On the day of Ram Navami in Ayodhya, Lord Ram’s forehead was anointed with sun rays. The team of scientists from the Central Building Research Institute (CBRI) in Roorkee has made an invaluable contribution to the preparation of the Surya Tilak Project.
The consecration ceremony of Ram Lalla took place on January 22, 2024, in Ayodhya. After that, the Ram Temple was opened for devotees. Thousands of devotees visit Ram Lalla daily. April 17 is special because on this day, Lord Surya bestowed the tilak upon Lord Shri Ram. During the construction of the temple, it was named the Surya Tilak Project.
Scientists from Roorkee have completed this project. Not only that, the team of the Central Building Research Institute (CBRI) in Roorkee has played a significant role in the construction of the divine Ram temple. The CBRI team has also worked on structural design, Surya Tilak, and structural health monitoring besides the foundation of the Ram temple. The scientists have built the temple according to zone-IV due to earthquakes. The estimated lifespan of this building is 1000 years.
Scientist Dr. SK Panigrahi explained that glass has been installed above and below the foundation of the temple. The Sun rays will reflect on the glass above the foundation. Then, these rays will reach directly to Ram Lalla’s forehead. Gears and mechanisms have been used in this entire process. Scientist Dr. Debdatta Ghosh explained that the height of the Ram temple from the ground to the pinnacle is 161 feet. Steel has not been used in the construction of the Ram temple. Interlocking of stones has been done stone by stone. Sandstone from Banshi Paharpur has been used. Scientist Hina Gupta explained that there are 5 mandaps in the Ram temple.
1. Garbhagriha, where Lord Shri Ram’s idol is installed
2. Good Mandap
3. Third Color Mandap
4. Dance Mandap
5. Prayer Mandap. Its architectural style is Nagar style.
Scientists’ team has completed their work – Secretary General Champat Rai
According to Secretary General Champat Rai of Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, the tilak of Sun rays on the forehead of Lord Shri Ram’s idol is done every year on Ram Navami. It was a challenge for him. First, the date of Ram Navami changes every year, and second, there is no architectural design in the Garbhagriha that the Sun’s rays can reach there. Overcoming these two challenges, the Sun’s rays have been directed to the idol of Ram Lalla installed from the third floor to the Garbhagriha through piping and Opto-Mechanical System. Professor said that a team of six scientists from the institute was involved in the Surya Tilak Project. The institute’s Roorkee team worked on tilak and piping design in the project.
