‘Mahamastakabhishek’ of Lord Ram at Ayodhya temple on Ram Navami

Ayodhya (UP): The ‘Surya Tilak’ ceremony of Lord Ram took place at the Ram Mandir here on Sunday on the occasion of Ram Navami.
Sharing a video of the ‘Surya Tilak’, Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust in a post on X said, “Surya Tilak of Prabhu on the pious occasion of Shri Ram Navami.”
The Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust also shared photographs of ‘abhishek’ of Prabhu Shri Ramlalla Sarkar on Ram Navami.
A large number of devotees have been visiting the temple since morning to offer prayers to Lord Ram on this occasion and have his glimpse.
“The Surya Tilak on the forehead of Lord Ram lasted for almost 4 minutes and it began at 12 noon,” Anil Mishra, a member of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, told PTI.
The media centre of Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust also shared the video of the ‘Surya Tilak’ on X.
“As soon as the radiant rays of Lord Bhaskar (Sun), travelling through the old familiar path converged on the forehead of Balak Shri Ram Lalla, the devotees present in front of the Lord danced with joy,” Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust said in a statement.
“Devotees hailed this moment. Those who could not reach Ayodhya, watched the live telecast of the Mahamastakabhishek of Shri Ram Lalla from their places,” the statement added.
The final trial was done on Saturday to arrange for the blessings of the Sun God to reach Shri Ram Lalla’s forehead.
“This work had been done once earlier, so there were no complications this time. There were some problems due to the continuous construction work on the upper floors,” the statement said.
“This time, along with the prasad made of coriander, there was also a prasad of fruit laddus,” it added.
With folded hands and eyes filled with devotion, crores of devotees across India and the world witnessed this miraculous scene on their screens.
It was like a glimpse of Treta Yuga, which had come alive once again, the Uttar Pradesh government said in a statement.
This divine ‘Surya Tilak’ was not just a symbolic ritual. It became a radiant blessing, a message of unwavering devotion to be passed down to future generations, the statement added.
For the past eight days, Ramnagari celebrated Ram Janmotsav with an unmatched fervour, reaching its peak on Ram Navami.
The grand temple opened its doors to devotees at 6 am. The sacred ‘abhishek’ of Lord Ram was performed with milk, curd and ghee, and the holy waters of the Saryu from 9.30 am to 10.30 am.
Following the ritual bath, Lord Ram was adorned in new garments, ornaments and a resplendent golden crown.
A ‘bhog’ of 56 delicacies was offered and an ‘aarti’ was performed precisely at noon amid the resonance of temple bells, the statement added.
Temples were swarmed with people across Uttar Pradesh Ram Navami amid tight security, with Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath leading prayers at the Gorakhnath Temple.
In Lucknow, a heavy rush was witnessed at the famous Chandrika Devi, Mankameshwar, Kali Bari, and Sailani Mata temples.
In Gorakhpur, Adityanath, who is also the Gorakshpeethadhishwar, performed the traditional kanya pujan ritual at the Gorakhnath Temple, revering nine young girls as manifestations of Goddess Durga.
The priest-politician washed the feet of the girls and worshipped them.
He also conducted Batuk Pujan (worship of young boys).
The kanya pujan was held in the ‘anna kshetras’ (community kitchen hall) of the Gorakhnath Temple, where Adityanath personally served freshly prepared food to the girls.
Temples in Varanasi witnessed heavy footfall, with devotees queueing up at the gates from the crack of dawn to offer prayers on Ram Navami.
At all major temples in Varanasi, recitations of the Akhand Ramayan and devotional kirtans were carried out.
Security was beefed up in the city ahead of the festival, with checkpoints set up at all major temples.
Besides local police, personnel from the Provincial Armed Constabulary (PAC) and other forces, some in plainclothes, have been deployed.
An aerial surveillance was mounted with drones.
Meanwhile, in Sambhal, a 51-foot statue of Lord Ram erected at Rambagh Dham in Chandausi has become the centre of attraction.
People also made a beeline to visit Nav Durga Temple, Bagiya Wali Mata Temple, and Raisatti Mata Temple.
A rush was witnessed at Chamunda Temple and Kartikeya Mahadev Temple, where a recital of Ramcharit Manas was held.