Delhi's Jantar Mantar Information

 About

History of Jantar mantar

An astronomical marvel situated right in the heart of the capital Delhi, Jantar Mantars is a phenomenal piece of architecture in the form of a sundial. Built-in 1724 by Maharaja Jai Singh II of Jaipur, it is among the five observatories, the biggest one located in Jaipur. The rest are in Ujjain, Varanasi, and Mathura. The prime motive of the observatory was to gauge and collate the astronomical charts, and to estimate the time by tracking the movements of the planets, the moon, and the sun. A spectacular specimen of astronomy from the past, Jantar Mantar doesn’t fail to impress even in this age.

Standing at 723 ft, the Jantar Mantar in Delhi comprises 13 astronomical instruments, and the most important of them are Misra yantra, Jaiprakash yantra, Samrat yantra, and Ram yantra. Painted in red, the observatory and its instruments have been mended and fixed over the years. The sundial is based on the ancient Egyptian Ptolemaic structure and adheres to the following celestial orders: the equatorial, the ecliptic, and the horizon-zenith local arrangement.

Jantar Mantar Architecture and Information

The Mughal ruler, Muhamad Shah commissioned Maharaja Jai Singh II to reassess the astronomical calendars and charts after which the latter started constructing these sundials in different parts of the country. Jai Singh being well-informed on astronomy wanted to analyze the ancient Islamic calendars for a better evaluation of time. The aim behind these observatories was to predict the time with accuracy and track the planetary movement for information on the celestial bodies and phenomena. Here’s what the four main instruments in Delhi’s Jantar Mantar are for:

Misra Yantra

The instrument translates to a mix which means that it is a combination of five instruments meant to work in tandem to assess the shortest and longest days in a year. It could also be used to note the time of noon in different cities around the world. The amazing instrument could actually tell when it was noon in any part of the world.

Samrat Yantra

Also called the supreme instrument, the 70 ft high and 10 ft thick instrument is an equal hour sundial in the shape of a huge triangle. It’s the hypotenuse and is 128 ft in length and runs parallel to the earth’s axis pointing towards the North Pole. There are indications on either side depicting hours, seconds, and minutes. The Samrat yantra was unique as it facilitated in predicting the declination of celestial bodies which sundials of those times couldn’t.

Jaiprakash Yantra

This one comprises hemispheres which are hollow and their conclave bodies with markings and attached crosswires stretched to meet the rims.

Rama Yantra

These instruments were used to measure the altitude of planets depending on the position of the earth. This could happen with the two giant cylindrical models with an open-top surface.

Jantar Mantar Timings

Its timings are from sunrise to sunset. The visiting hours for Jantar Mantar are 9.30 am till 5.30 pm.

Jantar Mantar Address

It is located right in the city center with close proximity to various important landmarks of the city. Its address is Sansad Marg, Connaught Place, New Delhi, Delhi, 110001.

Jantar Mantar Opening Days

Jantar Mantar is open on all days of the week.

How to reach Jantar Mantar Delhi?

Situated in the heart of Delhi city, It can be easily reached by many modes of transport. The easiest way is to hop on a metro or take city buses plying to central Delhi or hire an auto or a taxi. While you are visiting Jantar Mantar, you can explore the other places in Delhi such as Connaught Place, Khan Market, and Janpath.

There are umpteen places and monuments in New Delhi that should be on your must-visit list such as Qutub Minar, Red Fort, Humayun’s Tomb, Kotla Firoz Shah.

Airports and Railway Station near Jantar Mantar

Nearest Airport Indira Gandhi International Airport

Nearest Metro Station Patel Chowk

Nearest Railway Station New Delhi Railway Station

Nearest Metro Station to Jantar Mantar

Patel Chowk is the closest metro station to Jantar Mantar. Alternatively, you can get off at Rajiv Chowk which is only 5 minutes from the observatory. Nearest Bus Stand to Jantar Mantar: Palika Kendra is the nearest bus stand and is only 2 km from Jantar Mantar. The second nearest bus stand is Sansad Marg.

Nearest Railway Station to Jantar Mantar

New Delhi Railway Station is 2 km from Jantar Mantar.

Nearest Airport to Jantar Mantar

Indira Gandhi International Airport is 15 km from Jantar Mantar. You can either take the Delhi Airport Express metro (orange line) or hire a cab to reach the Delhi Airport.

Jantar Mantar Online Ticket

Entry Fee (Indian) INR 15

Entry Fee (SAARC and BIMSTEC) INR 15

Entry Fee (Foreigner ) INR 200

Video Photography INR 25

Jantar Mantar entry fee for foreigners is Rs 200 while the entry fee for Indians is Rs 15. The entry ticket for Jantar Mantar for BIMSTEC and SAARC nationals is Rs 15. The Jantar Mantar tickets for the light and sound show can be bought at the site. The still photography is free but the video photography charge is Rs 25.

Things to do in Delhi

Being the capital of the country Delhi has almost everything you can indulge in. There are umpteen activities in Delhi from City Tour, to spending a day at the amusement and water parks like Fun n Food Village Tour, Explore Adventure Island or even Paintballing in Select City Walk and getting a taste of the malls in the city by shopping, eating or even catching the latest movie.

Outstanding Universal Value of Jantar Mantar

Jantar Mantar, New Delhi, is one of the five observatories built by Maharaja Jai Singh II of Jaipur in the year 1724. This time observatory was built after Mughal emperor Muhammad Shah allotted the task of re-examining the calendar and astronomical records to Maharaja Jai Singh II. This observatory completed the purpose of compiling astronomical records along with the task of estimating time and tracking the movement of celestial bodies such as the moon, sun, and other planets