NEW DELHI, Mar 27: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday offered prayers to Lord Ram and virtually witnessed the ‘Surya Tilak’ ceremony at the Ram Janmabhoomi Temple on the occasion of Ram Navami.
The ceremony saw a beam of sunlight precisely illuminating the forehead of Ram Lalla’s idol at noon, forming a celestial ‘tilak’, as priests performed rituals at the temple.
The nine-day festival, also known as Ram Navratri, concludes on Ram Navami, marking the birth of Lord Ram. Devotees observe the period with fasting, prayers and spiritual practices, honouring different forms of goddess Shakti.
Celebrations were held across the country, with Ayodhya witnessing large gatherings of devotees visiting the temple to offer prayers.
Security was heightened in the temple town amid the surge in pilgrims. ADG Lucknow Zone Praveen Kumar said elaborate arrangements were put in place, including drone surveillance and CCTV monitoring, to ensure smooth management of crowds.
“Devotees have been arriving in large numbers to offer prayers at the temple. Proper security arrangements have been made. The security is being monitored with the help of drones and CCTV cameras,” he said. (Agencies)
