Jantar Mantar - The Hallmark of Jaipur
Jaipur, the cultural hub of Rajasthan, is one of the hottest tourist destinations of India.
The entire city was built according to 'Vaastu Shastra'.
When we talk about the prominent attractions in Jaipur, Jantar Mantar proves to be an interesting one.
This important Rajasthan monument boasts of being the largest stone observatory of India.
Built by Maharaj Sawai Jai Singh II in the period 1727-1733, Jantar Mantar is one of the five observatories of India.
The Jantar Mantar observatory in Delhi is also built by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh.
The name 'Jantar Mantar' is derived from the Sanskrit word 'Yantra Mantra' meaning 'instruments and formulae'.
The monument has a wide array of astronomical instruments that are believed to give correct information even today.
Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II, the Rajput ruler of Amber and the founder of Jaipur, was himself a great builder and an exceptional astronomer.
He built the Jantar Mantar to discover the mysteries of the Cosmos.
The instruments were built keeping in mind the rules of astronomy, and the position of the equator, latitudes and longitudes.
Out of the fourteen major geometric devices/instruments at the Jantar Mantar, a few are:
This largest and the best preserved observatory of India shows the scientific and religious sides of the great king as well.
The entire city was built according to 'Vaastu Shastra'.
When we talk about the prominent attractions in Jaipur, Jantar Mantar proves to be an interesting one.
This important Rajasthan monument boasts of being the largest stone observatory of India.
Built by Maharaj Sawai Jai Singh II in the period 1727-1733, Jantar Mantar is one of the five observatories of India.
The Jantar Mantar observatory in Delhi is also built by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh.
The name 'Jantar Mantar' is derived from the Sanskrit word 'Yantra Mantra' meaning 'instruments and formulae'.
The monument has a wide array of astronomical instruments that are believed to give correct information even today.
Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II, the Rajput ruler of Amber and the founder of Jaipur, was himself a great builder and an exceptional astronomer.
He built the Jantar Mantar to discover the mysteries of the Cosmos.
The instruments were built keeping in mind the rules of astronomy, and the position of the equator, latitudes and longitudes.
Out of the fourteen major geometric devices/instruments at the Jantar Mantar, a few are:
- Dhruva Yantra (to pinpoint the position of 12 Zodiac signs as well as the Pole Star)
- Narivalya Yantra (a unique sundial, the most interesting instrument)
- Kranti Yantra (to measure the longitude and latitude of heavenly bodies)
- Raj Yantra (to calculate the Hindu calendar)
- Unnsyhsmsa Yantra (to determine the altitudes of the heavenly bodies)
- Chakra Yantra (to find an angle of an object from the equator)
- Disha Yantra or the compass
- Dakshina Yantra (observes the position of heavenly bodies when passing over the meridian)
- Samrat Yantra (to predict the length and heaviness of the monsoon)
- Rashivalayas Yantra (has 12 sundials for the zodiac signs)
- Jai Prakash Yantra (to cross check the other instruments)
This largest and the best preserved observatory of India shows the scientific and religious sides of the great king as well.
