechanism. He said, “The opto-mechanical system consists of four mirrors and four lenses fitted inside the tilt mechanism and piping system. The complete cover with an aperture for the tilt mechanism is placed at the top floor to divert the sun rays through mirrors and lenses to the Garbha Girha.”
He further stated that they use the tilt mechanism to create the Surya Tilak, each year on Shree Ram Navami. It changes the tilt of the first mirror, directing the sun’s rays towards the north and then reflects them onto the second mirror. He further elucidated that brass serves as the material utilized in the manufacturing of all the pipework. Then to prevent sunlight from scattering, they have powder-coated the interior surfaces of pipes, elbows, and enclosures black. Furthermore, they have installed an infrared filter glass at the top aperture to prevent the sun’s rays from heating the idol’s forehead.
Dr. Pradeep explained that they took the lunar calendar into consideration. They installed 19 gears in an intricate manner in order to ensure that the sun’s rays fall precisely on Shri Ram’s forehead on that day. All this arrangement in the mechanism is without relying on electricity, batteries or any kind of iron components.
Interestingly,
This mechanism has existed in ancient Indian temples since centuries – be it at the Konark Sun temple or at the Kolhapur Mahalakshmi temple. In fact, at the Vidyashankara Temple in Sringeri the sun rays fall on the 12 pillars each of which corresponds to the zodiac signs in exact order of the 12 months of Hindu calendar!
This shows how Vigyaan , Virasat and Vishwas has coexisted in Bharat and in a mutually inclusive manner.
