CM Dr. Yadav to Inaugurate State-of-the-Art Planetarium in Dongla on June 21
National Workshop on Astronomy and Indian Knowledge Tradition to be Held at Varahamihira Observatory
prativad 
Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav will inaugurate a state-of-the-art digital planetarium in Dongla, Ujjain, on Saturday, June 21. He will also inaugurate a national workshop on Astronomy and Indian Knowledge Tradition, which will bring together eminent scientists and academicians from across the country.
The planetarium has been established by Acharya Varahamihira Nyas with financial support from the Avaada Foundation and technical collaboration from Deep Sky Planetarium, Kolkata. It features a cutting-edge digital projection system (E-Vision 4) and digital sound system inside an 8-meter diameter FRP dome, with air conditioning and a seating capacity of 55 people. The project cost is approximately Rs. 1.6 crore.
Chief Minister Dr. Yadav will also observe the Zero Shadow Day phenomenon using the Shanku Yantra at the Padma Shri Dr. Vishnu Shridhar Wakankar Observatory, located at the site. A planetarium show will also be presented during the inauguration.
The national workshop will focus on the legacy and scientific relevance of Indian astronomical traditions. Experts will deliberate on the convergence of the Indian knowledge system with modern science. It is being organized jointly by the Madhya Pradesh Council of Science and Technology (MPCST), Vigyan Bharati, Acharya Varahamihira Nyas (Ujjain), Indian Institute of Technology Indore, Vikram University (Ujjain), Madhya Pradesh Hindi Granth Academy (Bhopal), and Veer Bharat Nyas.
Dongla: A Village on the Tropic of Cancer with Historical Significance
Dongla, located in Mahidpur tehsil of Ujjain district, lies on the Tropic of Cancer and holds significant astronomical and astrological importance since ancient times. In 2013, the Madhya Pradesh Council of Science and Technology established the Varahamihira Astronomical Observatory in Dongla to further the legacy of India’s scientific traditions.
Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav has played a key role in conceptualizing, selecting the land, and overseeing the construction of this ambitious project. The observatory has received technical support from the Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA), Bengaluru, and Aryabhatta Research Institute of Observational Sciences (ARIES), Nainital.
Equipped with modern telescopes, the observatory promotes research and academic activities in astronomy. It serves as a platform for students, researchers, and academicians from across India, and also welcomes students from other states under the "Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat" initiative.
Dongla Mean Time (DMT): A Unique Concept
The Padma Shri Dr. Vishnu Shridhar Wakankar Observatory in Dongla, centered around ancient astronomical instruments, keeps alive the cultural and scientific heritage of the region. The integration of modern technology with ancient wisdom is paving the way to establish Dongla as the center for the unique concept of "Dongla Mean Time (DMT)," marking a historic initiative in Indian astronomical advancement.
