The very First Physical Time Measuring Mechanism.

The Water Vessel above Lord Shiva Lingam was actually a time measuring machine/ "Ghata Yantra" once. Very first yantra was introduced in Ujjain Mahakleshwar temple by our Scientist, Astrologer Rishi Varahamihira.

Due to the constant flow of water devotees placed it above the Shiva lingam.

In Early days time was measured as per the Sun Movment. Thereafter, Water and Sand Ghatyantras were introduced,

In Bharatvarsh we had these since lakh of years however it was precisely mentioned in Panchsiddhantika and SuryaSiddhanta by our Rishis.

There was a small hole in the vessel for water to enter the vessel and sink into the water in a bell.

These Watery movement were marked on its exterior, later as time passed, science evolved and Pendulum watches and new watches were introduced.

There are many reference in our Purans about measuring Time, days so precisely that we can predict the future eclipse using Panchang.

The Vikram Samvat Calender was no doubt introduced quite earlier compared any other calenders. Julian Calendar was used by other countries however their measurement were not accurate as per Tropical time so Gregorian calendar was introduced,

still this is not so accurate in measuring time and revolution so we add 29th feb after 4 years which is not the case with Panchang. The balance days, times as per nakshtra are added as adhik maas/extra month after every 32 months, 16 days and 8 ghati,

this month is considered as the most Auspicious month, so powerful that you can celebrate every festival in this one month period, everything in this month related to dharma gives its fruits in Multiples. Such is the Heritage of bharatvarsh which has been forgotten

द्वादशार्धपलोन्मानं चतुर्भिश्चतुरङ्गुलै: ।
स्वर्णमाषै: कृतच्छिद्रं यावत्प्रस्थजलप्लुतम् ॥ ९ ॥
SB-3.11.9

The measuring pot for one nāḍikā, or daṇḍa, can be prepared with a six-pala-weight [fourteen ounce] pot of copper,

in which a hole is bored with a gold probe weighing four māṣa and measuring four fingers long. When the pot is placed on water, the time before the water overflows in the pot is called one daṇḍa.l

Special thanks to Dhaval Yash bhaiya for sharing this information