Dec. 25, 2001 - Astronomical Observatory - #1
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Jantar Mantar is an astronomical observatory with masonry instruments, built in 1724 by Maharaja Jai Singh II of Jaipur. It houses a huge sundial and other instruments intended to show the movements of the sun, moon etc. This massive salmon colored structure is only a short stroll down Sansad Marg (parliament street). A short stroll down Parliament Street from Connaught Place, is a strange collection of salmon-coloured structures called Jantar Mantar, consisting of several strange looking constructions which are infact very accurately and scientifically devised astronomical instruments for carrying out an organised study of celestial bodies in absence of the telescope. It is also known as the Yantra Mandir. A huge sundial known as the Prince of Dials dominates it. Other instruments plot the course of heavenly bodies, the paths of stars and predict eclipses. It is said that the Moghul Emperor Muhammad Shah had entrusted Maharaja Jai Singh with the task of revising the calendar. Jai Singh made observations for 7 years and built this observatory in 1725. At first sight, the Jantar Mantar appears like a gallery of modern art. Sawai Jai Singh II, a keen astronomer and a noble in the Moghul court, was dissatisfied by the errors of brass and metal astronomical instruments. Under patronage from the emperor, he set on himself the task of correcting the existing astronomical tables and updating the almanac with more reliable instruments. Jantar Mantar contains four chief instruments - The Samrat Yantra - a simple equal hour sun dial. The Ram Yantra determining the position of the sun and also those of moon, planets and stars. The Jai Prakash gives local time, the sun's declination and the zodical sign or group of the stars on the meridian. To the north of the Samrat Yantra is the Misra Yantra, which is a combination of four scientific gadgets.


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Jantar Mantar Explanation


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Jantar Mantar Explanation zoomed in


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Largest Sun Dial


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Half Celestial Sphere


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Celestial sphere description


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Some astronomy thing


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Celestial Sphere Half


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Some astrology thing


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Astronomy gadgets


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Tanya walking around the observatory

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