Jantar Mantar , is an astronomical observation site built in the early 18th century. This monument is one of the most significant , most comprehensive observatories and is an UNESCO World Heritage Site .This monument got his name from the words Jantra which means Yantra (Although the word Jantar has taken its place in spoken language) and Mantar i.e mantrana which means calculate. Jantar Mantar is an outstanding example of the coming together of observation of the universe society and beliefs.
Location: Gangori Bazaar, J.D.A. Market, Pink City, Jaipur, Rajasthan 302002
Entry Fee: ₹50 for Indian and ₹200 for Foreign tourist
Timing: everyday from 9am to 5pm
Time to visit: 45 minutes
Near by Food :Midtown multicuisine and Govindam retreat
Near by Market: Tripolia Bajaar and Jouhari Bajaar
In early 18th century , Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II of Jaipur constructed 5 Jantar Mantar .These were made in New Delhi , Jaipur , Ujjain , Mathura and Varanasi. Although only four of them are present today . Jantar Mantar in Mathura was destroyed just before the revolt of 1857 . Jantar Mantar of Jaipur is largest among all others.
JANTAR MANTAR AT JAIPUR
It consist of the most significant and best preserved set of instruments .Also, some of them are the largest ever built in their categories . One of them is the Sundial. These instruments were so designed that one could observe astronomical positions with their naked eyes.
These instruments provide ancient cosmological , astronomical and scientific traditions which were used in the 18th century .These instruments further , provides an ultimate culmination of the scientific and technical conceptions of the great observatory devised in the Medieval world.
The reason behind the construction of these instruments was Maharaja Jai Singh's keen interest in astronomy. The king once noticed that the Zij (which was used to determine the position of celestial body) does not matches with the actual ones . So he decided to make 5 observatories in order to create an accurate Zij.
INSTRUMENTS AT JAIPUR'S JANTAR MANTAR
Vrihat Smarat Yantra: The vrihat smarat yantra is the largest sundial. This instrument is also known as supreme instrument . It measures time up to the precision of 2 sec. The shadow of the triangular wall of yantra is positioned in North and South directions (Here, the angle is identical to the latitude and altitude of location) travels equal distance in equal time on both eastern and western quadrants. This monument is then standardized to calculate local time.
Laghu Smarat Yantra: This instrument also calculates time but up to an accuracy of 20 sec. Here, time is calculated by the position of shadow of the ramp on the divisions of carved scale.
Ram Yantra: This instrument measures elevation and azimuth of Sun and other planets. This instrument has a pair of tube-shaped structure. Both of them has a pole of equal height at center .Here, scales indicate the angle of altitude and azimuth of extra-terrestrial bodies.
Jaya Prakash Yantra: This yantra consist of 2 hemispherical bowl .It helps to detect the elevation ,azimuth ,hour angle and position of heavenly bodies. Here, the inverted image of the sky falls on the graded slabs and the movement of the shadows detect things.
Chakra Yantra: This instrument is of ring shape which calculates the co-ordinates and the hour angle of the Sun. Here , declination of sun is measured 4 times in a day by the help of 4 semi-circular arcs on which the gnomon throws shadow .
Digmasa Yantra: This instrument is used to predict the sunrise and sunset timings of the day.
Nadivalya Yantra: This yantra ,consist of a pair of circular plates, facing North and South .These plates represent the hemisphere of earth. These plates ae inclined at such an angle that they are always parallel to Earth's equatorial plane.
Kranti Vritya: This instrument is used to measure the solar signs of the sun in daytime. Every solar sign is present here and one can easily see his/her ones.
The instruments were built of local stone ,marble ,bronze, bricks and mortar. Also ,an astronomical scale was made on marble inner lining. These structures have striking combination of geometric forms at large scale which has drawn attention of many people. Even today, these observatories are in working stage one of them and can calculate time and position of the celestial bodies.
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