A proposal by Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan to introduce ‘Mahakal Standard Time’ (MST) in place of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) has been well-received by Hindu saints. The proposal was put forward during the International Conference “Mahakal: The Master of Time” in Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh, where Pradhan emphasized the city’s historical significance in time calculation.
All India Sant Samiti General Secretary Swami Jitendranand Saraswati expressed support for the initiative, highlighting the traditional method of time calculation based on the movement of the Sun. He praised the decision to shift to MST, attributing the concept to Lord Shiva, also known as Mahakal.
Saints in Ayodhya also endorsed the proposal, citing the city’s connection to the Tropic of Cancer and its astrological importance. They welcomed the move to reinstate India’s ancient timekeeping practices, emphasizing the cultural and traditional significance of such a shift.
Mahant of Saket Bhawan Mandir in Ayodhya, Sitaram Das Ji Maharaj, emphasized the influence of Mahakal in the world’s functioning and advocated for the establishment of MST. He urged a return to India’s heritage and expressed dissatisfaction with foreign regulations that have overshadowed indigenous traditions.
In contrast, Mahant Yoganand Giri of Shri Panchdashnam Juna Akhara expressed reservations about the proposal, questioning its necessity. Giri suggested that the current Indian Standard Time (IST) based on the Tropic of Cancer’s midpoint in Chhattisgarh should be maintained, emphasizing the significance of Ujjain as a center of ‘Jyotirlingas’.
