{
  "type": "article",
  "title": "No Shadow at Noon: Ujjain's Historic Yantra Mahal to Witness Rare Zero Shadow Day on June 21",
  "summary": "On June 21 at 12:28 PM, the sun will align directly over the Tropic of Cancer, causing shadows to briefly vanish at the historic Jivaji Observatory in Ujjain.",
  "content": "Ujjain’s Yantra Mahal Set to Host Rare Zero Shadow Day\n\nThe ancient city of Ujjain, widely revered as the sacred land of Baba Mahakal, holds a prestigious place not only in spiritual traditions but also in the annals of historical astronomy. Located on the southern bank of the Shipra River along Chintaman Road, the legendary Jivaji Observatory, popularly known as Yantra Mahal, is gearing up to host a spectacular astronomical phenomenon. On June 21, which falls on a Sunday, skywatchers and science enthusiasts will have the opportunity to witness a rare cosmic alignment.\n\nAt exactly 12:28 PM, the sun will position itself perpendicularly directly over the Tropic of Cancer. This precise alignment will cause the shadows of vertical structures, trees, poles, and even humans to momentarily disappear from the ground. Scientifically categorized as Zero Shadow Day, this captivating event is often described in popular culture as the brief moment when even one’s own shadow deserts them.\n\n \n\nThe Solstice: Longest Day and Shortest Night\n\nOn June 21, the sun reaches its northernmost point relative to the Earth, marking the summer solstice in the Northern Hemisphere. Consequently, this date features the longest day and the shortest night of the entire year. In Ujjain, the sun is scheduled to rise at 5:42 AM and set at 7:16 PM. This will result in an extended daytime duration of 13 hours and 34 minutes, while the night will span a mere 10 hours and 26 minutes.\n\n \n\nA Look Inside the 300-Year-Old Astronomical Wonder\n\nGiven its geographic proximity to the Tropic of Cancer, Ujjain serves as a premier destination for observing such astronomical occurrences. According to Dr. Rajendra Prakash Gupta, the Superintendent of the Jivaji Observatory, the disappearance of shadows can be observed vividly using the specialized Shanku Yantra, provided there are clear skies and bright sunlight.\n\nThis remarkable observatory was commissioned nearly three-and-a-half centuries ago, in the year 1733 AD, by Maharaja Jai Singh of Jaipur. Traditional Indian astronomers and geographers have long maintained that the prime meridian passes directly through Ujjain, which gives this observatory a monumental status in ancient global time-keeping and astronomical studies.\n\n \n\nThe Precision of the Shanku Yantra\n\nAmong the key instruments in the complex is the Shanku Yantra, which is constructed parallel to the plane of the horizon. The shadow cast by this device interacts with seven distinct lines engraved on its surface, each representing the 12 zodiac signs. These calculations accurately map out the year’s critical seasonal transitions: the longest day on June 21, the shortest day on December 22, and the equinoxes on March 21 and September 23 when day and night are of equal duration. The shifting length of the shadow cast by the gnomon correlates precisely with the changing cycles of the seasons.\n\nWhat this means for you\n• Across India: Students and educators of astronomy will get a hands-on opportunity to witness and study celestial mechanics live.\n• In Ujjain: Residents and tourists visiting the city will get to experience their own shadows completely disappearing at 12:28 PM inside the historic Yantra Mahal campus.\n\nQuestions & Answers\n\n1. When and at what time will Zero Shadow Day occur in Ujjain?\nThis rare astronomical event will occur on June 21 at exactly 12:28 PM in Ujjain.\n\n2. What happens during a Zero Shadow Day?\nDuring this event, the sun positions itself directly overhead, causing shadows of vertical objects to briefly disappear.\n\n3. Who built the Jivaji Observatory in Ujjain and when?\nThe historic observatory was built by Maharaja Jai Singh of Jaipur in 1733 AD, making it nearly 300 years old.\n\n4. What will be the duration of the day and night on June 21?\nOn June 21, the daytime will last for 13 hours and 34 minutes, while the night will be 10 hours and 26 minutes long, marking the longest day of the year.\n\n5. Which instrument can be used to observe this event at the observatory?\nThe astronomical event can be clearly observed using the historical 'Shanku Yantra' located inside the Jivaji Observatory.",
  "url": "https://trendkia.com/en/science/ujjain-ke-yantra-mahal-men-dikhega-anokha-khagoliya-najara-21-june-ko-kuchha-palon-ke-lie-gayaba-ho-jaegi-parachhai-2032",
  "category": "Science",
  "publishedAt": "2026-06-20",
  "tags": [
    "Ujjain",
    "Zero Shadow Day",
    "Jivaji Observatory",
    "Yantra Mahal",
    "Tropic of Cancer",
    "Astronomical Event"
  ],
  "language": "en",
  "site": "TrendKia"
}