Ayodhya:
Today at 12 noon, the grand Ram temple in Ayodhya witnessed a unique event when the forehead of the Ram Lalla idol was anointed with a ray of sunshine, known as 'Surya Tilak', on the occasion of Ram Navami.
Using advanced scientific expertise, a 5.8 centimeter beam of light hit the deity's forehead. To achieve this remarkable phenomenon, a specialized instrument was designed. A team of ten esteemed Indian scientists stationed at the Ram Mandir ensured the success of this auspicious event on Ram Navami. Beginning at noon, sunlight was precisely focused on the statue's forehead for approximately 3 to 3.5 minutes using a combination of mirrors and lenses.
On behalf of the Temple Trust, scientists from a leading government agency designed an advanced device consisting of mirrors and lenses. This mechanism, officially called the 'Surya Tilak mechanism', marks a major scientific and technical achievement.
Dr. Pradeep Kumar Ramacharla, scientist and director of the Central Building Research Institute (CBRI), Roorkee, explained to NDTV the complex workings of the optomechanical system.
“The opto-mechanical system consists of four mirrors and four lenses mounted in the tilting mechanism and piping systems. The complete hood with an opening for the tilting mechanism is placed on the top floor to direct the sun's rays through mirrors and lenses to the Garbha . Girha,” said Dr. Ramacharla.
“The final lens and mirror focus the sun's rays on Shree Ram's forehead which faces east. The tilt mechanism is used to adjust the tilt of the first mirror, sending the sun's rays north to the second mirror to to make the Surya Tilak on each mirror. Shree Ram Navami of the year. All pipes and other parts are made of brass. The mirrors and lenses are of very high quality and durable a black powder coating to prevent sunlight scattering. In addition, an infrared filter glass is used at the top opening to prevent the sun's heat waves from falling on the idol's forehead,” he added.
The development of the 'Surya Tilak' mechanism involved collaboration between scientists from CBRI, Roorkee and the Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIAP), Bengaluru. Using a special gearbox and reflective mirrors and lenses, the team orchestrated the precise alignment of sunlight rays from the third floor of the temple to the inner sanctum (Garbha Griha), using established principles of solar tracking. Technical support from the Indian Institute of Astrophysics and manufacturing expertise from Optica, a Bengaluru-based company, further aided the project's execution.
Dr. Pradeep Chauhan, scientist at Central Building Research Institute, Roorkee, said with confidence that the 'Surya Tilak' would anoint the statue of Ram Lalla flawlessly. Considering the fixed date of Ram Navami, based on the lunar calendar, complicated 19-gear arrangements were implemented to ensure that this auspicious ritual would take place in a timely manner, all without relying on electricity, batteries or iron-based components.
India's premier astronomy institution, the Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA) in Bengaluru, has come up with a solution to reconcile the apparent disparity between the lunar and solar (Gregorian) calendars. “We have the requisite expertise in positional astronomy,” explained Dr. Annapurni Subramaniam, Director, IIA, adding, “This expertise was applied to ensure that the sun's rays, symbolized by a 'Surya Tilak ', could solemnly anoint the idol of Ram Lala on every Ram Navmi.”
The CSIR-CBRI team consists of Dr. SK Panigrahi, Dr. RS Bisht, Mr. Kanti Solanki, Mr. V. Chakradhar, Mr. Dinesh and Mr. Sameer. Prof. R. Pradeep Kumar, Director of CSIR-CBRI, supervised the project. From IIA Bangalore are Dr. Annapurni S., Director of IIA, Er S Sriram, and Professor Tushar Prabhu the advisors. Mr. Rajinder Kotaria, Managing Director of Optica, and his team, Mr. Nagraj, Mr. Vivek and Mr. Thava Kumar, are actively involved in the execution and installation process.
A similar 'Surya Tilak' mechanism already exists in some Jain temples and at the Sun Temple in Konark, but they are designed differently.