Jantar Mantar

In Jaipur, the capital and gateway to Rajasthan, you will find one of the the largest stone observatory in the World and this feature makes it, a special destination for a traveller. Jantar Mantar of Jaipur is one of the five astronomical observatories built by Maharaja Jai Singh, the founder of Jaipur. During the period between 1727 and 1733.It is the most precious and culturally non aligned pieces of architecture in the world. . Located in the city of Jaipur, Jantar Mantar draws its name from Sanskrit terms 'yantra' and 'mantra'. The former term means instrument while the latter means formulae.

Built of local stone and marble, each instrument carries an astronomical scale, generally marked on the marble inner lining; bronze tablets, all extraordinarily accurate, were also employed. Thoroughly restored in 1901, the Jantar Mantar was declared a national monument in 1948.
A perfect amalgamation of religion and science, the observatory, still in its own unsecularized integrity, is comparable only with the witnesses in stone of the archaic cultures. Whether or not you are interested in stars, this place is worth a visit for its pure architectural splendour.

Jantar Mantar has a remarkable collection of architectural astronomical instruments. It portrays noteworthy attempt of the ancestors, who were interested in astronomy and knowledge of celestial bodies. Above all, this observatory still, provides accurate information, which can be compared with today's modern instruments undeniably.

The compound instruments are in most cases huge structures, whose settings and shapes are scientifically designed to depicts the forte of Medieval Indian Astronomy. The samrat yantra, for instance, which is a sundail, can be used to tell the time to an accuracy of about two seconds in Jaipur local time.1 It is considered the largest sundial in the world.(1) (2) Today the main purpose of the observatory is to function as a tourist attraction.

Jantar Mantar is hugely attractive destination for scholars, however, common people are little aware about its importance. A visit to Jantar Mantar makes tourists realize that the Rajput rulers were not just ardent patriots and admirer of royalty but also highly intellectual and observant. As such, though the place is more related to science, yet it has a historical importance attached to it. Jantar Mantar is open on all days from 9.00 am in the morning till 4.30 pm.