Jantar Mantar: The largest stone observatory in the world

Rajasthan is rich in architecture and Jantar Mantar is one such architectural marvel, standing testimony to it. It is one of the astronomical observatories built by Sawai Jai Singh II in 1716.The other four are located at Delhi, Ujjain, Mathura and Varanasi. Jantar Mantar at Jaipur is the largest among all and is located in the City Palace Complex. Sawai Jai Singh II had keen interest in astronomy and used astronomical inventions from different countries in the creation of this great stone observatory. Its construction consumed seven years. Today it is on the list of the National Monuments Of India.

In Sanskrit, 'Jantar Mantar' means 'Magical Devices' and in reality this monument is not far from magic as huge concrete masonry instruments were used to measure altitude, time, movement of the stars and planets and other astronomical events. Samrat Yantra is the name given to a large sundial that tells accurate time. It is in the form of a triangle with hours and minutes marked on it. Dakshina Yantra is another instrument used for observing the position and movement of heavenly bodies. Unnsyhsmsa yantra is used for measuring the altitudes of the heavenly bodies and the Chakra Yantra gives the angle of an object from the equator.

All the instruments built here are highly efficient in their workings.