Sawai Jai Singh II built the Jantar Mantar observatory in Jaipur in the 18th century. It’s a collection of astronomical instruments for measuring time, the position of stars and planets, predicting eclipses and other celestial measurements. Some of these instruments could predict the onset of monsoons, floods, and famines and how hot the summers would be. In 2010, Jantar Mantar bagged the tag of a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is a testimony of architectural and instrumental innovations made in the 18th century. Read on to know how we went about exploring the Jantar Mantar in Jaipur.
Jantar Mantar Meaning
We purchase entry tickets to the observatory. We are accompanied by our knowledgeable guide, Vismaya Bhati, from Rajasthan Routes and Trails. He explains the meaning of the term ‘Jantar Mantar.’ The word ‘Jantar’ is derived from the Sanskrit word ‘Yantra,’ which means an instrument or machine. The word ‘Mantra’ means to calculate. So, literally speaking, Jantar Mantar means ‘Instrument used for calculation.’
The Man Behind the Observatory
Sawai Jai Singh II was keenly interested in astronomy, mathematics, architecture and town planning. He had studied the Islamic Zij Tables, which were then the reference for astronomy. He found that these tables were not accurate and embarked on a mission to construct more accurate instruments. Sawai Jai Singh II was instrumental in building five Jantar Mantar observatories in India. These are located in Delhi, Jaipur, Varanasi, Ujjain and Mathura.
Dhruva Darsaka Yantra
Bhati begins explaining to us the structure and function of each instrument. I am immediately reminded of my geography lessons at school. I can’t vouch that I have understood each instrument’s nuances and nitty gritty, but I will try my best. We begin by exploring the Dhruva Darsaka Yantra, the simplest structure in the observatory. It is trapezoidal in shape and designed to locate the Pole Star. Since Jaipur is located at 27 degrees latitude, the angle in the triangular wall is also 27 degrees. This placement helps one determine the pole star in the sky.
Nadivalya Yantra
It consists of two sundials with time in hours and minutes marked, one facing the northern hemisphere and the other facing the southern hemisphere. From the Autumn Equinox 23rd September to the Spring Equinox 21st March the dial facing the south is lit and is used to tell the time. From the Spring Equinox 21st March to Autumn Equinox 23rd September the Northern facing dial is lit and used to tell the time. This instrument could measure time accurately up to a minute. Bhati looks at the shadow cast by the gnomon(pointer) and by some magical calculation tells us the correct time at the moment- 11:15 in the morning!
Jai Prakash Yantra
In front of us are two bowl-like structures. Each bowl is divided into sections, and there are steps between these sections for people to walk on. Bhati points to a tight string stretched across the top edge of the bowl. A metal plate with a hole in the middle is hanging from this string. This plate is like a tool for looking at the sky. At night, it helps observers see celestial objects; during the day, it creates a clear shadow inside the bowl.
Ram Yantra
It is getting hotter by the minute and there is no shade over our heads. I am thankful for the stole which I am wearing and cover my head with it. We next head to the Great Rama Yantra. It is a set of two big, open cylinders. Each cylinder has 12 pillars, 12 horizontal slabs and a tall pole in the middle. The pole is as high as the pillars around it. Now, both the horizontal slabs and the inside of the vertical pillars have markings that are like special measurements. These markings help people figure out two things – how high a celestial object is in the sky (altitude) and where it is in relation to the compass directions (azimuth). Close by is a smaller version of the Rama Yantra. This was made as a test model, and then the larger instrument was made for greater accuracy.
Rama Yantra @Rafiq Somani
Chakra Yantra
The Chakra Yantra is next in line. It consists of two big, round, and shiny metal rings. They stand between two bowl shapes (Kapala Yantra) in the ground, one in front and one behind the metal circles. These rings can spin around like a wheel on a bike, but they spin up and down, not sideways. These rings help one figure out two things about objects in the sky. First, they can tell when something like a star or planet is right above them in the sky. It’s like figuring out the exact time when the object is at its highest point (meridian). Second, the rings help measure how high (ascension) or low (descension) the object is in the sky, kind of like finding its position up and down.
Kapala Yantra
They are two bowl-shaped structures made of marble with markings. One bowl is in the west, and it helps measure where the sun is on the horizon, like if it’s rising or setting. The other bowl is in the east, and it transforms this information into a different way of looking at the sky, like it helps you to draw it on a map.
Brihat Samrat Yantra
It is the largest structure of the observatory. It is a horizontal sundial with a gnomon/pointer. The pointer is 22.6 metres tall and 50.1 metres on the slanting side. One might wonder why such a giant structure was made. It was for accuracy and precision of timing to the nearest 2 seconds. A staircase on the sloping side of the pointer takes you to a chatri or cupola. The instrument helped in predicting important things like the weather and harvests! There are two big curved scales attached to the sides of this triangle. These are like the numbers on a clock, but they help measure more than just time. They can also tell you about the positions of stars at night.
Laghu Samrat Yantra
This is a smaller sundial which works just like the Brihat Samrat Yantra and measures time.
Laghu Samrat Yantra @Rafiq Somani
Rasivalaya Yantra
In earlier times, marriages were decided based on matching the rashis or zodiac signs in the horoscope. So, determining an individual’s zodiac sign was crucial based on date, time and place of birth. The Rasivalaya Yantra helped determine the zodiac sign of a newborn. They are a cluster of twelve independent instruments, one for each zodiac sign. These individual instruments measure the latitude and longitude of a celestial object in one of the constellations.
Rajasthani Puppet Show
We are awed and a little overwhelmed with all the instruments and their functioning. We now spot a Rajasthani Puppet show in a part of the complex. The puppets are dressed in traditional costumes- men wearing angarkhas and pagdis/turbans with long moustaches. The women wearing tie and dye ghagra cholis. Suddenly a cobra/snake makes an appearance in the show. Expert puppeteers pull strings of the snake as it flashes its hood trying to bite one of the characters adding dramatic action to the show. Drums, harmonium and cymbals add music and melody to the show.
Final Word
We are amazed at how these instruments, designed more than three centuries ago, made precise astronomical observations and continue to be fascinating examples of early scientific ingenuity. We wrap up our cosmic expedition at Jantar Mantar and head to the City Palace. (There is a separate article on Jaipur City Place, which you can read here.) There are other instruments in the observatory that you may want to explore.
GETTING THERE
Nearest Airport: Jaipur has an airport with connectivity to major cities in India.
Where to stay: We stayed at ITC Rajputana. You can do a net search for hotels depending on budget and comfort.
Contact of guide: Vismaya Singh Bhati- 919829271900.
Travel Help: Rajasthan Routes and Trails helped us plan this trip to Jaipur.
Travel Tip: Please wear comfortable shoes and a hat as there will be considerable walking in the sun. Please carry water bottles to keep yourself hydrated, especially in the summer.