What to See in Jantar Mantar in Jaipur?
Jantar Mantar Observatory of Jaipur has the prestigious recognition as UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2010. This observatory has a collection of 19 astronomical instruments, all built by the Rajput king Sawai Jai Singh II in the year 1734.
Jantar Mantar meaning – The name is derived from Yantra (instrument), and Mantra (formula, or in this context calculation). Therefore Jantar Mantar means calculation instrument.
History of Jantar Mantar in Jaipur
Fascination for the unknown elements of Universe enticed the astronomers of India since long. Aryabhata of 5th century is the first of the astronomer of the classical age of Indian mathematics. And in the list of other eminent astronomers of India is Sawai Jai Singh II of Jaipur.
Brihat Samrat Yantra
Laghu Samrat Yantra
Jai Singh II, the illustrious ruler studied several books on astronomy with the sole intention of understanding the planetary objects and their movements. He sent scholars to several foreign countries like Greece, Britain, Arabia and Portugal to study the science of astronomy.
And with the help of scholars like Pt. Jagannath Samrat and Pt. Keval Ramji, Jai Singh II built not just one but 5 observatories between 1727 and 1734. The first experimental observatory was built in Delhi and then he built four more in Jaipur, Ujjain, Varanasi and Mathura. All but Mathura observatory are functioning well today.
Narivalaya Yantra Jantar Mantar in Jaipur
What to see in Jantar Mantar Observatory in Jaipur?
Once you are there, you will find a maze of structures of different shapes and sizes. You will be totally at a loss to understand what to see in Jantar Mantar Observatory of Jaipur! What each of the structure means? Guides are available. And if you have done little bit of homework on the monument understanding should be relatively easy.
Rashi Valaya or Rashi Yantras
Here is a set of 12 instruments depicting the 12 zodiac (rashi) signs. All of them are located on a rectangular platform near southern wall of the observatory.
Rashi Valaya Jantar Mantar Jaipur
Laghu Samrat Yantra
This, as the name translates to, is small sun dial. No way can you miss this as it is right at the entrance, made of red sandstone and marble. It is triangular in shape and measures declination of celestial bodies.
Dhruv Yantra – The Pole Star Instrument
Next to Laghu Samrat Yantra is the Dhruv Yantra, it was used to locate Pole star (dhruv) in sky.
“Known as Dhruvadarshak Pattika in Hindi” said the guide, “It is one of the simplest of all the instruments found in Jantar Mantar.” But to me it didn’t look that simple. A small trapezoidal structure inclined at 27 degrees and made of red sandstone, the upper surface points towards the pole star on a clear dark night. The instrument is erected on 3.07 m long and 54 cm wide stone masonry base. Its lower end is about 76 cm above the ground and the upper end is 2.32 m above the ground.
Dhruv Yantra Jantar Mantar
Narivalaya Yantra – Equatorial Instrument
This has 2 circular dials facing North and South. The shadows of the rods emerging perpendicularly from the plates move along the scales on the dial plates, indicating the local time. These were also used for indicating the hemispherical position of heavenly bodies.
A horizontal sun dial can be seen from the top of Narivalaya. Narivalya Dakshin Gola used to find whether heavenly bodies are in Northern or Southern hemisphere. It can be used to read time also.
Yantra Raj
Can you believe Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II wrote two volumes on the Principles and Utility of this huge 2m dia metal disc? It is reputed to be the King of Instruments there. I could only stare at it in wonder!
Brihat Samrat Yantra
This gigantic instrument too is a sun dial but 10 times bigger than the Laghu Samrat Yantra. Needless to say it is more accurate too. Even today, in this modern era, astrologers gather here on the full moon days of June and July to study the movement and direction of the wind. This helps them forecast the rains. This is reputed to be the world’s largest sun dial.
Krantivritta Yantra
A metal instrument which rotates on a masonry base. It is used for measuring celestial latitude and longitude.
Unnatansha Yantra
It is used to determine the altitude of the stars and planets. This is located in the north-eastern corner of the observatory.
Dakshinottara Bhitti Yantra
This s a vertical instrument built in the plane of the local meridian mainly used for observing the different altitudes of the heavenly bodies.
Jai Prakash Yantra
Below is Jai Prakash Yantra claimed to have been invented by Sawai Jai Singh II. The hemisphere surfaces are of marble and are inscribed with celestial latitude and longitude lines. From the location of the shadow of the sun the celestial coordinates of the sun can be read from the markings on the hemisphere segments.
The observatory has 19 statistical instruments for measuring time, predicting eclipses and to ascertain other astronomical events. The Sundial there tells the time to an accuracy of about two seconds in local time of Jaipur and is a major crowd puller.
Update: Jantar Mantar was carefully renovated in 1901 and was declared a national monument in 1948. They are all freshly painted and therefore look new. (Answer to Reader Wil’s query.)
Jantar Mantar Jaipur: Tickets, Timings and Location
Entrance Fee: 50INR for Indians, 15INR for Indian Students, 200INR for Foreign Tourists, 100INR for Foreign Students (Carry your student ID as proof.) There are extra charges for still and video camera.
Timings: Open on all days 9 AM to 5 PM.
How to Reach Jantar Mantar: Jaipur is well connected to other cities in the world by air and with other cities in India by rail and road. Jantar Mantar is 12.7 km from Jaipur airport. There are plenty of state transport and private taxis that will drop you off at Jantar Mantar.
Jaipur Observatory Sound & Light Show
This sound & light show of 45 minutes is a tribute to Raja Sawai Jai Singh II, who personally looked into making and functioning of these astronomy instruments. The stories describe the making of Jantar Mantar and why Raja Jai Singh shifted the Kachwaha capital from Amber to the new capital city of Jaipur. There is interesting narrations about the different instruments with amazing graphics and soul stirring music.
Shows are conducted in two languages: English show followed by Hindi. The timings depend on the seasons. Oct to Feb: 6.30 PM and 7.30 PM. Mar to Apr: 7 PM and 8 PM. May to Sept: 7.30 PM and 8.30 PM.
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Must See Sights in Jaipur Rajasthan
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(Updated post. This was first published on Mar 30, 2009.)
awesome shadow shot! I enjoyed all your beautiful photos and informational posts–thanks!
Amazing information and the accuracy of two seconds precision bowled me over. Thanks for the wonderful pictures. Was a treat.
I did not know that there is another Jantar Mantar in India (One is in Delhi). Nice designs.
it certainly had a make over. i saw the JM many years ago – it was 83 i think…
What an amazing site!
I head this name, but never know what is there. it was something i learn here about!
Fascinating post. I once lived (many moons ago) fairly close to Jantar Mantar – I wish I knew then what I know now!
Very interesting post. I have always wondered what it was about, and now I want to see it! Let us hope I will see it soon. Good blog!
Destination Infinity
Good pictures and very informative write-up.
I have visited this place twice. After seeing these instruments one feels proud abt our illustrious rulers like Jai Singh.
it is so nice to read about those things we know little off. Thank you for explanning. Very beautiful buldings. Best wishes from jeany
Ah Dear Indrani,
Your posts about Jaipur, Amber Fort and Jantar Mantar are so special for me! I was there in February 2008! An unforgettable, beautiful, fantastic trip! I love India and wish to make another visit as soon as possible!
Have a great day,
Müge
this is a fascinating subject for a post. thanks
great post with a lot of interesting info!
Great pictures of ancient observatory! Glad to hear that they are repainted and maintained well by goverment.
I always learn so much from your posts. Thanks for making history so interesting and thanks, too, for these wonderful pictures.
What an amazing looking place this is, very interesting.
as always…great post and photographs…always enjoy coming to your blog and learning something new.
have a good rest of the day.
Wonderful, like a huge pop-up book…a little sad that they were restored.
These things fascinate me! Thank you for sharing and thanks for visiting me! =)
What a fascinating place! I’m awed by the meticulous mathematics and precision building required to make these amazing structures. Thanks for sharing this with us.
I like the way you pick on unusual subjects for this post..mine are so regular..says a lot about your world 🙂
Thanks for giving me (and all the rest MyWorlder) a look at your part of the world.
Now that accuracy is amazing..if only I could do that with my kids..LOL!
Weren’t you in Bangalore sometime back?How do you get to travel so much?
I have seen Jantar Mantar too, You must be following my footsteps.;-).Your whole blog is with pictures of places where I have lived or visited or have a connection with.:-)!
These are amazing. The curved one is really neat. Thanks for teaching me about these!
Your blog is very interesting, but I’ve said that more than once! I like to read about the history of India. These buildings look rather modern! Were they built at the time the first astrologers lived? Thanks for your visit, have a nice day.
Wow..Always Wanted to go here… for sure sometime
Your blog makes me realize what an isolated world I keep myself in. Thanks for opening the world up to me!
Accuracy of 2 seconds – I am proud of Jaipur – also!
[Aside – which is the timepiece that has most moving parts?
Answer – (Sand-grain-filled) Hour glass]
I have seen the jantar mantar at delhi !!
this one i missed when i was there in jaipur… but your pics make me want to see it…
its fully functional rite ? unlike delhi ?
Lovely shots. Thanks for sharing.
What a majestic place. Must be fascinating to visit.
What great architecture and history.
I would so love to learn how these sundials work and how to read it. I’m just so amused with it. Your part of the world so beautiful.
Wow very interesting. It is something like the chinese fengshui. Thanks for visiting my blog, have replied your query.
Recently Jaipur has moved to the top of the list of the places I want to see in my life. This certainly adds to the reasons for that. Such an interesting post with wonderful photos!
Indrani: What a neat look at all the fancy structures from your world.
The Observatory is a fascinating place with precision instruments on a large scale.
Your photos show it off to perfection.
Sundials are fascinating. What a cool place. Beautifully presented, as always.
These are so unusual and interesting.
Wow those shots are incredible, thanks for sharing.
Have a great week!
Guy
Regina In Pictures
Wow, what a fascinating post. Those structures are all amazing. And so is the story they tell thru you. Great captures.
Thank you for sharing this. I find your country more interesting all the time.
That’s me too much text on the late evening,
I just throw it through the translator ;(
That experimental observatory that was built in Delhi
that I know, because I have read about it 🙂
I personally find that very interesting !!
About the sundials, at my place where I was born
there was one, a very simple but it worked well ( I think it worked… )
The Sundial with you tells the time and more things
thats very special and of course again an attraction for tourists !!
It seems to me an instructive post, Thank you………
Wow, amazing pictures and information. This would be another must-see-places in India for me 🙂
I have been thinkuing of getting a sundial for my garden but I would suspect that these would be a little large.LOL. I enjoyed reading this.
Margaret
Thanks ma’am, for all that info.
And very well captured photographs… especially the last capture.
I love the geometric shapes.
Wonderful buildings! India is so much varied than I thought, but maybe people are thinking the same thing about Niger after discovering My World? Thanks for letting us in, Indrani! I love visiting your blog as I have yet to visit your country, and you’re such a positive and thorough representative of it.
Sincerely,
Esther
That must be an inspiring place, where astronomical studies were begun so long ago. Great photos of the instruments and nice historical detail.
India is such a mystical magical place replete with amazing architecture and historical tid bits.
Thanks for continuously sharing.
Great post and such beautiful structures. Hard to believe they were used by astronomers. They almost look like contemporary art to me.
Indrani, I always love your posts and this is surely no exception! Fascinating and intriguing as well as beautiful! I love learning so much about India from the many friends I have made there through blogging. Thank you for sharing and you are certainly one of those wonderful friends!