Ram Navami 2026: Ram Navami, the sacred festival, was observed across the nation and in UP’s Ayodhya with immense fervour and devotion on Friday. At the Shri Ram temple in Ayodhya, the festivities saw a footfall of lakhs of devotees from across the country. The highlight of this year’s Ram Navami celebrations was the much-anticipated Surya Tilak ceremony at the grand Ram temple.
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Devotees flock Lord Ram temple in Ayodhya[/caption]
5 lakh devotees throng temple since morning: Official estimates
According to official estimates, close to five lakh devotees thronged the holy city since early morning, driving a sea of faith and spirituality. Pilgrims marked the occasion with a ritual dip in the sacred Sarayu River before paying obeisance to the temples across the city, especially the Ram temple, to offer prayers on the birth anniversary of Lord Ram.
At precisely noon, believed to be the exact birth time of Lord Ram, the Surya Tilak ritual was performed, captivating the devotees and onlookers alike. The temple’s priests used an advanced system of mirrors and lenses to direct a beam of sunlight into the sanctum sanctorum, illuminating the forehead of the Ram Lalla idol for a brief yet mesmerising moment.
The ceremony symbolises divine blessings while showcasing a remarkable fusion of ancient tradition and modern scientific ingenuity. To ensure widespread participation, the temple authorities arranged live screenings across Ayodhya, enabling lakhs more to witness the sacred event.
Ram Navami 2026: PM Modi prays to Lord Ram virtually
Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi also offered prayers to Lord Ram and observed the Surya Tilak ceremony virtually, marking the occasion with reverence.
Take a look at PM Modi's tweet below:
https://twitter.com/ANI/status/2037421143477674179
Security heightened amid devotional surge
Ayodhya remained immersed in devotion, reverberating with chants of ‘Jai Shri Ram’ as an overwhelming influx of pilgrims filled the streets. A palpable sense of excitement and spiritual energy defined the celebrations throughout the day. The district administration authorities, in order to manage the massive gathering, implemented elaborate security arrangements. Police personnel were deployed at key locations, while senior officials maintained constant vigilance to ensure smooth conduct of rituals and crowd management.
Ayodhya Division Commissioner Rajesh Kumar said that a ‘tidal wave of faith’ had swept through the city, with authorities keeping a close tab on arrangements to maintain order during the grand festivities.
Also read: Ram Navami 2026 on March 26 or March 27? Read on to know exact date, timings, significance and rituals