An Odia scientist, Dr. Saroj Kumar Panigrahi from Paralakhemundi, played a pivotal role in the development of the ‘Surya Tilak’ ceremony at the Ram temple in Ayodhya. Dr. Panigrahi, a senior scientist at CSIR-CBRI, was part of the expert team that scientifically orchestrated this rare religious event for Ram Navami. The team, including Dr. RS Bisht, Mr. Kanti Solanki, Mr. V. Chakradhar, Mr. Dinesh, and Mr. Sameer, under the guidance of Prof. R. Pradeep Kumar, Director of CSIR-CBRI, collaborated with the Indian Institute of Astrophysics to design the mechanism using high-quality reflective mirrors and lenses. The ‘Surya Tilak’ ritual, witnessed by lakhs of devotees, involved anointing the Ram Lala idol with sunlight, symbolizing divine blessings.
