JANTAR MANTAR

Situated in the heart of Jaipur city, Jantar Mantar is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It was built in 1734 by Maharaja Jai Singh II, also the founder of the ‘Pink City’, Jaipur. Spread over a vast area of 18,700 metres, it houses an impressive collection of 19 astronomical instruments. Notably, these instruments were used to measure the distance and position of celestial objects. This observatory is a testament of the advancement and innovations of the Rajput era. 

The world’s largest stone sundial, named Vrihat Samrat Yantra, is one of the 19 instruments in Jantar Mantar. These instruments were mainly made of stone, bronze, bricks and mortar. Some other popular instruments of this observatory include Laghu Samrat Yantra, Jaya Prakash Yantra, Ram Yantra and Digamsa. For an enriching experience, take a guided tour so that you can learn in detail about the history of the place and how the instruments functioned. 

History of Jantar Mantar Jaipur

Sawai Jai Singh II was a renowned scholar of his time. Once a while, Emperor Muhammad Shah assigned him a task to confirm and rectify the currently available data on the position and movement of celestial bodies.

Sawai Jai Singh was desperate to refine the tables of ancient Islamic zij to determine the exact time. In short, he aimed to create a well-defined calendar. He was keen on making accurate astrological predictions for the benefit of mankind.

 To bring his dream to reality, he decided that he would construct Jantar Mantar in the year 1718. For the same, he set out on a mission to extensively study the cosmological principles as laid down by the philosophical findings of Hindu, Islamic, European, and Persian civilization.

 In this way, five different astronomical observatories were constructed across various states in India.

The largest amongst all was built in Jaipur in between the period 1727 to 1733. After that, it underwent frequent renovations with the lapse of time.

The available instruments have a broad range of cosmological applications. In the year 2010, this astronomical observatory got featured in the list of UNESCO’s world heritage sites. 

The architecture of Jantar Mantar Jaipur

The astronomical observatory of Jaipur – Jantar Mantar, is a collection of both astronomical and architectural instruments. In all, you may find around 19 major geometrical devices here. Each one of them has got its own specific application.

These devices are used to measure time; ascertain the declination of the planets and the planetary system; prediction of the eclipses; determination of the celestial altitudes, and tracking of the orbital stars.

Sheltering so many instruments, the entire observatory extends to a land stretch of 18700 metres. Interestingly, some of the instruments available here are amongst the largest in their own species.

The instruments of this astronomical observatory were carved out purely from stone and marble as they have got a tremendous potential to withstand climatic changes. Some of them were designed by Raja Sawai Jai Singh II himself.

A few of these instruments were carved out from copper and still are recognised for their undeniable accuracy. In terms of its dimensions, the Jantar Mantar at Jaipur is the largest of all its counterparts present elsewhere in India. 

Highlights

• Take a guided tour to explore one of the fascinating UNESCO World Heritage Sites, Jantar Mantar.
• Witness the world’s largest stone sundial, Vrihat Samrat Yantra with a height of 90 ft. 
• Learn about the purpose and function of each of the 19 astronomical instruments. 
• Watch a short film inside the observatory narrating the history of the monument and the instruments.
• Visit nearby popular attractions such as City Palace, Hawa Mahal and Shri Govind Dev Ji Mandir.

How To Reach

By Car : Jantar Mantar is located at a distance of around 5 km from the city centre of Jaipur. You can easily reach this attraction in approximately 20 minutes by taxi. These taxis are easily accessible from anywhere in the city or, you can also choose to drive yourself. 

By Bus : The nearest bus stop to Jantar Mantar is Tripolia Bazar bus stop. The bus stop is located at a mere distance of 500 metre from the attraction. You can either take a rickshaw or easily cover the distance by an 8 minute walk.

By Metro : The nearest metro station to Jantar Mantar is Badhi Chaupar station which is at a distance of 750 metre from the attraction. You can either take a rickshaw or enjoy a 10 minutes walk to Jantar Mantar. 

Best Time To Visit

Jantar Mantar is an all-year round attraction and it remains open for tourists throughout the year. 

Best Day of the Week : You can visit Jantar Mantar during weekdays instead of the weekends to avoid crowds.

Best Time of the Day : Visit Jantar Mantar during early hours to avoid crowds, long queues and to explore the attraction peacefully at your own pace. 

Other Essential Information

• Maintain the cleanliness of the environment by disposing of garbage properly.
• Wear comfortable clothes and footwear to explore the observatory.
• Avoid climbing on the instruments or entering prohibited areas.
• Apply sunscreen and carry a scarf if you are visiting in the summer.
• Carry sufficient water to keep yourself hydrated throughout the day.