Jantar Mantar was built under the supervision of King Sawai Jai Singh II, the Rajput Maharaja. It is the largest astronomical observatory out of the total five. The other four are housed in New Delhi, Ujjain, Varanasi and Mathura. These observatories were built to predict the movement of the Sun and planets.
Standing adjacent to two of the major attractions in Jaipur, namely City Palace and Hawa Mahal, the observatory is visited by tourists from all around the world. In total, there are nineteen instruments in Jantar Mantar that were used for astronomical calculations. The historical planetarium is also listed in UNESCO’s World Heritage Sites.
The observatory has the world’s largest sundial and you will be enthralled to see it carved out of stone. The other instruments in the observatory are also interesting to look at. Though there are informative plaques beside every instrument which describes the working and features of the devices, it is advisable to hire a guide so that you can learn about the instruments showcased inside the monument. The intriguing structure of the observatory makes visitors keen to know every detail about the place. The monument in itself is magnificent and the exquisite instruments housed inside the monuments interests people from all walks of life.
You can also photograph the majestic beauty of the place. There are various other attractions situated in close vicinity to Jantar Mantar. Everyone who visits Jaipur must make it a point to witness the majestic brilliance of the observatory.
It is regarded as a royal heritage of Jaipur and the nation is proud to have such an informative and historical landmark. It marks the intelligence and glory of ancient India.
Housed in the heart of the city, Jantar Mantar can be easily reached by opting for public conveyance.
Badi Chopad and Choti Chopad are the nearest bus stands in the area.
">CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons. Dow Hill