Jantar Mantar Jaipur | Architecture, Facts, Timing, Entry Fee

Nestled amid Rajasthan’s Thar Desert and the Aravalli Hills, Jaipur is a majestic fort city. The ‘Pink City’ as it is called was once the Rajput capital.

Jantar Mantar History:

During the reign of Raja Sawai Jai Singh II, not only did he build the city as it is seen today but he also carried out many scientific developments. The title ‘Sawai’ signifies that the title holder is ‘one and a half times superior to his contemporaries’. Sawai Jai Singh had a keen interest in science, technology, mathematics and astronomy and was particularly interested in the movement of heavenly bodies, right from a young age.

He built several astronomical observatories called Jantar Mantar, around the country, in several cities namely Ujjain, Varanasi, New Delhi, Mathura, etc. The largest of them is in Jaipur. There are 19 instruments, some of them the Sundial or Vrihat Samrat Yantra is the largest stone Sundial in the world. It shows the time upto 2 seconds of accuracy. Completed in 1724 it is more than 200 years old. It is now a UNESCO World Heritage site. The observatory is a must visit for old and young alike, for educationists, students and amateur astronomers.

Jantar Mantar Interesting Facts:

The Jantar Mantar is actually a giant equinoctial sundial where the triangle casts a shadow and the hypotenuse is parallel to the Earth’s axis. It is used to measure time of day and declination and movement of the Sun and other celestial bodies. The term Jantar Mantar comes from the terms Jantar and Mantra from Sanskrit meaning measuring instruments.

Some of the instruments in the observatory are Jai Prakash Yantra, Disha Yantra, Rama Yantra and Chakra Yantra. The Yantras were first made out of wood and after they were tested for accuracy they were made out of the stone that stands today.

Tourist Attraction nearby Jantar Mantar Jaipur:

The Jantar Mantar in Jaipur, Rajasthan is located in the heart of the city and close to another famous tourist destination, Hawa Mahal. There are light and sound shows at particular times which give the history of the City and the reason why Jantar Mantar was built, an interesting program well worth waiting for. The observatory is closed for an hour or so in preparation for the show. During this time it is a good idea to explore the bazaar nearby where interesting local wares are sold. Jaipur is known as the Crafts Capital with Camel leather, Jutis, Mojari, rich and vibrant textiles and Rajasthani artwork are famous.

Weather in Jaipur:

Jaipur is in the middle of a desert and the summer months can be very hot. Winters in Rajasthan are ideal for visiting. A variety of our packages cater to this royal destination. So choose the best Jaipur package that suits your group and enjoy the hospitality of Rajput royalty.