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Jantar Mantar is an astronomical observatory situated in the heart of the capital city of India – Delhi. This is a phenomenal marvel of architectural brilliance whose shape represents a big sundial. Since its construction, this observatory has seemingly contributed to the study of both time and space. Maharaja Jai Singh laid the foundation stone for constructing this magnificent structure in the year 1724. Likewise, today, we have four more observatories situated in the cities of Varanasi, Jaipur, Mathura, and Ujjain.
The primary aim underlying the construction of this massive observatory was the preparation of astronomical charts. These were then used to track the local time zones by keeping an eye on the movement and transitions of the sun, the moon and the different planets that constitute our solar system. It thus follows that a highly precious observatory of the ancient past never fails to surprise the technology-influenced astronomers and researchers.
The Delhi’s Jantar Mantar has a got a whopping height of around 723 feet and is comprised of different astronomical instruments totalling to a count of 13 units. Amongst these, the most precious and widely acknowledged ones are – Samrat Yantra, Misra Yantra, Ram Yantra, and Jai Prakash Yantra. The sundial, which forms the chief attraction here, is highly influenced by the ancient Egyptian Ptolemaic Structure. It strictly adheres to the sequential celestial orders of the local arrangement of the equatorial, ecliptic, and the horizontal-zenith planes.
Thus, Delhi’s Jantar Mantar brings close the three different dimensions of belief, universe, and society. It conjoins the aspects of astronomical skills with cosmological concepts arising out of the court of a scholarly prince.
Jantar Mantar: History
Jantar Mantar, Delhi was built by Maharaja Jai Singh II of Jaipur in the year 1724. In fact, the king had established five observatories during his reign in the early 18th century and the one in Delhi was the first to be built among these five. The other four observatories are located in Jaipur, Varanasi, Ujjain, and Mathura.
The main objective of building the observatory was to assemble astronomical tables and to accurately predict the movements of the planets, moon, and sun. At that time, it was a one-of-its-kind observatory to be built in India. But by 1867, Jantar Mantar in Delhi underwent considerable decay. Much later, the Government of India took several initiatives to restore the heritage observatory and promote it as a tourist destination in Delhi.
Jantar Mantar Architecture
The huge observatory contains a number of astronomical structures and instruments, all of which are built entirely of masonry. These instruments were built using brick, limestone, and rubble, and finally plastered. Another unique feature of Jantar Mantar, Delhi is that it is an outdoor observatory. All the instruments here are installed in the open rather than being enclosed within buildings or rooms.
Though the structures and instruments have stood the test of time, they did need a bit of repairing and restoring over the years. But as of date, no significant alterations have been made to these structures inside the Jantar Mantar in Delhi.
Delhi Tourism, for all the right reasons, is the national capital of incredible India. Synonymous with diversity, Delhi tour has always been the epicentre of all activities in India which is reflected in its tourism. Right from the time of Pandavas, it has served as a major strategic and cultural hub of the country and rightly so, today it’s an exhibition of the history of India. Travelling in Delhi isn’t just limited to history but it’s a step to take past and present hand in hand. Blended with modern advancements, Delhi is the modern-day city of Troy. The amalgamation of all religion and spiritual hubs of different faiths coexisting together in peace is the testament of the unity in diversity. Delhi offers numerous tourist attractions ranging from monuments, museums, shrines to modern day markets. Exploring the city is like witnessing a mini-India, with Delhi Tourism being a reflection of rich culture of India.
