The world’s first Vedic clock, designed to showcase time according to the ancient Indian traditional panchang, has been meticulously crafted and installed in Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh. This exceptional timepiece, housed on an 85-foot high tower within the city’s Jantar Mantar, is set to be officially unveiled on March 1, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi gracing the occasion virtually.
The Vedic clock, strategically located near the Government Jiwaji Observatory in Ujjain, promises to be a marvel in timekeeping. Beyond simply indicating hours and minutes, this innovative clock will offer comprehensive information on Vedic Hindu Panchang, planetary positions, Muhurat (auspicious timings), astrological calculations, predictions, and more. Notably, it will also display both Indian Standard Time (IST) and Greenwich Mean Time (GMT).
Shishir Gupta, a member of the Vedic clock development team, shared insights into the unique features of this timekeeping marvel. “The time period between the two sunrises will be divided into 30 parts, with each hour consisting of 48 minutes according to ISD. The clock’s reading will commence from 0:00 with sunrise marking the initiation of each 30-hour cycle,” he explained.
The clock is poised to exhibit 30 Muhurats, tithi (lunar day), and various other time calculations integral to the Vedic Hindu panchang. Its installation marks a significant milestone in India’s cultural and scientific heritage, with Ujjain historically regarded as a pivotal center for time calculation. The Tropic of Cancer passes through Ujjain, emphasizing its longstanding association with timekeeping precision.
Noteworthy historical context adds to the significance of Ujjain in determining the world’s standard time 300 years ago. Ujjain continues to house a machine dedicated to time calculation, reaffirming its timeless role in this realm.
The initiative to develop the Vedic clock was set in motion on November 6, 2022, when the then Higher Education Minister, and now the Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh, Mohan Yadav, laid the foundation stone. As the clock nears its virtual inauguration on March 1, it stands as a testament to India’s rich cultural heritage and its continued contribution to the world of scientific innovation.
