Monday, July 6, 2009

Jantar Mantar, Jaipur

So far in Jaipur we have covered palaces, and other attractions. We also explored three different forts - Nahargarh Fort, Jaigarh Fort and Amber Fort. Apart from these another important place in Jaipur is Jantar Mantar. Thia when translated into English stands for Calculation Instruments.

It is a observatory with collection of architectural astronomical instruments. In 1728 then Maharaja of Jaipur Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh-II had got this place constructed in 7 years. Himself being a keen follower of astronomy, not only did the masonry instruments suit his purposes, they also satisfied his architectural instincts.



It severed the dual purpose of verifying astronomical observations as well as to stimulate interest in astronomy. It was built keeping in mind the rules of astronomy, the position of the equator, latitudes and longitudes.

The observatory consists of fourteen major geometric devices for measuring time, predicting eclipses, tracking stars in their orbits, ascertaining the declinations of planets, and determining the celestial altitudes and related ephemerides.


The Giant Sundial (Samrat Yantra) is the world's largest sundial, standing 27 meters tall. The shadow of the instrument moves visibly at 1 mm per second, which for most people is a visibly profound experience.

This observatory is one of the 5 he had created in his time across the nation. Other popular observeatory is in Delhi. But one here in Jaipur is largest.
P.S: December is the month when lot of tourists land in Rajasthan. So if you really want all the arrangements to be done properly this has to be done before October end.

57 comments:

joo said...

Another great place to visit! Your blog is a great guide making your amazing country even more interesing!

Photo Cache said...

Your post just whetted my appetite to see Jaipur in person. My Indian friend lives not too far from there and he and his wife are willing to take us there. Now all I need is some dough :)

My entry is here: http://ewok1993.wordpress.com

Elisabeth's bright side said...

Magnificent construction!

SandyCarlson said...

Pure genius.

James said...

This is really an amazing place. Thanks for sharing the pictures and information.

Phivos Nicolaides said...

I have been to Jaipur last summer, and I know in the first hand what a special place it is!

Bhushavali said...

Hey Rajesh,
One of the places I loved in Delhi.. Now I get to see the Jaipur version thru you. Hope to visit it one day.. :)
Btw, is it well maintained here in Jaipur.???

Wolynski said...

That's incredible - all those giant instruments and the sun dial. India has a rich history, indeed.

Hazel said...

The first shot reminds me of Israelites working in Egypt. Great shots. Thanks for today's virtual tour.

Sucharita Sarkar said...

Fascinating! The ingenuity of the past always leaves me amazed. And great photos, as usual!

indicaspecies said...

Jantar Mantar is a creation of exceptional intellectual ability!

You said there are 5. One is in Delhi and other is in Jaipur. Where are the other 3 located?

Jane Hards Photography said...

Fascinating part of the world. To see such wonders even virtually is a joy.

Zuzana said...

I enjoyed this post as I love astronomy. Anything historical that has to do with science intrigues me.
The sundial is stunning.
Interestingly, the word "Jantar" in my Slavic language means "Amber", the stone.;))

Reader Wil said...

India has about the oldest cultural buildings in the world, I guess. It's a pity that lots of the buildings get lost by decay. They are so beautiful! Thanks for sharing your world!

Kirigalpoththa said...

Wow. amazing! Think they had a very good knowledge about astronomy those days.

Thanks for this info!

Urmi said...

I liked your blog very much.I appreciate for the lovely post.
You are welcome in my blogs.

Ramakrishnan said...

This is a very important historical landmark in Jaipur. And an architectural marvel. There is also a Jantar Mantar in New Delhi.

shilpa said...

First time in your blog love the concept of your blog,jaipur is my native place so thanks for presenting in such a beautiful way

Sameer said...

Great shots of Jantar Mantar.
I will definitely visit this place in this winter.
Thanks for sharing :)

Glennis said...

I wasn't aware there was this observatory in Jaipur, I went to the one in Delhi and was very impressed, I had no idea how it all worked but it was a work of art, yet smaller than this Jaipur one;amazing. Pity we didn't have time to visit this one as well.
I have learned a lot about this area from you, thanks.

Arija said...

I love that place, the Prof brought back so many pictures and explained all the different observational possibilities. A wonderful collection of instruments.

Ice said...

Beautiful sight. I saw this before on the television. It's actually a big "clock", very impressive.

alicesg said...

Wow beautiful.Your first photo looked like a miniature town. Very nice.

brionyskerjance said...

breathtaking! i'd love to see for myself someday.

Buenos Aires Photoblog said...

Absolutely fascinating! It is simply amazing at what expense they measured the time back in the days. There's one thing that is still uncertain until today. While we can count yesterday and tomorrow, we still fail at grasping NOW. How long is now?

Buenos Aires Photo

penny said...

This is a magnificent structure and one to be very proud of. Your blog is a wonderful photo journey around your world.
Thanks for stopping by, have a great day...

MaR said...

What an impressive sundial!! how interesting.

ShySongbird said...

What an incredible construction, I had no idea of its existence. Your posts really are very informative.

Fish Whisperer said...

I never new that India was so into astronomy. Very interesting indeed.
Cheers

Lavender and Vanilla Friends of the Gardens said...

The huge sundial is amazing. What a foresight and interest to build this astronomical place!

Rajesh said...

Joo: Thanks for the appreciation & kind words.

Photo Cache: Thanks for the appreciation & most welcome to visit Jaipur.

Elisabeth: Thank you

Sandy: Thanks. Very true it is a work of genius.

James: Thanks for the appreciation.

Phivos: Thank you.

Mitr: Thanks, it is a nice place surrounded by the hills.

Wolynski: Thanks, it is a amazing work with so much precision.

Hazel: Thank you.

Celine (indicaspecies): Thanks, very true. The 5 are Delhi, Jaipur, Varanasi, Ujjain, Mathura. Varanasi & Ujjain under renovation. Mathura no longer exists.

Sucharita: Thanks, it is a amazing work with so much precision.

Babooshka: Thank you.

Protege: Thanks for the appreciation. "Jantar" is from word Sanskrit "Vantar" meaning machines.

Wil: Thanks, very true. Some of them are well maintained. Others are under renovation. There are so many of them, it is difficult to take care of all of them.

Kirigalpoththa: Thanks for the appreciation.

Babli: Thanks for the appreciation. I will surely do that.

Shilpa: Thanks for the appreciation. You were visit and thoughts more often are cherished.

Sameer: Thanks, it is a nice place.

Glennis: Thanks, it is a amazing work with so much precision. This one is bigger than the one in Delhi.

Arija: Thanks, it is so nice of Prof.

Ai Shiang: Thanks, it is a nice place surrounded by the hills.

alicesg: Thanks for the appreciation.

Buenos: Thanks for the appreciation. It is a amazing work with so much precision.

Pam: Thanks for the appreciation.

Briony: Thanks, you are most welcome to Jaipur.

Mar: Thank you.

Fish Whisperer: Thank, India has been astronomy way long back.

Titania: Thanks, it is a amazing work with so much precision.

myonlyphoto said...

India is nice place, and thanks for sharing info on new place. Anna :)

Sharmistha Guha said...

Rajeshji, thanks once again for sharing ..
the knowledge, both of astronomy, architecture along with the finer aesthetics of our forefathers leaves us humbled....
we say we are progressing and achieving worldwide success & recognition...the fact is we were so so far ahead centuries ago that today's india need a lot of catching up to do!

tulipspeaks said...

a place not to be missed if i ever get the chance to visit India.


ammu.

LadyFi said...

Is that a sundial? Just amazing!

magiceye said...

lovely place

Maggie May said...

Absolutely magnificent buildings. What a great feat of archeaological structure.

Sharmistha Guha said...

Rajeshji you have an AWARD & a TAG at

http://whimsnwishes.blogspot.com/2009/07/tagetty-tagetty-tag.html

George said...

The sundial is absolutely magnificent! I've never seen anything quite like this. Thanks for taking us to this unique place.

joshi daniel said...

so Rajesh, which is the best time to visit jaipur?

bindu said...

This is a fascinating place. Last I was there was 23 years ago!

Lowell said...

Well, this is just fascinating! You remind me again, to my shame, how little I know about the world and your part of the world in particular.

So, thank you for showing us these wonderful sights! Archictectural astronomy instruments! Incredible!

Diane AZ said...

The sundial looks fascinating! Great pictures and interesting history of the observatory.

Tammie Lee said...

such an architecturally interesting place!

Hilary said...

Fantastic shots... what a place!

Rajesh said...

SGD: Thanks for the appreciation. Very true, while progressing we are only unraveling mysteries that have been already answered centuries ago. Thanks for the award.

Anna: Thank You.

tulipspeaks: Than you, you are most welcome to visit India.

LadyFi: Yes, it is the biggest Sun dial. Thanks.

magiceye: Thank you.

Maggie: Thanks for the appreciation.

Joshi: The best time to visit is Novemebr - January. It s cold and pleasant.

George: Thanks for the appreciation.

Bindu: Thank you.

Jacob: Thanks, every country is unique in what they have to offer to the world.

Diane: Thanks for the appreciation.

Tammie: Thank you.

Hilary: Thanks for the appreciation.

Joseph Pulikotil said...

Hi Rajesh:)

Greetings:)

Fantastic pictures and excellent narration. Many thanks for showing the world's largest sun dial.

Have a nice day:)
Joseph

Anonymous said...

hey I did not know that there is also a Jantar Mantar in Jaipur.

Bengbeng said...

Visiting yr blog is such an enriching experience . thanks

sujata sengupta said...

The jantar Mantar in Delhi has been my favourite monument for architectural advancement of ancient India, and now I know thats theres another one in Jaipur as well. Wow thanks to your blog I am getting enriched everyday!

Ash said...

Lovely images! Thanks for sharing...

Sujata said...

Wow! very well written post. I was born in Jaipur!

Dawn Fine said...

What an amazing world u live in filled with such history!

Shailendra Singh said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Barbara Martin said...

The sundial is an amazing piece of architecture!

Rajesh said...

Joseph: Thanks for appreciation.

Deepak: Thanks, At present they are in 4 places - Delhi, Jaipur, Ujjain, Varnasi.

Bengbeng: Thanks for appreciation.

Sujata: Thanks, I have not seen the one in Delhi. At present they are in 4 places - Delhi, Jaipur, Ujjain, Varnasi.

Ash: Thank you.

Sujata: Thanks for appreciation.

dAwN: Thank you.

Barbara: Thank you. It is biggest in the world.

Bikram said...

I rememebr this, when i had visited jaipur .. its a lovely city

Bikram's