Construction Panel Head: PM Modi Invented the "Surya Tilak" Ceremony at the Ram Temple

Construction Panel Head: PM Modi Invented the "Surya Tilak" Ceremony at the Ram Temple

The PM, according to Nripendra Mishra, the head of the Ayodhya Ram Temple Construction Committee, desired a fusion of traditional and contemporary technology.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi wanted the Ayodhya temple to combine traditional and contemporary architecture, according to the head of the temple's construction committee. This is why he conceptualized the 'Surya Tilak' ceremony on Ram Navami today, which involved anointing the idol of Ram Lalla with a ray of sunlight. 

The head of the Ayodhya Ram Temple Construction Committee, Nripendra Misra, said exclusively to NDTV today that the 'Surya Tilak' ritual would happen annually. 

A 5.8 cm-diameter beam of sunshine was placed on the forehead of the Ram Lalla statue as part of the event. It lasted for three to three and a half minutes, beginning at noon on this day. Ten distinguished scientists were instrumental in achieving the accomplishment; they perfectly directed the light beam using a combination of mirrors and lenses.

Regarding the idea's inception, Mr. Misra said, "Prime Minister Narendra Modi came up with the concept altogether. During a chat, the PM said that while a lot of focus is on using old technology to ensure the temple's durability for a millennium, it's equally important to use contemporary technologies. This was among the concepts. He is at ease with and open to new technologies, yet he has a certain viewpoint on technology. 

"He said, 'Why don't you speak with the Council of Scientific & Industrial Research (CSIR) and the Central Building Research Institute?' Within an hour after returning to my office, I received a call from the CSIR director-general, who stated he had received a call from the prime minister. As a result, you can see the kind of follow-up the PM does, although remotely. He impacts you such that you develop a sense of conviction about what is and isn't feasible without interfering or dictating," he said. 

As to Mr. Misra, the Ram Janmbhoomi Teerth Kshetra trust aims to make sure that the 'Surya Tilak' event happens on every Ram Navami.

"Many people are talking about the 'Surya Tilak' ritual, and they are satisfied. We must make sure that this occurs annually. As the'shikhar' (spire above the sanctum sanctorum) is still under construction, we had to make some changes this time. Following that, a permanent aperture measuring the sun's rays' angle and direction will be created. It will be 100% foolproof by next year, the head of the building committee said. 

The former official said that since schools are open and harvest season has begun, he was probably anticipating a significantly larger audience on Ram Navami but that did not materialize. Regarding the building progress, he said that the large number of daily visitors to the temple makes the task difficult. 

"We must make sure that devotees are secure. Right now, the first and second floors are all that remain, and we have everyone's backing. We will finish the construction by the end of 2024 if we go on like we did in 2023," he said.