The name “Jantar Mantar” is derived from the Hindi words “Jantar,” meaning instrument or device, and “Mantar,” meaning calculation. Therefore, Jantar Mantar roughly translates to “calculation instrument” or “calculation device,” which is appropriate given that the observatory comprises various instruments used for astronomical calculations and observations.

How Jantar Mantar was built.

Jantar Mantar was indeed built by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II, who was not only the founder and ruler of Jaipur but also a great scholar in physics, mathematics, and astronomy.

In addition to Jantar Mantar in Jaipur, Maharaja Jai Singh II built four other observatories in different parts of the country, including Delhi, Mathura, Ujjain, and Varanasi.

The Mughal Emperor Muhammad Shah did, in fact, assign him the task of identifying the positions and movements of celestial bodies, which inspired the Maharaja’s interest in developing an accurate astronomical instrument to measure time and create a well-defined calendar.

To fulfill this dream, he started studying cosmological principles, drawing on the findings of Hindu, Islamic, European, and Persian civilizations. Finally, he constructed five different observatories across India, including Jantar Mantar in Jaipur, which is the largest and most well-known of them all.

Importance and highlights of the Jantar Mantar, Jaipur

The open-air observatory has been a site where many rulers have attempted to restore it to its former glory, but none have succeeded as well as Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II. The various instruments, also known as ‘Yantras’, which aid astronomers throughout the country in corroborating and correlating astronomical events around the world, include:

1. Chakra Yantra –

The Chakra Yantra is one of the many instruments in the Jantar Mantar observatory in Jaipur, India. It is a large astronomical instrument consisting of a circular stone structure with 12 bronze spokes projecting from the center. The spokes represent the 12 signs of the zodiac, and the circular structure represents the celestial sphere.

People used the Chakra Yantra to measure the positions and movements of celestial objects, particularly the sun and the moon.

2. Dakshin Bhitti Yantra –

The Dakshin Bhitti Yantra is another instrument located in the Jantar Mantar observatory in Jaipur, India. It is a large, concave quadrant-shaped structure made of marble and brass. People use the instrument to measure the altitude and azimuth of celestial objects in the southern hemisphere.

Astronomers use various scales and lines to make precise measurements of celestial objects on the marked quadrant.

3. Digamsha Yantra –

The Digamsha Yantra is another instrument located in the Jantar Mantar observatory in Jaipur, India. It is a large, spherical instrument made of marble and brass. People use the instrument to measure the altitude and azimuth of celestial objects, particularly those in the northern hemisphere.

4. Disha Yantra –

It indicates directions and measurements.

5. Dhruva Darshak Pattika –

It locates and observes the pole star with respect to other celestial bodies.

6. Jai Prakash Yantra –

It provides an inverted image of the sky, measures altitudes, and allows the observer to move inside the instrument, as well as calculate hour angles.

7. Kapila Yantra –

It measures the coordinates of celestial bodies.

8. Kranti Vritta Yantra –

It measures the latitude and longitude of celestial bodies.

9.Laghu Samrat Yantra –

It is a smaller sundial at Jantar Mantar, inclined at 27 degrees.

How to reach Jantar Mantar, Jaipur

By Air:- The nearest airport is Jaipur Airport. To reach there, you can avail yourself of private taxi services or utilize the city bus service provided by public transport.

By Train:- The nearest railway station is Jaipur junction which is located at the 6 km distance from Jantar Mantar. you can hire a private auto or taxi to reach there.