Jantar Mantar

Jantar Mantar Fast facts

• Location- Parliament Street in Connaught Place
• Built- Sawai Jaisingh II
• Architecture style- astronomical observatory
• Built in- 1752
• Timings- Sunrise to sunset
• Status- protected monument under ASI Act
• Interesting fact- was the official logo of the 1982 Asian Games. This was the first Asian games to be held at the Olympic Council of Asia.
• Preferred time to visit- Mornings and evenings specially when shadows falls
• Open- Open on all days
• Admission fee- Rs 5 for Indian citizens and Rs 100 for foreigners
• Photography- Rs 25 for video filming
• Parking- Free and open to all within 200 meters away

Jantar Mantar is one of the oldest astronomical observatories in India as well as the entire world. This monument is situated at distance of 250 meters from the famous shopping center of Connaught Place. This observatory was made in 1752 under the aegis of Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II of Jaipur. He had a strong affinity towards learning as well also had a keen interest in astronomical subjects. This monument stands as fitting epitome of the technology of the times and also the keen interest that individuals vested in studying the various astronomical bodies.

Jantar Mantar of Delhi is one of the five observatories to be built by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh the second. The other observatories made by him are located in the cities of Jaipur, Varanasi, Ujjain and Mathura. These observatories were built sometime around 1752 to 1760. These observatories can be seen as the first efforts of the country in studying astronomical bodies as well as forces. While others rulers and emperors were showed affinity towards arts and cultures Sawai Jai spent considerable amount of energy and effort in creating what he called a rebirth of practical astronomy for the Indian masses. However his plans did not fully succeed as the country was facing torrid times.

Despite the problems faced Jai Singh was never bogged down by the situation. He first used brass instruments to see the observe the various celestial bodies. However they were imperfect as far as science was concerned, too small and also were unstable and could be displaced easily. He then followed the renowned observer of the times Prince Ulugh Bheg who built the 15 century observatory at Samarkand in Uzbekistan. In 1760 he sent a mission to the King of Portugal. On their return the mission bought back a telescope that belonged to the court astronomer Xavier D’Silva.

The Giant Observatory at Delhi can be recognized as a giant version of the Speherical Sundial that tells the time of day by the position of the sun. There are distinctive instruments within the observatory in New Delhi.

• Samrat Yantra- the Samrat Yantra also known as Supreme instrument. It is a giant instrument that is an hour sundial. On either side of the Sundial is a quadrant with various graduations that indicates hours, minutes and seconds. This Yantra was created at a time when sundials were already in use. However more than just a basic sundial this equipment is precision tool that effectively measures the declination (decline) and movements of celestial bodies.
• Jayprakash Yantra- The Jayprakash Yantra consists of hollowed out hemispheres with markings on concave surfaces. From inside the observatories one can align the position of the stars without various markings on the window.
• Mishra Yantra- this was the only structure in the observatory that was not built by Jai Singh. The Mishra Yantras were able to indicate at when it was noon in various cities of the world.

Today the observatory is a tourist attraction site and is significant in the history of astronomy.

How to reach Jantar Mantar

• Nearest railway station- New Delhi Railway station
• Nearest metro station- Connaught place
• Nearest airport- Indira Gandhi national Airport