Sunlight was recently directed onto the forehead of Sri Ram Lalla on April 17, 2024, during Ram Navami, marking the initiation of the annual ritual
Indian Institute of Astrophysics, Bengaluru, spearheaded the Surya Tilak project in Ayodhya, supported by the Department of Science and Technology
The project involved a collaboration between IIA Bengaluru and experts from the Central Building Research Institute, Roorkee
Detailed calculations and adjustments were made by IIA experts to ensure optimal alignment and image optimization for the current temple structure
A temporary design with four mirrors and two lenses was implemented, to be replaced with a final design featuring four mirrors and four lenses upon completion of the temple
The date of Sri Ram Navami varies each year due to its alignment with the Lunar Calendar, necessitating precise astronomical calculations
Expertise in astronomy was crucial for determining the position of the sun in the sky, which repeats every 19 years according to the English calendar
Estimations were made to ensure sufficient sunlight falls on the idol for approximately six minutes, requiring precise sizing and placement of mirrors and lenses
Opto-mechanical design and manual mechanisms were employed to adjust the system's alignment with the sun, ensuring flawless execution of the Surya Tilak ritual