Prime Minister Narendra Modi today put out a post on X to congratulate the people ahead of the much-awaited 'Surya Abhishek' or 'Surya Tilak' of Ram Lalla in Ayodhya on the occasion of Ram Navami.

The privilege of celebrating this Ram Navami in Ayodhya was possible after hard penance and sacrifice of the countrymen for five centuries, he said.

The 'Surya Abhishek' or 'Surya Tilak' of Ram Lalla is set to take place around 12:15 pm today. This celestial event, expected to last four minutes, will see the sun's rays forming a 75 mm tilak on Ram Lalla's forehead.

The Sri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust has collaborated with scientists from the Central Building Research Institute (CBRI), Roorkee, to calculate the timings based on the Sun's movement. "The 'Surya Abhishek' of Ram Lalla will be performed using an optomechanical system with high-quality mirrors and lenses," the Trust stated.

Elaborating on the process, the Trust explained, "Sun rays will initially fall on a mirror installed on the temple's top floor, then with the help of three lenses, they will be directed to another mirror on the temple's second floor before reaching the sanctum-sanctorum of the temple and fall on Ram Lalla's forehead."

Leading the project are experts from CBRI, Roorkee, including Prof Pradeep Kumar Ramancharla and Prof Devdutt Ghosh, who are currently stationed in Ayodhya to ensure the success of the 'Surya Abhishek'.

The inspiration for this unique ritual came during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Ayodhya for the Deepotsav celebration on October 23, 2022. PM Modi suggested that the sanctum-sanctorum of the Ram Mandir should be constructed to allow direct sunlight to fall on the Ram Lalla idol on Ram Navami, akin to the phenomenon observed at the Konark Sun Temple in Odisha.

As Ramnagri prepares to welcome devotees for the first Ram Navami after the grand opening of the Ram Mandir, the entire temple complex is illuminated with colourful lights. A red carpet has been laid on the Janmabhoomi Path for the convenience of devotees, with additional carpets placed inside the temple premises for their comfort.