Innovative Engineering Techniques Illuminate Deities with Sunlight at Indian Temples

Various temples in India, including the Ram Temple in Ayodhya, have been showcasing a unique engineering marvel during religious ceremonies, using advanced techniques to illuminate deities with sunlight. Recently, during the celebration of Ram Navami at Ayodhya’s Ram Temple, a historic event unfolded as the Surya Tilak ritual was performed on the Ram Lalla idol for the first time since its installation.

The ceremony, symbolizing divine blessings from the Sun God, lasted around five minutes and involved the precise focusing of sunlight onto the idol’s forehead at noon. This remarkable feat was achieved through an optomechanical system developed by scientists from the Central Building Research Institute (CBRI) in Roorkee.

One of the oldest temples in India, Suriyanar Kovil Temple in Tamil Nadu, is known for the unique way sunlight illuminates specific areas, including the deity Suriyanar and his consorts throughout the year. Similarly, the Nanarayanaswamy Temple in Andhra Pradesh stages the Surya Puja Mahotsavam festival, where sunlight gradually brightens the main deity from the feet to the navel.

In Maharashtra, the Mahalakshmi Temple celebrates the Kiranotsav festival twice a year, where sunlight shines specifically on the feet of the Goddess Mahalaxmi’s idol. The Koba Jain Temple in Gujarat conducts an annual Surya Abhishek ritual, illuminating the forehead of Mahaveerswami’s statue precisely at 2:07 pm for three minutes.

Furthermore, the Unav Balaji Surya Temple in Madhya Pradesh aligns perfectly with the sun’s path to allow the first rays to illuminate the idol in the innermost sanctum during the annual festival. The Konark Sun Temple in Odisha, renowned for its architectural brilliance, ensures the first rays of the sun reach the main entrance and progress to the innermost sanctum, creating a stunning visual effect.

Lastly, the Gavi Gangadhareshwara Temple in Karnataka becomes a spectacle on Makar Sankranti when sunlight enters the cave temple, illuminating Nandi, the bull statue representing Lord Shiva, followed by the Shivlingam, captivating devotees with its unique play of light.