The word Jantar Mantar has derived from root “yantra” and “mantra”, where “yantra” denotes instruments, and “mantra” refers to formulae. It has been structured to map out the astronomical phenomena thereby to ascertain scientific data and daily time during the reign of Mughal emperor. This carries the proof of Mughal emperor’s thirst for scientific knowledge. This is the larger and more accurate in comparison to the other Jantar Mantar of India designed by Jai Singh. When the Mughal emperor found the existing astronomical instruments too

small to take correct measurements, then he started building the magnificent Jantar Mantar in Delhi in 1724.

This eye-catching Jantar Mantar is filled with many instruments that are interesting to attract visitors. It bears the charm of modern art and the “sundial” or the “Samrat Yantra” is the most spectacular instrument in the observatory. It is a large structure in yellow with a 27 metre long arm placed at an angle of 27 degrees. This sundial helped in calculating the time of a day in an accurate manner during the ruling period of Mughals, much before the invention of modern watch. The two pillars inside the Jantar Mantar, which is known as “Mishra Yantra”, were used to record the longest and shortest day of the year. There are some other instruments also present, which helped the Mughal emperor to gauge the movements of planets and stars.

Architecture of Jantar Mantar

Jantar Mantar in Delhi comprises of 13 astronomical instruments. This was built when Maharaja Jai Singh II of Jaipur was asked by Mughal king Muhammad Shah to revise the calendar and astronomical calculation. There is a sign fixed on one of the structures in the Jantar Mantar. The observatory of Jantar Mantar comprises of

• Samrat Yantra
• Jayaprakash
• Misra Yantra

The Samrat Yantra is made in a shape of big triangle that was used as a sundial. This is designed with 70 feet height, 114 feet length at the base and 10 feet wide. This triangle helped in indicating the time as in hours, minutes, and seconds. This Samrat Yantra has a 128 foot long hypotenuse that is built as parallel to earth’s axis and points towards the north side.

The Jayprakash Yantra comprises of hollowed hemispheres with marks on their surfaces. It helped an observer align the position of a star from inside the building in the past.

The Misra Yantra was used to measure the exact moment of noon in various locations of India irrespective of how far they are from Delhi.

This observatory was functional up to seven years from the time of its erection.

Best Time to Visit

The best time to visit Jantar Mantar in Delhi is during the autumn season, from October to March. During this time, the weather remains at its best being the pleasant one to roam around, as the summer in Delhi is known for its extreme nature. In summer the scorching heat of the sun lessens the enjoyment of sightseeing. Therefore, it is wise to visit this archeological monument during October to March.

How to Reach

Delhi being the capital of the country is well connected through different means of commute. They are mentioned below:

By Air

Delhi has domestic and international airports to connect with all the cities of India and abroad. The airport of Delhi is named as Indira Gandhi International Airport, from which a diverse range of airlines operate their flights. The domestic airport connects Delhi to the major cities of India.

By Train

Like air, the train facility of Delhi is also very satisfactory. The railway network connects Delhi to every major and minor cities of India. Delhi takes pride in having three big railway stations. They are: New Delhi railway station, Old Delhi railway station, and Hazrat Nizamuddin railway station. These cater to provide railway facility to millions of people.

By Road

This capital city of India is connected through national highways with all main cities in India. There are many government and private bus terminals in Delhi. Among these, the three main bus terminals are Inter Bus terminus (ISBT) at Kashmiri gate, Sarai Kale-khan bus stand, and Anand Vihar Bus terminus. You can also hire a taxi as per your convenience.