Jantar Mantar is one of the unique structures raised in 1724 by the
Maharaja of Jaipur, Jai Singh II. Jantar Mantar lies in the heart of Delhi's
commercial centre near Connaught Place.
This Jantar Mantar is one of several astronomical observatories erected by
Maharaja Jai Singh. There are various abstract structures within the Jantar
Mantar keeping track of celestial bodies in our solar system. In fact, the
structures are instruments, used in finding the planetary positions.
Jantar Mantar is not only a sundial of celestial bodies, but it also
symbolizes the technological achievements under the Rajput kings and their
endeavor to resolve the astronomical mysteries. The Jantar Mantar of Delhi
is only one of the five observatories built by Maharaja Jai Singh II. The
other four Jantar Mantar are located at Jaipur, Varanasi, Ujjain and
Mathura. All of these were built as far back as AD 1724-1730. The period
marked as the dark age of Indian history, pertaining to the downfall of the
Mughal Empire.
Delhi's Jantar Mantar is the first of the five observatories that Maharaja
Jai Singh built with huge masonry instruments.
Jantar Mantar has :
Samrat Yantra - An equinoctial Sun dial - the largest and
the most imposing structure at the Observatory.
Misra Yantra - A mixed instrument which incorporates many
interesting functions.
Jayaprakash - The 'Crest Jewel' of instruments consisting
of two complimentary concave hemispheres, reflecting the dome of the sky.
Ram Yantra - Two imposing circular complementary
buildings, designed for very easy determination of local celestial
co-ordinates.
History :
This is an open air observatory, built in 1724 by astronomer Maharaja Jai
Singh II. It consists of large scale masonry instruments for accurate
measuring of various astronomical data. Sawai Jia Singh II of Jaipur
(1699-1743), a passionate astronomer and a noble in the Mughal court, was
displeased by the inaccuracy of brass and metal astronomical instruments,
used by the then Mughals. Taking the patronage from the Emperor, he updated
the existing astronomical tables with more reliable instruments.
Jai Singh had a passion for astronomy. Once, at the court of Muhammad Shah,
he found the Hindu and Muslim astrologers involved in a heated argument over
certain planetary positions. In order to determine an auspicious hour for
the Emperor to set out on an expedition, the astrologers were desperate to
know the accurate planetary positions. Seeing all this Maharaja Jai Singh
offered to rectify the available astronomical tables, which was readily
accepted by the Mughal emperor. And this move resulted in the erection of an
onsite Jantar Mantar in Delhi, an astronomical observatory where the
movements of sun, moon and planets could be observed.
Other places of interest, close to Jantar Mantar :
» Parliament House
» Janpath Market for Shopping
» Hanuman Mandir
» Central Cottage Emporium
Timings :
It is open daily from dawn to dusk.
How to Reach There :
New Delhi is excellently connected by rail, air and road with various parts
of the country. Jantar Mantar being situated at Connaught Place, the heart
of Delhi is accessible from all the part of the Delhi by any public or
private vehicle.
Shopping and Eating Out :
Connaught Place and Janpath Market are the closest shopping and refreshment
places near to Jantar Mantar. There are many restaurant available in &
around CP and Janpath offering wide range of Indian and continental dishes.
Connaught Place is the best shopping place in Delhi. One can find anything
of ones choice from here.
