Jantar Mantar in Jaipur is a cool place where you can learn about stars and planets. It’s an open-air observatory, which means it’s outside and you can see the sky. It’s also a UNESCO World Heritage Site, making it very special and important.

A Peek into History

A long time ago, in the early 1700s, a king named Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II built Jantar Mantar. He loved looking at the stars and wanted to understand them better. So, he made this place with 19 big instruments to help study the sky. The most famous instrument is the Samrat Yantra, which is the biggest sundial in India.

Amazing Architecture

The instruments at Jantar Mantar are made of marble, stone, and bronze. They were designed by 23 astronomers from Jaipur. The whole area is huge, covering 18,000 square meters. Since 1961, Jantar Mantar has been taken care of by the Archaeological Sites and Monuments, Rajasthan.

Cool Instruments to See

Here are some of the interesting instruments you can see at Jantar Mantar:

  • Chakra Yantra: Tells the time of day and matches other big observatories around the world.
  • Dakshin Bhitti Yantra: Measures how high and far away stars and planets are.
  • Digamsha Yantra: Tells when the sun will rise and set.
  • Disha Yantra: Shows directions.
  • Dhruva Darshak Pattika: Helps find the North Star.
  • Jai Prakash Yantra: Gives an upside-down view of the sky.
  • Kapila Yantra: Measures where stars and planets are.
  • Kranti Vritta Yantra: Tells the location of stars.
  • Laghu Samrat Yantra: A smaller sundial that shows time.
  • Misra Yantra: Combines five different instruments.
  • Nadi Valaya Yantra: Measures time very accurately.
  • Rama Yantra: Measures the sun’s height.
  • Rashi Valaya Yantra: Tracks the 12 constellations in the sky.
  • Shastansh Yantra: Measures the sun’s size and distance.
  • Unnatamsa Yantra: Measures stars and planets.
  • Vrihat Samrat Yantra: The world’s largest sundial.
  • Yantra Raj Yantra: Helps calculate the Hindu calendar.

Fun Facts

  1. Educational Tours: Schools often bring students here to learn about astronomy.
  2. Cultural Events: Sometimes, there are special events and shows at Jantar Mantar.
  3. Photography: It’s a great place to take cool pictures, especially at sunrise and sunset.
  4. Night Tours: Sometimes, you can visit at night to see the stars better.

Visiting Jantar Mantar

You can visit Jantar Mantar from 9 am to 5 pm every day. It costs Rs. 50 for Indian residents, Rs. 15 for Indian students, Rs. 200 for foreign visitors, and Rs. 100 for foreign students. It takes about 45 minutes to see everything.

Nearby Places to Explore

  • Sound and Light Show: An evening show with lights and sounds telling the history of Jantar Mantar and Jaipur.
    • October to February: 6:30 pm
    • March to April: 7 pm
    • May to September: 7:30 pm
  • City Palace: A beautiful palace 400 meters away from Jantar Mantar.
  • Hawa Mahal: The “Palace of Wind,” 700 meters away, known for its pretty design.
  • Tripolia Gate: A big gate marking the entrance to Jaipur, 300 meters away.
  • Govardhan Temple: A temple for Lord Krishna and Radha, located 700 meters away in the Hawa Mahal complex.

Jantar Mantar Images/Photos

Best Time to Visit

The best time to visit Jantar Mantar is from October to March because the weather is cooler. It’s fun to visit around midday to see the sun and understand how the instruments work.

Getting There

You can reach Jantar Mantar by taxi, bus, or cycle-rickshaw. Jaipur is easy to get to by road, air, and train from all over India.

Places to Eat

Nearby, you can find tasty food at:

  • Midtown Multicuisine Restaurant: 500 meters away.
  • Govindam Retreat: 500 meters away, known for Rajasthani Thali.
  • Tattoo Café and Lounge: 300 meters away.
  • Wind View Café: 300 meters away.
  • Rawat Sweets: 300 meters away, great for sweets.

FAQs

What is Jantar Mantar in Jaipur?

Jantar Mantar in Jaipur is an open-air astronomical observatory built in the early 18th century by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its large-scale instruments used to study the sky.

Who built Jantar Mantar and why?

Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II built Jantar Mantar because he was fascinated by stars and wanted to learn more about them. He created this observatory to study celestial objects and their movements.

What are some of the main instruments at Jantar Mantar?

Some main instruments at Jantar Mantar include the Samrat Yantra (a large sundial), Chakra Yantra, Dakshin Bhitti Yantra, Digamsha Yantra, and many others that measure time, directions, and positions of stars and planets.

How big is Jantar Mantar?

Jantar Mantar covers an area of 18,000 square meters and contains 19 large instruments made of marble, stone, and bronze.

What are the visiting hours and entry fees for Jantar Mantar?

Jantar Mantar is open from 9 am to 5 pm every day. The entry fee is Rs. 50 for Indian residents, Rs. 15 for Indian students, Rs. 200 for foreign nationals, and Rs. 100 for foreign students.

When is the best time to visit Jantar Mantar?

The best time to visit Jantar Mantar is from October to March when the weather is cooler. Visiting around midday is ideal for observing the sun’s position and understanding the instruments.

What can I do near Jantar Mantar?

Near Jantar Mantar, you can visit the City Palace, Hawa Mahal, Tripolia Gate, and Govardhan Temple. You can also watch a sound and light show in the evening that tells the history of Jaipur and Jantar Mantar.

How can I reach Jantar Mantar?

You can reach Jantar Mantar by taxi, bus, or cycle-rickshaw. Jaipur is well-connected by road, air, and rail from various parts of India.

Are there any special tours or events at Jantar Mantar?

Yes, educational tours, cultural events, and sometimes night tours are organized at Jantar Mantar. These tours help visitors learn about the history and significance of the observatory.

Where can I eat near Jantar Mantar?

There are several restaurants and cafes near Jantar Mantar, such as Midtown Multicuisine Restaurant, Govindam Retreat, Tattoo Café and Lounge, Wind View Café, and Rawat Sweets, offering a variety of cuisines.

Plan Your Visit

Kingslandholiday, offers affordable tour packages to explore Jaipur. Choose the package that suits you best for a fun trip to this amazing city. For more details, fill out the Contact Us form on our website.