'Surya Tilak' marks birth of Lord Ram in Ayodhya; PM Modi takes off shoes as he watches the event on tablet

Ayodhya (UP): Lord Ram's birthday was celebrated in a grand manner marked with the 'Surya Tilak' on Wednesday in the grand and divine temple in Ayodhya on the occasion of the Ram Navami after a gap of 500 years.

At exactly 12 noon the 'abhishek' of the Ram Lalla was performed with the Surya Tilak (coronation on the forehead with the rays of the Sun) which was done with the help from the scientists of Space Research Institute.

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Behold the captivating Surya Tilak adorning Ram Lala.

-I wasn't there to witness the glory of Treta Yuga
-I wasn't there to witness the epic of Dvapara Yuga
-But I'm fortunate enough to witness this day.

JAI JAI SHREE RAM श्री राम pic.twitter.com/uX17DdLveB

— BALA (@erbmjha) April 17, 2024 >

Ram Lalla was dressed in new clothes and 56 types of offerings were also offered to Ram Lalla during the ceremony.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi watched the ceremony while returning from his Assam rally and termed it an emotional moment for this.

Taking to X, the PM posted, "After my Nalbari rally, I watched the Surya Tilak on Ram Lalla. Like crores of Indians, this is a very emotional moment for me. The grand Ram Navami in Ayodhya is historic. May this Surya Tilak bring energy to our lives and may it inspire our nation to scale new heights of glory."

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After my Nalbari rally, I watched the Surya Tilak on Ram Lalla. Like crores of Indians, this is a very emotional moment for me. The grand Ram Navami in Ayodhya is historic. May this Surya Tilak bring energy to our lives and may it inspire our nation to scale new heights of glory. pic.twitter.com/QqDpwOzsTP

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) April 17, 2024 >

Meanwhile, Chief priest Acharya Satyendra Das said that Panjiri, buckwheat and water chestnut flour and Ramdana were offered during the Janmotsav by Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, which was later distributed among the devotees.

He said that after the birth anniversary was celebrated, Prasad was distributed to everyone including the visitors at the birthplace. Shri Ram Lalla appeared amidst the sound of bells, gongs and conch shells with the entire atmosphere resonating with the name of Lord Shri Ram.

The entire city of Ayodhya is decorated like a bride on the occasion of Ram Navami. It may be noted that preparations for Ram Navami celebration were going on a war footing for the last one week.

According to District Magistrate Shri Nitish Kumar, about 25 five lakh devotees visited Ayodhya on the occasion of the fair organised on the Ram Navami and visited various temples. "The Ram Navami fair has been divided into 10 sectors. There are extensive security arrangements in the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi area as well," he said.

Other than the temple, about 150 LEDs have been installed by Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust Trust in about 121 small and big temples outside the perimeter of the city and municipal corporation area during which the entire event was streamed live.

Comprehensive arrangements for disaster management have been made by the Medical Department, Municipal Corporation Department, Electricity Department and other voluntary organisations and the district administration during the fair.

The officials of the Trust said that the temple will remain open for about 20 hours so that devotees can keep visiting. The LEDs would be operated for three days so that devotees can enjoy Shri Ram Janmotsava.