Key Highlights
- Celestial Alignment: The Surya Tilak occurred during the Abhijit Muhurat, marking the symbolic birth of Lord Ram.
- Extended Darshan: To accommodate over one million pilgrims, temple doors remain open for 18 hours, from 5:00 AM to 11:00 PM.
- Engineering Marvel: A sophisticated system of 20 pipes, four lenses, and four mirrors directed the sun’s rays onto the deity.
- Ritualistic Adornment: Ram Lalla was dressed in magnificent yellow Pitambar robes and offered a “56 Bhog” feast.
- Massive Turnout: Record crowds have gathered across Ram Path and Janmabhoomi Path, with security heightened for the grand celebrations.
Today, March 27, 2026, the holy city of Ayodhya witnessed a spectacular display of devotion and technical brilliance during the Ram Navami celebrations. For the second time since the historic Pran Pratishtha in 2024, the “Surya Tilak” ceremony was successfully conducted, drawing hundreds of thousands of eyes to the sanctum sanctorum of the Ram Janmabhoomi Temple.
The Mechanics of the Surya Tilak
At precisely 12:00 PM, during the Abhijit Muhurat, the sun’s rays were expertly maneuvered to form a circular mark on the forehead of the idol. This feat was made possible by a 65-foot-long optomechanical system, a collaboration between the Central Building Research Institute (CBRI), Roorkee, and the Indian Institute of Astrophysics. The mechanism, constructed using 20 specialized Ashtadhatu pipes, utilizes a series of four high-quality lenses and four mirrors to guide sunlight through the temple’s multiple tiers directly to the Garbhagriha.
Rituals and Sacred Offerings
The day commenced with the Mangala Aarti at 5:30 AM, where the deity was adorned in vibrant yellow silk robes, or Pitambar. Following the main Surya Tilak ceremony, 14 chief priests led special prayers and a grand Aarti. In honor of the birth anniversary, a traditional offering of “56 Bhog”, consisting of various sweets, fruits, and delicacies, was presented to Ram Lalla. Per tradition, the temple doors were briefly closed following the ceremony to allow the deity to rest before the evening festivities.
Unprecedented Devotee Influx
Ayodhya has transformed into a sea of saffron as approximately one million devotees have converged on the city. To manage the massive influx, the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust extended Darshan timings significantly. Visitors can now seek blessings for a total of 18 hours, a sharp increase from the standard 15-hour window.
The administration has deployed extensive crowd management protocols along Ram Path, Bhakti Path, and Janmabhoomi Path to ensure the safety of the pilgrims. Large LED screens have also been installed across the city to live-stream the rituals for those unable to enter the temple complex during the peak hours.
