Ayodhya, 17 April: Ram Lalla’s birth anniversary was celebrated at his birthplace here on Ram Navami with the Surya Abhishek (purification by sun rays) of his idol at precisely noon on Wednesday.
Over 5 lakh devotees from throughout the country and even from outside came to the Ram Janmabhoomi to celebrate the Ram Janmotsav at the Ram Temple. The entire Ayodhya was filled with the chant “Jai Shree Ram” on that day, especially as devotees arrived at Ram Lalla for his darshan. There was a lot of passion and excitement around the celebration of the deity’s first birth anniversary at the huge temple built after 500 years. Since 3:30 a.m., there has been a serpentine queue of devotees in Ram Lalla’s courtyard.
The temple trust and management had made arrangements to allow devotee participation in ceremonies. The ceremonies began around midday, with rituals and mantra chanting. Before this, Ram Lalla was dressed for the event and adorned with jewels. Surya Abhishek began at 12.01 p.m., when the sun’s rays dropped squarely on Ram Lalla’s face, making a 75-mm tilak in the center of his forehead that lasted until 12.06 p.m., a complete 5 minutes. This was the outcome of a blend of religion and science, on which scientists laboured for months and conducted several trials. Champat Rai, General Secretary of the Ram Temple Trust, said that experts examined the Sun’s movement above Ayodhya.
After finding the correct orientation, reflectors and lenses were mounted on the temple’s top floor. The sun’s rays were spun till they reached the deity’s forehead. First, solar rays dropped on the top plane’s lens before travelling through three lenses and arriving at the second-floor mirror. Finally, the rays continued to brighten Ram Lalla’s forehead in the shape of a 75 mm bullet, lasting nearly five minutes.
Meanwhile, the majority of the devotees who arrived on Tuesday bathed in the River Saryu before daybreak before visiting the Ram Temple and Hanumangarhi. The aarti of Ram Lalla’s birth took place at midday, and God was then fed “Chhapan Bhog” (56 sorts of food, including 5 types of Panjiri).
Prior to this, the god was anointed and presented with a pitcher holding several remedies.
Trust authorities, including chairperson Mahant Nritya Gopal Das and others, were present in the temple for Ram Lalla’s aarti and Surya Abhishek.
Ram Lalla was also decked with a variety of diamond, pearl, gold, and silver jewelry. The jewelry featured a gold crown, an emerald ring, a ruby and emerald belt, a diamond bracelet, rubies and emeralds, a Panchalada, and a triumph garland weighing two kilograms.
There were comprehensive security procedures in place to handle the enormous number of pilgrims that arrived in Ayodhya. Proper provisions for drinking water, sheds, and volunteers have been made to assist individuals. There were five access points to the Ram Temple, and prasad was provided to pilgrims at the departure points.
The Ram Janmotsav at Ayodhya has being broadcast live via LEDs at over 100 locations. Doordarshan also aired the show live. Ram Navami is celebrated every year on the ninth of Chaitra Shukla. According to Hindu holy traditions, Lord Shri Ram was born on this date. This celebration is a sign of faith and devotion for Lord Rama throughout the country.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, and others greeted people on the occasion of Ram Navami and the first Ram Janmotsav celebration at his birthplace in 500 years.
