Constructed in 1724 Maharaja Jaisingh of Jaipur built the Janatar Mantar. Jantar Mantar means instruments and formulae. Maharaja Jaisingh built these observatories in other parts too – Ujjain, Varanasi and Mathura. The Maharaja found the instruments too small to take correct measurements. So he built large and more accurate instruments to make it easier for himself.
The instruments at Jantar Mantar are fascinating to watch. Presently there are other towering buildings around Jantarmantar hence the accuracy of the reading from these observatories cannot be taken to be right. Jantar Mantar is situate din the modern city of New Delhi. It comprises of thirteen architectural astronomy instruments. The observatory at Delhi is one amongst the five that was built by Maharaja Jai Singh. Emperor Muhammad shah has assigned the task to Maharaja Jai Singh to get the astronomical tables and calendar in place. The prime purpose of the observatory was to compile astronomical tables. The observatory was intended towards predicting the times and movements of sun, moon, planet. Today these purposes fall under astronomy.
Samrat yantra
Jantar Mantar had decayed by 1867. The observatory saw huge damage by Indian rebels in 1857. Today Jantar Mantar has been renovated and comprises of individual structures all of which have a purpose. The three instruments within the observatory are – Samrat Yantra, Jayaprakash and Misra Yantra. The Samrat yantra is a giant triangle that equals an hour sundial. It is 70 feet high, 114 feet long and ten feet thick. During the time of construction especially the Samrat Yantra, sun- dials were already in place. Samrat yantra turned a basic sundial into a tool that helped with precision measuring and helped with coordinates to locate heavenly bodies.
Jayaprakash Yantra comprises of hemispheres that re hollow and has markings on the concave surface. Crosswire were stretched on the rims between the points. There is a Ram and from inside the Ram an observer could align the position of a star with different markings or windows edge.
Misra yantra
Misra yantra was designed to check on the shortest and longest days of the year. Misra Yantra was designed to show the exact time of noon in different cities and location despite the distance of the place. The Misra yantra was definitely a remarkable instrument that helped check the exact time across the world.
Jantar Mantar is an ideal place for school and college trips. It is located on the Parliament Street at Connaught place. The nearest metro station is at Patel Chowk and the Park is open on all days for tourists and visitors to pay a visit. The observatory is open from sunrise till sunset. The entry ticket to the observatory varies substantially for Indian and foreign tourists.
