Jantar Mantar

This part of Delhi Travel Guide tells about the Jantar Mantar. Jantar Mantar is a fine example of technological achievements of Rajput rulers.  One among the five astronomical observatories, Jantar Mantar in Delhi should not be missed during your Delhi Tour. Other observatories are at Jaipur, Varanasi, Mathura and Ujjain. There are various abstract structures within the Jantar Mantar which keep track of the celestial bodies.

Location of Jantar Mantar
Reaching Jantar Mantar is very easy on your Delhi Travel as it is located in the heart of Connaught Place, the most important commercial hub of Delhi.  Jantar Mantar is surrounded by many modern high buildings. After entering the complex of Jantar Mantar, you enter just a different world which blends history and science together.

History of Jantar Mantar
Delhi Tour can be enriching for you as Jantar Mantar is a unique kind of structure. It was constructed by Maharaja Jai Singh II of Jaipur in 1724 AD. Sawai Jai Singh II descended the throne of Amber at the age of 11 during the times of Mughal emperor Aurungzeb. He gave Jai Singh, the title of Sawai as he was impressed by the sharpness and agility of JaiSingh. Sawai means one and quarter of an average person in worth.
Sawai Jai Singh II was great patron of science and art, especially astronomy.  There is a famous legend about the construction of Jantar Mantar. After the death of Aurungzeb, Mohammad Shah empowered the state.  Sawai Jai Singh was a trusted ally of Mohammad Shah. Once, in the court of Mohammad Shah, Hindu and Muslim astrologers were arguing over the planetary positions.  Jai Singh offered the emperor to rectify the existing tables and he accepted.  This observatory at Delhi got completed in 1724 but remained operational only for seven years.

More about Jantar Mantar

Jantar Mantar is among the most popular tourist attractions in Delhi. Different structures present in Jantar Mantar are built for specific purpose such as telling the position of stars and planets, altitude, calculating eclipses and more.  Meaning of Jantar is instrument and Mantar means formula and calculation through it. Samrat Yantra dominates the periphery of Jantar Mantar. This huge instrument tells the local time within 4 minutes. Jai Prakash and Misra Yantra are other important instruments.