On the occasion of Ram Navami, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday, March 27, offered prayers to Lord Ram and virtually observed the Surya Tilak ceremony
being performed at the Ram Janmabhoomi Temple in Ayodhya. The Ram Janmabhoomi Temple in Ayodhya witnessed the 'Surya Tilak' illuminating the forehead of Ram Lalla at 12 noon. The Surya Tilak is observed as a beam of sunlight falls on the forehead of Ram Lalla's idol, forming a celestial tilak. The priests offered prayers during the Surya Tilak. Ram Navami is celebrated as the birth anniversary of Lord Ram. It is celebrated on the ninth day of Navratri. Throughout the festival, all nine days are devoted to honouring the nine incarnations of the goddess Shakti. The festival is celebrated with great devotion across India, with rituals and prayers honouring the goddess in her various forms. In Uttar Pradesh's Ayodhya, the birthplace of Lord Ram, the main celebration is being held on Friday, with over a lakh devotees expected at the Ram Janmabhoomi temple. Temple trust member Anil Mishra had earlier told PTI that the main attraction will be the Surya Tilak ceremony, during which sunrays will illuminate the forehead of Lord Ram's idol at noon. He said big screens have been installed across the city to broadcast the rituals and ceremonies associated with Ram Navami. Security and surveillance have been beefed up ahead of the Friday festivities, while the state government has announced a two-day holiday (Thursday and Friday) for the festival Security has been beefed up in Ayodhya as a large number of devotees arrived to offer prayers on the occasion of Navami. ADG Lucknow Zone, Praveen Kumar, said that comprehensive safety measures are in place to manage the surge in pilgrims, with authorities utilising drones and a vast network of CCTV cameras. Speaking to ANI, Kumar said, "Devotees have been arriving in large numbers to offer prayers at the temple. Proper security arrangements have been made. The security is being monitored with the help of drones and CCTV cameras."
