Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh Mohan Yadav presenting a model of the Vikramaditya Vaidik Ghadi to Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath / Courtesy photo

In a unique attempt to revive India’s ancient scientific, astronomical and cultural heritage linked to time calculation, the Madhya Pradesh Government has launched an ambitious initiative to install the “Vikramaditya Vaidic Ghadi” at all 12 Jyotirlingas across the country.

The initiative, conceptualised by Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Sri Mohan Yadav, is being seen as an effort to reconnect modern India with the ancient Indian tradition of ‘Kaal Ganana’ (time calculation), whose roots are deeply associated with Ujjain — the land of Mahakaal and the historic centre of astronomical calculations in ancient India.

The first Vikramaditya Vaidik Ghadi was installed at " Jantar Mantar Observatory", Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh, on February 29, 2026. The second Ghadi was installed at the Chief Minister’s residence in Bhopal, while the third installation took place at "Kashi Vishwanath Temple",Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India"

The project is being spearheaded by "Maharaja Vikramaditya Shodh Peeth","Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh, a research institution established in 2010 to promote studies related to the Vikram Samvat era, ancient Indian chronology, culture and astronomy.

According to Shriram Tiwari, Founder Director of Maharaja Vikramaditya Shodh Peeth and Cultural Advisor to the Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister, the Vikramaditya Vaidik Ghadi is “like a digital format of Panchang.”

“It can calculate time thousands of years back and nearly 2,000 years into the future,” Tiwari said while explaining the concept behind the Ghadi.

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Tiwari revealed that the idea originally emerged from the efforts of Aaroh Srivastava of Lucknow, who left his lucrative Merchant Navy career to work on understanding the ancient Indian system of time calculation.

“Aaroh Srivastava travelled extensively and even cycled to all 12 Jyotirlingas to understand the concept of Kaal Ganana and its spiritual and astronomical connections,” Tiwari said.

During this journey, Srivastava met Tiwari in Ujjain and shared his concept and research. Tiwari later discussed the idea with Mohan Yadav, who was then the Education Minister of Madhya Pradesh, in 2022.

“The then Education Minister Mohan Yadav immediately appreciated the concept and thereafter systematic work on the project began under the Shodh Peeth,” Tiwari said.

He further underlined that all Jyotirlingas historically represented centres connected with ‘Kaal Ganana’ and astronomical observations.

“Ujjain was strategically located, and that is why Mahakaal is situated here. The Jyotirlingas are not merely religious centres but also linked historically to time calculation traditions,” he explained.

Ujjain: India’s Ancient Prime Meridian

Historians, astronomers and researchers associated with the project believe that Ujjain occupies a unique position in the history of global timekeeping.

Situated close to the Tropic of Cancer, Ujjain was considered the ancient Prime Meridian of India and functioned as the principal centre for astronomical calculations for thousands of years.

Ancient Indian astronomers used Ujjain as the reference point for calculating planetary positions and standard time, as mentioned in the Surya Siddhanta and several classical astronomical texts.

Many scholars associated with the project describe Ujjain as the “Greenwich of India,” while some even argue that it represented the original and more legitimate global centre for time calculation long before Greenwich emerged internationally.

Geographically, Ujjain is located near the intersection of the Tropic of Cancer (23.5° North) and the ancient Indian Prime Meridian (approximately 75.8° East), giving it enormous strategic importance in ancient astronomical studies.

The city’s spiritual identity is equally intertwined with time. The presiding deity at Mahakaleshwar Temple is Lord Shiva in the form of “Mahakaal” — the supreme master of time and space.

Ujjain is also regarded as the birthplace of the Vikram Samvat calendar, initiated by the legendary King Vikramaditya around 58–56 BC.

The city further strengthened its reputation as a scientific centre with the establishment of the famous Vedh Shala or Jantar Mantar observatory built by Maharaja Jai Singh II during the 17th century. The observatory continues to symbolise India’s rich legacy in astronomy and celestial calculations.

‘Digital Panchang’ for Modern Times

The Vikramaditya Vaidik Ghadi attempts to merge ancient Indian astronomical wisdom with modern digital technology.

Researchers associated with the project say the Ghadi provides comprehensive Panchang-based calculations including time cycles, planetary positions and traditional Hindu calendrical information in a modern format.

Supporters of the initiative believe it could help revive interest in India’s indigenous scientific traditions among younger generations while also promoting Ujjain as a global centre of historical astronomy.

The initiative also comes at a time when discussions are emerging around the idea of recognising “Mahakal Standard Time” (MST) as a symbolic global benchmark acknowledging Ujjain’s historical role in timekeeping and astronomy.

Cultural experts associated with the project say the installation of the Vikramaditya Vaidik Ghadi at Jyotirlingas is not merely a symbolic religious exercise but an attempt to revive India’s ancient civilisational knowledge systems that integrated astronomy, spirituality, mathematics and geography.

With installations now expanding across major Jyotirlingas, the Madhya Pradesh Government hopes the Vikramaditya Vaidik Ghadi will emerge as a modern representation of India’s timeless scientific and cultural heritage rooted in Ujjain — the ancient city once regarded as the centre of time itself.

 

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