Madhya Pradesh's Vision: Ujjain as the Global Time Capital and Science Hub

Ujjain's Transformation into a Global Time Capital

Ujjain, April 3: On Friday, Chief Minister Mohan Yadav of Madhya Pradesh unveiled ambitious plans to establish Ujjain as the world's "Time Capital" and a modern Science City, while promoting the nearby Dongla village as a pivotal location for astronomical time calculations.

During the International Conference titled "Mahakal: The Master of Time," Yadav emphasized that Ujjain is not only a spiritual hub but also a historic center for scientific advancements.

He inaugurated a new science facility in Ujjain, developed with an investment of Rs 15.5 crore, supported by the Union government.

"We are committed to developing Ujjain as the global 'Time Capital.' Additionally, a Science City is being established here with an investment of Rs 15 crore," stated Chief Minister Yadav.

He underscored the region's unique astronomical importance.

"Historically, the point where the sun's shadow was distinctly observed was in Ujjain. Currently, this alignment has shifted approximately 32 km to Dongla village, a cycle that spans nearly 27,500 years. The dynamics of this movement are remarkable," he noted.

Yadav mentioned that he had previously upgraded the planetarium in Dongla during his tenure as Chairman of the Madhya Pradesh Tourism Corporation and is now focused on transforming the area into a modern scientific inquiry hub.

He has consistently advocated for the revival of Ujjain's ancient astronomical significance, aiming to position it as the world's prime meridian—the zero-degree longitude line used for global time calculation.

In ancient Indian astronomy, as referenced in texts like the 'Surya Siddhanta', Ujjain (historically known as Avanti or Ujjayini) was regarded as the Prime Meridian (Madhya Rekha) and served as the reference point for calculating planetary positions and time.

For centuries, Indian astronomers utilized Ujjain as the central meridian before the modern Prime Meridian was established at Greenwich in 1884.

Chief Minister Yadav has reiterated that India once set the global standard for time and that Ujjain should reclaim that status.

He has advocated for scientific studies at Ujjain's historic observatory to substantiate this claim and "correct the time of the world."

A significant step in this direction was the installation of the "Vikramaditya Vedic Clock"—the world's first Vedic clock—in Ujjain.

Inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in February 2024, this clock displays time using traditional Indian units (muhurtas, kaalas, etc.) rather than conventional hours and minutes, merging ancient wisdom with modern technology.

The clock's calculations are based on astronomical formulas associated with the Dongla observatory.

Additionally, Chief Minister Yadav has installed a similar Vedic clock at the entrance of his residence in Bhopal and launched a mobile app that provides Panchang information in nearly 200 languages.

Due to the gradual shift in the Earth's axial tilt (obliquity), the Tropic of Cancer no longer passes directly through Ujjain but through Dongla village, located about 32 km away.

This makes Dongla an ideal location for observing phenomena such as "Zero Shadow Day" on June 21, when the sun is directly overhead and objects cast no shadow at noon.

By developing Dongla as a center for time calculation and Ujjain as a Science City, the Madhya Pradesh government aims to integrate India's rich astronomical heritage with modern scientific infrastructure.

These initiatives are also part of extensive preparations for the grand "Simhastha Mahakumbh 2028" in Ujjain, which is expected to draw 35–40 crore devotees.