Jobaaj Stories
In a momentous occasion steeped in religious fervor and cultural significance, the city of Ayodhya witnessed grand celebrations today as devotees thronged the Ram Temple to mark the auspicious occasion of Ram Navami. The highlight of the festivities was the much-awaited 'Surya Abhishek' of Ram Lalla, which occurred around 12:15 pm, accompanied by a celestial phenomenon lasting for four minutes.
The atmosphere in Ayodhya was charged with excitement and devotion as thousands of devotees from across the country gathered at the Ram Temple to participate in the festivities. Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) spokesperson Sharad Sharma expressed the sentiments of devotees, stating that the celebrations of Ram Navami at the Ram Temple have been eagerly awaited for 500 years, and the entire nation rejoices in this historic moment.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, extending his greetings to the nation on the occasion of Ram Navami, remarked on the unparalleled joy resonating in Ayodhya as the festival is celebrated at the Ram Temple for the first time after its consecration.
The 'Surya Abhishek' ceremony held special significance, with the Sun's rays forming a 75 mm 'tilak' on the forehead of Ram Lalla during the celestial event. Prior to visiting the Ram Temple, devotees took holy dips in the Saryu River, with 'darshan' commencing at the temple as early as 3:30 am.
This year's Ram Navami holds particular significance as it marks the first celebration since the consecration of the Ram idol at the new temple, a momentous occasion inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on January 22.
Security arrangements were meticulously planned to ensure the safety of devotees, with IG (Ayodhya Range) Praveen Kumar confirming the deployment of volunteers and force multipliers across designated zones and sectors. Additionally, arrangements were made for the movement of heavy vehicles to facilitate the smooth flow of devotees.
The Sri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, responsible for overseeing the festivities, collaborated with scientists from the Central Building Research Institute (CBRI), Roorkee, to calculate the timings of the 'Surya Abhishek' based on the movement of the Sun. The ceremony was conducted using an advanced optomechanical system, with experts from CBRI ensuring its success.
Prime Minister Modi's vision for the sanctum-sanctorum of the Ram Mandir, articulated during his visit to Ayodhya for the Deepotsav celebration in 2022, emphasized the direct alignment of sun rays on the idol of Ram Lalla on Ram Navami, akin to the phenomenon at the Konark Sun Temple in Odisha.
To accommodate the influx of devotees, the duration of darshan was extended to 19 hours, allowing devotees to witness the festivities from early morning until late at night. The trust also erected canopies along the Janmabhoomi Path and Bhakti Path to provide shelter to devotees.
The celebrations of Ram Navami at the Ayodhya Temple symbolize not only a religious event but also a cultural milestone, resonating with the spirit of devotion and unity that defines the essence of India's rich heritage.
