Creative Brilliance of Banaras Hindu University Shines in Ayodhya this Deepotsav —

‘Tilak Dwar’, designed by Prof. Manish Arora and Senior Research Scholar Rahul Kumar Shaw, stands as a symbol of Lord Ram’s divine homecoming.

Today is not merely the Festival of Lights, but a sacred moment marking the victory of truth over falsehood, and light over darkness — when the entire land of India glows in divine remembrance of Lord Rama’s return to Ayodhya.

In this very spirit, Banaras Hindu University stands today as a witness to this historic and spiritual celebration.

The magnificent ‘Tilak Dwar’, jointly designed by Professor Manish Arora, Head, Department of Applied Arts, and Rahul Kumar Shaw, Senior Research Scholar, Faculty of Visual Arts, has been erected in the sacred city of Ayodhya, awaiting the divine arrival of Lord Shri Ram in all grandeur.

This Tilak Dwar, located on Hanuman Gufa Marg, along the 14 Kosi Parikrama route, marks the place from where the light of Ram Rajya shall spread across all directions.

The story goes back to 2024, when our Abstract Art secured First Place in the Global Design Competition. During the same event, the Ayodhya Development Authority invited designs for the main gateway of the Ram Temple.

It was at that very moment that we envisioned the divine concept of Deepotsav — imagining how Lord Ram’s return from exile could be celebrated through a grand and symbolic architectural form.

That vision today stands before you in its manifest form — initially proposed as the ‘Deep Dwar’, later renamed ‘Tilak Dwar’ by the Selection Committee.

The name reflects its central motif — inspired by the sacred Tilak on Lord Ram’s forehead, symbolizing Dharma (righteousness), Victory, and Dignity.

At the top of the gateway, three tiers of illuminated lamps represent our Past, Present, and Future — a reminder that we learn from the past, act in the present, and inspire the generations of the future — the eternal path shown by Lord Ram.

Above all shines the rising Sun, symbolizing the rise of truth over falsehood — a Sun that never sets, representing the eternal light of the Raghu dynasty, from which emanates the divine radiance of Shri Ram.

At the heart of the gateway glows the sacred inscription — “Ram Naam”, proclaiming that Ram belongs to all, and all belong to Ram.

The pillars of the gateway are adorned with Shankha (conch), Chakra (disc), Gada (mace), and Padma (lotus) — symbols of Lord Vishnu and the Vaishnav tradition, reminding us that Shri Ram is the seventh incarnation of Lord Vishnu, the living embodiment of Dharma, Compassion, and Grace.

On this auspicious occasion of Deepotsav, we extend our heartfelt greetings to everyone.

May your life too be illuminated by the eternal flame of Ram Jyoti.