Sun’s rays will once again illuminate and anoint Ram Lalla at the Ram Temple in Ayodhya on the occasion of Ram Navami this year, continuing the now-established tradition of the Surya Tilak.
An advanced opto-mechanical system developed by the Central Building Research Institute (CBRI), Roorkee, will channel sunlight directly onto the forehead of Ram Lalla. The system uses four lenses and four mirrors to precisely guide the Sun’s rays from the temple’s upper level into the sanctum sanctorum.
A team of scientists is scheduled to reach Ayodhya by March 10 to conduct a trial run of the Surya Tilak arrangement. The illumination is expected to last approximately three to four minutes around noon. Authorities are also planning a live broadcast of the event. The Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust has signed a 10-year agreement with CBRI, Roorkee for the project.
Preparations are underway for Ram Navami celebrations, with the main festival — Ram Janmotsav — to be observed on March 26. At exactly 12 noon, marking the symbolic birth time of Lord Ram, the Sun’s rays will fall on Ram Lalla’s forehead in a divine Surya Tilak.
The Surya Tilak tradition began after the Pran Pratishtha ceremony of Ram Lalla on January 22, 2024. The first such celestial alignment took place during Ram Janmotsav in 2024 and was repeated in 2025. This year, efforts are being made to make the event even more historic.
A nine-day ritual will also be conducted at the temple during Ram Janmotsav. Meanwhile, Ayodhya will host the annual Ram Navami fair from March 19 to March 26, with an estimated 2.5 million devotees expected to participate.
In addition, the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) has begun preparations for Ramotsav celebrations nationwide. The 15-day programme will commence on Chaitra Shukla Pratipada (March 19) and aims to reach nearly six lakh villages across the country. Devotees who contributed to the Ram Mandir movement and the temple’s construction will be honoured during the events.
Shri Ram Mahotsav programmes will continue throughout Navratri. On each day dedicated to a specific goddess, the Ramotsav gatherings will highlight her divine attributes and explain their relevance in contemporary society, encouraging devotees to imbibe those values in daily life.
