Bhubaneswar: An Odia scientist among others played a significant role in shaping the idea of ‘Surya Tilak’ ceremony of Ram Lala in Ayodhya Ram temple.
Dr Saroj Kumar Panigrahi of Paralakhemundi was in the team of experts from CSIR-CBRI, which ensured the rare religious event developed scientifically.
Dr Panighrahi, a senior scientist at CBRI, was given the task of Surya Tilak ceremony in the Ram temple on the occasion of Ram Navami on Wednesday.
Other team members include Dr RS Bisht, Mr Kanti Solanki, Mr V. Chakradhar, Mr Dinesh, and Mr Sameer. Prof. R. Pradeep Kumar, Director of CSIR-CBRI, mentored the project.
Dr Panigrahi, a resident of Buxi Sahi in Paralakhemundi, is the younger son of teacher Gorang Panigrahi and mother Hemalata.
The CBRI team with the technical support of Indian Institute of Astrophysics created a model using high quality reflective mirrors and lenses.
The mechanism was named ‘Surya Tilak’, which was finally took the final shape on the auspicious occasion of Ram Navami. The rare ritual which lasted 2.5 minutes was witnessed by lakhs devotees across the country.
The forehead of Ram Lala idol was anointed with a ray of sunlight known as Surya Tilak.
