Jantar Mantar: Astronomical Observatory in Delhi

11 Mar, 2023

India Travel: Jantar Mantar is an astronomical observatory located in New Delhi, India. It was built by Maharaja Jai Singh II of Jaipur in the early 18th century, and is one of five observatories he constructed in different parts of India. “Jantar Mantar” it means “instruments for measuring the harmony of the heavens”. There are 13 astronomical instruments in total.

Quick details about Jantar Mantar:

Status: UNESCO World Heritage Site
Type: Astronomical Observatory
Built in Year: 1724
Constructed By: Maharaja Jai Singh II of Jaipur
Location: Sansad Marg, Connaught Place, New Delhi, Delhi 110001

Jantar Mantar consists of several large masonry instruments, including a sundial, a giant triangular gnomon, and a hemispherical sundial. These instruments were used to measure the positions and movements of celestial objects such as the sun, moon, and planets.

Today, Jantar Mantar is a popular tourist attraction in Delhi and is also used by researchers and astronomers for astronomical observations.

Jantar Mantar is a popular tourist attraction in Delhi.

Samrat Yantra in Jantar Mantar:

This is one of the important places in India. Samrat Yantra is one of the major instruments located at the Jantar Mantar observatory in New Delhi, India. It is a huge sundial, which is also known as the "Supreme Instrument". The Samrat Yantra is made of stone and stands at a height of 27 meters.

The Samrat Yantra is designed to measure the local time accurately. The shadow of the gnomon (the vertical rod) falls on the inclined plane of the triangle, which is marked with hours, minutes and seconds. The shadow moves along the inclined plane and indicates the time.

Samrat Yantra is one of the major instruments located at the Jantar Mantar observatory in New Delhi, India.

The Samrat Yantra is considered to be one of the largest sundials in the world and is a marvel of ancient Indian engineering. It was designed by Maharaja Jai Singh II of Jaipur in the early 18th century, and is still used by astronomers and researchers today to measure the local time and to study the movements of celestial bodies.

Jantar Mantar timing:

Timing is important. Jantar Mantar observatory in New Delhi, India is open for visitors from 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM every day of the week, including weekends and public holidays. The last entry for visitors is at 5:00 PM.

The best time to visit Jantar Mantar is during the winter months (November to February) when the weather is cool and pleasant. During this time, the sky is clear, and the visibility is good, making it an ideal time for astronomical observations. However, it's important to note that Jantar Mantar is not open for night-time astronomical observations.

More observatories :

If you want to observe the night sky, there are several other observatories and planetariums in India that offer night-time observation programs. Some of the most popular ones are:

Nehru Planetarium, Mumbai - This is a popular planetarium located in Mumbai that offers night sky observation programs for visitors.
Birla Planetarium, Kolkata - Located in Kolkata, the Birla Planetarium has a state-of-the-art telescope and offers night sky observation programs.
IUCAA Girawali Observatory, Pune - This is a world-class observatory located near Pune that offers night-time observation programs for visitors.
Vainu Bappu Observatory, Kavalur - Located in Tamil Nadu, the Vainu Bappu Observatory is one of the largest astronomical observatories in Asia and offers night-time observation programs.
Indian Astronomical Observatory, Hanle - Located in the Himalayas, this observatory is situated at an altitude of 4,500 meters and offers night-time observation programs for visitors.

It's important to note that these observatories have different schedules and timings for their night-time observation programs. It's always a good idea to check their websites or contact them directly for more information.