Jantar Mantar is a large collection of astronomical devices built by the Maharaja of Jaipur. On our first entry, we thought that it’s just a regular park. We didn’t know at first that the structures inside the park were used for tracking stars, predicting eclipses and other astronomical pursuits.
After reading the inscriptions on the first structure that we got to know what these things are for. Each of them are very large and architecturally beautiful as well. I couldn’t help but imagine as I walk inside the park how they used to study and probe our skies using this system. It’s said that these devices are extremely accurate as well.
Here are some of the devices inside the park:
Yantra Raj: This device is used for measuring altitude, time and the position of the Sun.
Krantivrtta: This is used for measuring the celestial latitude and longitude of an object in the sky.
Narivalaya Uttar Gola: This device is use to determine if a heavenly body is in the northern or southern hemisphere.
Narivalaya Dakshin Gola: This device has the same function as Narivalaya Uttar Gola which is to determine if a heavenly body is in the northern or southern hemisphere.
Observer’s Room
Jaya Prakash Yantra: Also used for finding the position of heavenly bodies.
Zodiac Park
Sagittarius
Said to be the Zodiac sign of travellers???
Chakra Yantra: Used for measuring the global coordinates of declination and the hour angle of a celestial object.
Digamsa: Used for determining the azimuth (angular measurement in a spherical coordinate system) of a celestial object.
Karnti Writta: Used to find the declination and distance from the ecliptic and equinox of the sun and stars.
Dhruvdarshak Pattika: Compass???
Sasthamsa
Sasthamsa: Used for measuring the declination and zenith distance.
It’s amazing to know how fascinated Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh to astronomy and this is just one of the five facilities that he built in different location. Jantar Mantar is also a recognized World Heritage Site.
Entrance Fee is 100 Rupees per person. Go check it out 
