Jantar Mantar – Delhi Tourism

JANTAR MANTAR

As you all know that the Jantar Mantar is located in the heart of Delhi. Do you know what the Jantar Mantar word actually means? The “Jantar” word is derived from the Hindi word Yantra, which means an instrument, while the suffix “Mantra” word is also derived from the Hindi word mantrana, which means consult or calculate. So, “Jantar Mantar” word which actually means “an instrument for measuring the harmony of the heavens”.

It consists of 13 architectural astronomy instruments. This was built to compile astronomical tables and to predict the times and the movement of the sun, moon, and planets. There are some distinct instruments inside the Jantar Mantar complex housing Ram Yantra, Samrat Yantra, Jayaprakash Yantra, and Misra Yantra.

Do you know an interesting fact about the Jantar Mantar that this was a nearly 300-year-old structure? This blog helps and tells you everything about the Jantar Mantar, including his history, timings, entry fee, and many more interesting details.

Details:-

Location: Connaught Place 

Founded by: Maharaja Jai Singh II

Year of Establishment: 1724

Type: Astronomical Observatory

Key Attraction: 13 Astronomical Instruments

Famous for: Walking Tour, Sightseeing, Photography, Picnicking

Visit Duration: 1-2 hours

Nearest Metro Station: Patel Chowk

Still Camera: Free

Video Camera: Rs. 25

Timing: 10AM-6PM

Entry Fee: INR 15/- for Indian Nationals, INR 200/- for foreign tourists

History: Jantar Mantar

Jantar Mantar was built by Maharaja Jai Singh II of Jaipur, in the year 1724. Jai Singh, born in 1688 into a Royal Rajput family that ruled the regional kingdom, was born into an era of education that maintained a keen interest in astronomy.

 It is one of the five sites built by the Maharaja, revising the calendar and astronomical tables. The site is one in Delhi and was the first to be built among these five. The other left four sites or observatories are located in Jaipur, Varanasi, Ujjain, and Mathura.

Individual Structures:

• Ram Yantra

The Ram Yantra instrument has two large structural cylinders or open top and it is used to determine the altitude of stars based on the latitude and the longitude on the earth.

• Samrat Yantra

The Samrat yantra also called a supreme instrument, is a giant triangle that is basically an equal-hour sundial. It is considered the main structure inside the observatory. It is around 70 feet in height and 114 feet in length at the base and 10 feet in thickness. 

• Jayaprakash Yantra

This structure consists of hollowed-out hemispheres with marking on their concave surfaces. This is the most versatile and complex instrument that can give the coordinates of celestial objects in multiple systems.

• Misra Yantra

It consists of five different types of instruments that are used to find out the longest and the shortest days of the year. Name of these instruments is Dakshinottara Bhatti, Samrat, Niyat Chakra, Karka Rasivalaya, and the Western Quadrant.

Facts  about Jantar Mantar

Let’s know some interesting and amazing facts about this wonderful site, Jantar Mantar:

• The Jantar Mantar words are derived from the Hindi two words yantra which means instrument and mantra which means calculation.
• During the Asian Games that are held in New Delhi in 1982, Jantar Mantar was used as the logo of the event.
• Sawai Jai Singh II had made a total of five Jantar mantras between 1717-1737 and out of five only four remains.
• Sites of Jaipur is one of the five sites constructed by Maharaja Jai Singh II is the largest site among them.
• It is one of the world heritage sites listed by UNESCO.
• The purpose of building the Jantar Mantar was to study time and space.

Places near Jantar Mantar for visit:

• Bangla Sahib Gurudwara – about 700m
• National Museum – about 2.3km
• Parliament House – about 2.7km
• Rashtrapati Bhawan – about 2.8km
• Khooni Darwaza – about 4.4km