Jantar Mantar in Jaipur (A UNESCO heritage site) is one of the five observatory monuments built by Maharaja Jai Singh in early 18th century, other four being at Delhi, Mathura, Ujjain and Varanasi. Located right in the center, next to the City Palace, this is the biggest observatory in India with around 20 instruments.
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You will be amazed to see the monumental astronomical instruments (some being the largest in their category) and the simplicity through which they have been designed to provide astronomical insights even with naked eyes.
On one fine Saturday morning, we decided to visit Jantar Mantar (Jantar means instruments and Mantar means calculation) as we were in Jaipur during our Diwali vacation. It is a beautifully maintained small complex with yellow painted walls. Despite compound bustling with tourists and children (being a long weekend), we could easily navigate around and see instruments. To understand the working of all the instruments, we hired a guide (charges: INR 200 up to 4 people). Within next 45 minutes, our guide walked with us from one instrument to another as he explained us the working of each one of them. It is recommended to hire a guide as it will be difficult to understand the functioning of these instruments by self.
Astronomical Instruments at Jantar Mantar, Jaipur
Very first instrument is Nadivalaya (Circular Dial) with two circular plates facing North and South. Shadow of the rod fixed at the center (as shown in below picture) moves on the dial with change in sun’s position indicating the local time. By adding a correction factor (as displayed at the observatory), you can easily get the local time by looking at the shadow of the rod.
Just next to Nadivalaya is another instrument Vrihat Samrat Yantra. This is a small sundial that can give time up to an accuracy of 2 seconds. The shadow of the triangular wall moves on the semicircular arc (with change in sun’s position) to show the time through markings on the semicircular arc.
As we moved next, we found two adjacent hemispheres which show sun’s position in different rashis. This isused to prepare horoscopes by astrologers. Our guide was quick to explain us the way to see the shadow of a hanging metal piece on the marble and identify the house sun is in currently.
There is another beautiful monument on the right hand side in the form of emerging rays. This shows the latitude and longitude of Jaipur on its walls, as shadow of a central rod falls on the circular wall. Open space facilitate the movement to record the exact readings.
At the far left end, you will see a magnanimous sundial (largest of all of Jai Singh’s instruments). A huge triangular wall rises up right in front of you as its shadow falls on a large semicircular arc. It is so big that people roaming around look really dwarf in front of this Sundial.
Its huge walls, all painted with yellow, also give you a chance to capture some shots with pigeons flying around with a stunning yellow and blue background.
Entry Time: 9 AM to 5 PM (All days open). You may also attend the Sound & Light show which is organized every evening (6:30 PM onwards) both in Hindi & English
Location: Next to city palace. Google Map Directions
You have mainly mentioned Sun dial time estimation function. Were their any other types of observations undertaken using these Yantras? One reason i think these were built as large structure was to get more divisions of a degree of an angle for more accurate readings. Of course once telescopes and vernier concept for subdivision of a unit became available, these became obsolete. Would appreciate if you can give your views to hcchoksi@gmail.com
Thanks Harendra for your views. Will encourage our readers for their view-point either through comments here or an email to you directly.