Tilak Dwar
Built on Hanuman Gufa Marg, on the 14 Kosi Parikrama route, Ayodhya, for Deepotsav 2025.
Prof. Manish Arora (Head, Dept. of Applied Arts) and Rahul Kumar Shaw (Senior Research Scholar, FoVA, BHU)
From Deep Dwara to Tilak Dwar
In 2024, during the Global Design Competition where his abstract art won first place, the Ayodhya Development Authority invited designs for gateways. He proposed 'Deep Dwara' (Gate of Light) as Gate 2 for the 14 Kosi and 5 Kosi Parikrama Margs. The Selection Committee renamed it 'Tilak Dwar' after its central motif, the tilak on Lord Ram’s forehead.
Lit for Deepotsav 2025
Proposal, 3D view
Read the gateway
- 1Rising sun
The rise of truth over falsehood; the eternal light of the Raghu (Surya) dynasty. - 2Three tiers of lamps
Past, present and future: learn from the past, act in the present, inspire the future. The lamps stand for enlightenment and Deepavali, Lord Rama’s return after 14 years of exile. - 3Ram Tilak
Dharma (righteousness), victory and dignity; divine blessings upon all humanity. - 4'Ram Naam' inscription
Ram belongs to all, and all belong to Ram. Only 'Rama' is used in the typography. - 5Central floral designs
The softness and gentleness of Lord Rama’s personality. - 6Pillars with Shankha, Chakra, Gada, Padma
Symbols of Lord Vishnu and the Vaishnav tradition; Shri Ram as the seventh incarnation of Vishnu.
Day and night
Mockups from the proposal; backgrounds are representative photographs. Proposal: about 55 ft high over a 60 ft road with 15 ft footpaths each side; 'size may change according to space and location'.
Why this design
- Symbolises the great victory over evil.
- Symbolises Vaishnavism, Lord Vishnu and his seventh incarnation as Lord Rama.
- Blends tradition and modern design.
- Can be executed with traditional concrete-and-cement methods that are easy to maintain and long-lasting.
- Guides pilgrims on the 14 Kosi Yatra with light and righteousness.