By Aryan Singh
Foucault’s Pendulum in the Constitutional Gallery in the New Parliament Building
During the hot summer months when Parliament was not in session, I had the remarkable opportunity to explore the stunning new Parliament building with my college society. This building, located in the heart of New Delhi, also known as Lutyens Delhi, is a testament of modern architecture combined with technology & science and the nurturing history of freedom fighters and constitutional makers. Beyond its impressive state-of-the-art corridors and beautifully crafted walls, including the grand peacock-themed Lok Sabha and the lotus-decorated Rajya Sabha, what fascinated me was something unexpected: a captivating masterpiece gently swaying from the ceiling of the Constitution Gallery. It was Foucault’s Pendulum.
This Pendulum is created by the National Council of Science Museum in Kolkata. It is the biggest pendulum in India with a massive height of 22m and a heavy weight of 36kg. This Pendulum is created by using gunmetal and is equipped with an electromagnetic coil to ensure smooth and uninterrupted movement. It took around 10-12 months to create this pendulum, with all components being exclusively ‘Made in India’. It is also significant because it represents “integration of the idea of India with the idea of cosmos,” which means the deep connection b/w India’s cultural, spiritual, and scientific heritage and its understanding of the universe, where the cosmos is seen as an integral part of ancient Indian philosophy, traditions, and influencing scientific thought. (The Hindu, 2023)
What is Foucault’s Pendulum? How does it work?
This Pendulum is named after French scientist & physicist Leon Foucault, who experimented in 1851 to demonstrate Earth’s rotation. It was the first simple and visible proof that the Earth rotates on its axis. This pendulum swings back and forth in a straight line, but as time passes, the direction of its swing slowly changes. This change happens not because the pendulum moves, but because the Earth is rotating underneath it. This effect is much stronger near the poles and almost negligible at the equator.
Source: Britannica, Foucault Pendulum in Pantheon, Paris
He carried out his famous experiment right inside the grand dome of the Pantheon in Paris — suspending a massive 28 kg iron sphere from a slender steel wire stretching an impressive 67 meters. The ball was carefully pulled to one side and released without any sideways push, ensuring it swung back and forth in a straight line. The rate at which the plane changes depend on the latitude of the pendulum. At the Equator, the pendulum would not rotate at all, but at the poles it would complete one rotation almost every 24 hours. (Britannica, 2019)
Source: Britannica, Leon Foucault
Significance in the New Parliament Building
Source: Kadvacorp, Foucault’s Pendulum, and Nakshatra in the ceiling of the constitutional hall
This stunning Foucault Pendulum stands as a proud symbol of India’s dedication to science and technology, reflecting Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of ‘Make in India’ and a self-reliant nation. It also echoes the spirit of scientific curiosity and rational thinking, values that are part of our Fundamental Duties under Article 51A of the Constitution.
The pendulum itself takes nearly 50 hours (49 hours and 59 minutes) to complete a full clockwise swing, thanks to the unique location of the Parliament at 28.6° North latitude. To maintain its smooth and uninterrupted motion, it’s powered continuously, ensuring that air resistance doesn’t slow it down, and below the floor has a design of an astrolabe (an ancient astronomical instrument used for solving problems related to time and the position of stars). (Indian Express, 2023)
Above, the ceiling of the Constitutional Hall adds another layer of meaning: it is adorned with beautifully crafted Ashwini nakshatra and planets as they appeared at midnight 00:00 hours on 26th January 1950 — the historic moment our Constitution came into effect and India became a Democratic nation. (Axe Media, 2025)
This Pendulum is a gracious union of tradition and modernity, art and science, history and innovation, and the polity of our temple of Democracy. As it silently marks the rotation of our planet, it also reflects the steady journey of our democracy, ever guided by reason, curiosity, and the timeless quest for knowledge. This pendulum, framed by the cosmic dance of nakshatras above and the astrolabe below, becomes a living tribute to India’s spirit: rooted deeply in its ancient wisdom yet always moving forward, embracing progress and self-reliance. In its motion, it inspires us to look up, to question, and to dream — reminding every visitor of the profound beauty of scientific wonder and the shared destiny that unites us all under one sky.
References
1. Divya A, et al. “What Is a Foucault Pendulum, hanging in the New Parliament Building?” The Indian Express, 31 May 2023, indianexpress.com/article/explained/explained-sci-tech/what-is-a-foucaults-pendulum-new-parliament-building-8634952/. Accessed 22 July 2025.
2. Tikkanen, Amy. “Foucault Pendulum | Physics.” Encyclopaedia Britannica, 2019, www.britannica.com/science/Foucault-pendulum.
3. Axe Media. “What Is Foucault’s Pendulum? | Foucault’s Pendulum in the New Parliament in India.” Astronomy Online Workshop | Astronomy & Space Education Programs in India, 28 Sept. 2023, axsx.in/s-pendulum-in-the-new-parliament-in-India/. Accessed 22 July 2025.
4. Today, India. “What Is Foucault’s Pendulum? The Unique Device Hanging in the New Parliament.” India Today, June 2023, www.indiatoday.in/science/story/what-is-foucaults-pendulum-the-unique-device-hanging-in-the-new-parliament-2387346-2023-06-01. Accessed 22 July 2025.
5. Bureau, The Hindu. “A Foucault Pendulum Swings inside the New Parliament.” The Hindu, 28 May 2023, www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/science/foucault-pendulum-new-parliament-building-ncsm-kolkata/article66904653.ece. Accessed 22 July 2025.
6. Rao, Lingamgunta Nirmitha. “What Is Foucault’s Pendulum Installed in the New Parliament Building? Explained | Latest News India – Hindustan Times.” Hindustan Times, 30 May 2023, www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/foucaults-pendulum-in-new-parliament-buidling-explained-101685446897355.html. Accessed 22 July 2025.
7. Mehra, Kajal. “Foucault Pendulum in the Indian Parliament Building.” Times Tech, 31 Oct. 2023, timestech.in/Foucault-pendulum-in-Indian-parliament-building/. Accessed 22 July 2025.
