Jantar Mantar

Overview

Jantar Mantar is a UNESCO World Heritage astronomical observation site built by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II between 1728 and 1734. It houses the world's largest stone sundial (Samrat Yantra, 27 metres tall) and 18 other geometric instruments that can still measure time, predict eclipses, and track celestial bodies with remarkable accuracy.

Highlights

• Samrat Yantra: The 27-metre sundial accurate to within 2 seconds of local solar time.
• Jai Prakash Yantra: Two hemispherical bowl-like instruments that map celestial positions.
• Ram Yantra: Cylindrical building that measures the altitude and azimuth of celestial objects.

History

Sawai Jai Singh II, a keen astronomer, built five observatories across India; the Jaipur installation is the largest and best preserved. The instruments were designed using knowledge from Hindu, Greek, and Muslim astronomical traditions. It was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2010.

Visitor Tips

• Hire a guide: The instruments are fascinating but difficult to understand without explanation.
• Best time: Visit in the late afternoon when the shadows on the sundials are most dramatic.
• Duration: 45–60 minutes.