Ayodhya, 27

March (HS): On the auspicious event of Lord Ram's baby form's birth

anniversary, precisely at 12:00 PM, rays of the Sun God conducted a 'Surya

Tilak' (solar anointing) over the forehead of the beautiful and glorious idol

of Ram Lalla, ensconced within the sanctum sanctorum of the Ram Temple. When

Lord Ram was born, the whole Ram Temple complex reverberated with sky-piercing

cries of Jai Shri Ram. The devotional song Pragat Bhaye

Kripala Deen Dayala (The Compassionate One, the Savior of the

Downtrodden, Has Manifested) brought followers of Lord Ram to exuberant

delight, accompanied by the melodic melody of bells, gongs,'mridangams',

and'manjiras'. The whole Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Temple complex was entirely

submerged in the spirit of Lord Ram.

Ram Janmotsav

(birth festival) began at 9:00 a.m. with the 'Panchamrit Mahabhishek' -

magnificent ritual anointing - of Lord Ram. The Ram Temple compound was

attractively decorated with flowers. Lord Ram was wonderfully clothed and

ornamented, with Ram Lalla wearing yellow clothes. Following the presentation

of 'Bhog Prasad' (holy food offering) to Ram Lalla, 'Aarti' (ritual worship

with lights) was held. The Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA) in Bengaluru

and the Central Building Research Institute (CBRI) in Roorkee shared

responsibilities for carrying out the 'Surya Tilak' ritual for Lord Ram. The

Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra and the Central Building Research Institute

have signed a ten-year agreement to organise the 'Surya Tilak' programme. The

sun's beams lighted Lord Ram's forehead for six minutes.

Dr. Anil

Mishra, a member of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra, remarked that on

Lord Ram's birth anniversary, the entire city of Ayodhya is engulfed in his

spirit. Ram Navami is the main event of Ayodhya. Since early morning, followers

of Lord Ram have been waiting for a 'Darshan' of Ram Lalla. Every devotee want

to see the transcendental moment of Lord Ram's birth. This event is observed

concurrently in all of Ayodhya's temples. Mahant Ramsharan Das of Rangmahal

stated that followers of Lord Ram look forward to this exact day and time

throughout the year; partaking in Lord Ram's birth ceremonies makes them feel

really blessed.

Despite

the inclement weather, more than two million devotees had taken a holy bath in

the River Saryu and made offerings by 12:00 PM. A large number of devotees have

crowded the streets of Ayodhya, particularly Ram Path. Devotees chant Jai

Shri Ram as they give prayers and adoration at the Ram Temple, Dashrath

Mahal, Kanak Bhawan, Ram Vallabha Kunj, Rang Mahal, and Hanuman Garhi. After

seeing Lord Ram, devotees exchange pleasantries on the festival of Ram

Janmotsav.

Hindusthan Samachar / Abhishek Awasthi