
Jantar Mantar at
Jaipur is the largest stone observatory in the World and this
feature makes it, a special destination for a traveler. Jantar
Mantar of Jaipur is one of the five astronomical observatories
built by Maharaja Jai Singh, the founder of Jaipur. During the
period between 1727 and 1733, Jantar Mantar took its form and
structure. Initially Jantar Mantar was named as Yantra Mantra,
which means instruments and formulae, but due to mispronunciation
of the term, it is changed to the recognized name.
Jantar Mantar has a remarkable collection of architectural
astronomical instruments. It portrays noteworthy attempt of the
ancestors, who were interested in astronomy and knowledge of
celestial bodies. Above all, this observatory still, provides
accurate information, which can be compared with today's modern
instruments undeniably. The compound instruments, whose settings
and shapes are scientifically designed depicts the forte of
Medieval Indian Astronomy.
Jantar Mantar is wholly constructed with stone and marble. The
observatory has fourteen statistical instruments for measuring
time, predicting eclipses and to ascertain other astronomical
events. Amongst all the instruments, the Sundial usually attracts
the maximum attention of people, which tells the time to an
accuracy of about two seconds in local time of Jaipur.