UJJAIN- MAHAKAAL SIGNIFICANCE

 

There is a strong geographical, historical, and cultural correlation between Madhya Pradesh, the Tropic of Cancer, the Standard Meridian of India, and Ujjain’s significance as an ancient timekeeping center. Both the Tropic of Cancer and the Standard Meridian pass through it.

In ancient India, Ujjain was considered the Zero Longitude (Prime Meridian) for Hindu astronomers and astrologers. Astronomers from the Gupta period (4th–6th century CE), like Varahamihira and Brahmagupta, used Ujjain’s location for astronomical calculations. The Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga in Ujjain symbolizes Kāla (Time) and Eternity. Mahakal (महाकाल) literally means ‘The Great Time,’ representing the cosmic force that governs time and change, symbolizing the cyclical nature of existence—creation, preservation, and destruction. Ujjain’s Simhastha Kumbh Mela is aligned with the planetary positions of Jupiter in Leo (Simha Rashi).

So, Ujjain was not randomly chosen as a timekeeping centre—it was a scientifically and spiritually significant location.

So, Ujjain was not randomly chosen as a timekeeping center- it was a scientifically and spiritually significant location.