'Mahamastakabhishek' of Lord Ram takes place at Ayodhya temple

Ayodhya: 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, jeweled 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.

Extending his wishes to the people of Uttar Pradesh on the occasion of Ram Navami, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath in a post on X in Hindi said, "Happy Shri Ram Navami to all Rama devotees and residents of the state on the holy birthday of the lifeblood of India, the ideal of humanity, the best form of religion, our adorable dignity Purushottam Lord Shri Ram!"

"Ram is in the faith, dignity and philosophy of India. Ram is the formula of India's 'Unity in Diversity'. May the grace of Lord Rama, the centre of faith of people, rest upon the universe. I pray that everyone will be well. This holy festival of Shri Ram Navami is an opportunity to make a resolution to imbibe the teachings and ideals of the dignified Purushottam Lord Shri Ram into our personality. Hail to the merciful Lord Sri Rama!," he said on X.

Meanwhile, tight security arrangements have been made in Ayodhya for Ram Navami.

According to administrative sources, over 10 lakh devotees congregated to welcome the birth of Lord Rama and seek his divine blessings for prosperity.

The celebrations of Ram Navami festival commenced with prayers to the Sun at dawn. At noon, when Lord Ram is believed to have been born, sacred rituals were conducted in all the temples of Ayodhya.

People rendered devotional songs in praise of Lord Ram and gently swayed the images of Ram Lalla in a cradle to commemorate his birth, said Anurag Shukla, a priest in Ayodhya.

Rath Yatras of Lord Ram, his wife Sita, brother Lakshman and devotee Hanuman were taken out from numerous temples.

Inspector General of Police, Ayodhya Range, Praveen Kumar, said that the holy city was sectioned into various security zones and sector for Ram Navami.

Heavy vehicles were redirected via the Purvanchal Expressway to ensure seamless movement for pilgrims. Alternative arrangements akin to the Mahakumbh were implemented for diversions, Kumar said.

The paramilitary forces, alongside PAC and civil police, were positioned for security. The NDRF, SDRF and Water Police maintained vigilance around the Saryu River, he added.

Ayodhya Divisional Commissioner Gaurav Dayal said the provisions for shade and mats were arranged at prominent locations, including the Ram Temple and Hanuman Garhi, to safeguard pilgrims from intense heat.

Drinking water remained accessible at all major sites, the officials said.

Drones also sprinkled water of the Saryu River on the devotees on Rampath and around temple premises, they said.

Samajwadi Party (SP) MP from Faizabad, Awadhesh Prasad, visited the Ram temple on the occasion of Ram Navami and offered special prayers for communal harmony and national prosperity.

Prasad visited the temple along with his family members, including his son, daughter and grandchildren.

Clad in the symbolic red socialist cap, the Samajwadi Party leader ascended the temple steps from the western side.

"I prayed for the strengthening of the 'Ganga-Jamuni' culture in our society, the establishment of Ram Rajya, and the prosperity of the nation. I wished for communal harmony and unity in diversity," he told reporters after offering prayers.