Jantar Mantar

Jantar Mantar of Jaipur will remind you of the famous historical observatory that you saw in Delhi. Chances are that you may want to skip the repetition to save time, but don't miss your chance to see this more elaborate piece of work. In fact, it boasts of being the largest stone observatory in the world.

Located next to the City Palace, this exemplar of scientific excellence of that time, was built in 1728 by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh. It was christened after the Sanskrit terms 'Yantra Mantra' which mean 'instruments and formulae'. But it was a result of pronunciation errors, which gave this edifice the name that its known today with.

Entering the complex, you will find fourteen gigantic marble and stone structures, placed with utmost precision and designed after extensive study and calculations. These instruments were used to measure variances such as time, eclipses and other astronomical events by observing and recording positions of shadows and celestial objects.

It was the passion of Sawai Jai Singh for astronomy, science and town planning that he undertook extensive research, before he built the observatories. This research also included foreign trips by scholars to study international scientific instruments There are five such observatories in India, one in Jaipur and the other four are located in Delhi, Agra, Varanasi and Ujjain.

The most attention-grabbing instrument here is the Sundial, named Brihat Samrat Yantra. You will locate this instrument in the extreme right of the compound. It is 27 m high with a fleet of steps taking you to the top. The shadow that falls on it helps the observer to calculate the local and meridian time. Apart from time, it also helps in predicting monsoons and the effect on crops.

Besides the sundial, other instruments placed here also have their unique purpose. Like Laghu Samrat Yantra calculates the declination of celestial bodies while the Dhruva Darshak Yantra helps in finding the pole star and the zodiac signs. Similarly there is Yamtra Raj, which can aid in calculating days and months of the Hindu calender and the Dakhinovrith Bhitti Yantra and Rashi Yantra that help in determining the position of celestial bodies.

An interesting instrument is the Jai Prakash Yantra, which used to help the royal family determine auspicious days for weddings and religious functions. There are several nooks on the walls of the instrument, strategically placed to deter harsh winds from affecting the instrument. These instruments are used even today and they can challenge the results and findings of any modern instrument.