Jobaaj Stories
Scientists at the Central Building Research Institute (CBRI) in Roorkee have created a one-of-a-kind mechanism for the newly constructed Ram temple in Ayodhya.
Using sunlight, mirrors, and lenses, the mechanism ensures the appearance of a 'tilak' on the idol's forehead in the sanctum sanctorum. The spectacle is scheduled for Ram Navami on March 29, the Hindu lunar calendar's celebration of Lord Ram's birth anniversary.
'Surya Rashmiyon Ka Tilak' (sun ray anointment) is a mechanical system that does not use power or batteries and is made entirely of brass rather than iron or steel. According to S K Panigrahi, the project's main scientist and primary investigator, "we used only brass in making our manually operated system." The 75-mm-diameter circular 'tilak' will be applied to Lord Ram's forehead at noon for three to four minutes on Ram Navami in the Chaitra month, using sunlight redirected by the mechanism.
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This arrangement is solely planned for the annual Ram Navami celebration. The optomechanical system, which will be erected on the third floor of the temple, will include high-quality mirrors (M1 and M2), a lens (L1), and vertical pipework with lenses (L2 and L3) fixed at appropriate angles. Mirrors (M3 & M4) and a lens (L4) are included on the ground floor.
Panigrahi described the procedure as follows: "Sunlight falls on M1, travels through L1, M2, L1, L2, M3 (installed outside the garbha-griha), and finally on M4, bringing a'tilak' on the forehead of the idol."
Optics & Allied Engineering Pvt Ltd of Bengaluru handled the manufacturing of mirrors, lenses, and the temple's tilt mechanism for free. CBRI received optical design advice from the Indian Institute of Astrophysics.
The system to adapt to the shifting position of the Sun on Ram Navami was devised by the CBRI team, which included R S Bisht, Devdutta Ghosh, V Chakradhar, Kanti Lal Solanki (scientists), Sameer, and Dinesh (technical staff). "Detailed calculations show that the English calendar date of Ram Navami repeats every 19 years," Bisht added. We have created a method that everyone can use."
