Located about 250 meters south of Connaught
Place, Jantar Mantar is one of the world's oldest astronomical
observatories. Maharaja Jai Singh II of Jaipur (1699-1743) built
this collection of salmon-colored structures after studying
Hindu, and Muslim astronomical works. The observatory gives
a good insight into the technological innovations of the time
and is an integral part of India's scientific heritage. According
to Sayyid Ahmad Khan, the author of Athar-us-Sanadid, the construction
was completed in 1724. Since Jai Singh himself mentioned that
he built the instruments by the order of the emperor Muhammad
Shah, who ascended the throne only in 1719, the date of Sayyid
Ahmad Khan appears to be authentic.
The Jantar Mantar Observatory contains six instruments.
The most important or the 'Supreme Instrument' in Jantar Mantar
is the Samrat-Yantra, the huge sundial. It is an 'equinoctial
dial' or 'equal hour' sundial, consisting of a triangular gnomon
with the hypotenuse parallel to the earth's axis. On the either
side of the gnomon is a quadrant of a circle parallel to the
plane of the equator.
South of this is the Jai Prakash yantra, an
instrument which consists of two concave hemispherical structures,
used to ascertain the position of the Sun and other heavenly
bodies. Jai Singh himself designed this instrument and hence
the name, which means 'Invention of Jai'. The Ram-Yantra is
south of the Jai Prakash and was used for reading azimuth (horizontal)
and altitude (vertical) angles. It consists of two circular
buildings with a pillar at its center.
Northwest of this is Misra Yantra, which combines
five instruments in one and hence its name. It looks like a
stylized 'namaste', the Indian form of greeting, folded hands
and palms pressed together. The Niyta-Chakra indicates the meridians
of Greenwich, Zurich, Notkey (Japan), and Serichew (Pacific
Ocean).
Dakshinottarabhitti-Yantra was used for obtaining
meridian altitudes and Karka-rasi-valaya indicated the entry
of the Sun in the constellation Cancer. The Agra Yantra (or
amplitude instrument) is the second quadrant on the west side
of the building and the exact purpose of this structure is not
definitely known. The Samrat Yantra, based on the same principles
as the large Samrat Yantra, was used to give time and declination
before and after noon. Built with brick rubble and plastered
with lime, similar observatories were also made at Jaipur, Ujjain,
Varanasi and Mathura.
To the east of these instruments, there is a
Temple of Lord Bhairava, which was also probably built by Maharaja
Jai Singh. The observatory is well maintained by the Archeological
Survey of India and is a protected monument under the ASI Act.
The gardens that surround the instruments have seasonal flowers
and lush grass, where visitors can sit at ease. Jantar Mantar
was the logo of the 1982 Asian Games, and the road leading to
it is also famous as a favorite site for political protest rallies.
Though these instruments are not functional,
as the markings and the floor measurements have blurred with
time, there is a proposal to make them operational in the near
future. Jantar Mantar is an interesting place to visit, as the
geometric structures are fascinating to look at. Jantar Mantar
also provides a calm and soothing environment, in the midst
of the regular hullabaloo of the city. Spread in a good open
area, the protected monument has all basic facilities such as
drinking water and toilet facilities. For eatables it is advisable
to eat the packed food available outside the main entrance.
There is no parking facility at the monument but tourists can
park their vehicles in the nearby parking area, which is 200
meters away.
