Jantar Mantar, Jaipur
An 18th-century open-air observatory of giant instruments
Overview
Jantar Mantar is an astronomical observatory built by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II between 1728 and 1734. Its large stone and masonry instruments were designed to measure time, track the stars and predict eclipses.
The Samrat Yantra is among the largest sundials in the world, and the zodiac instruments each point to a different sign.
What to look for
- Samrat Yantra, the giant sundial
- The twelve zodiac instruments (Rashi Valaya)
- The Jai Prakash Yantra
Visiting tips
- Take a guide: the instruments mean little without explanation.
- Visit around midday when the shadows are sharp.
- Combine it with the City Palace next door.
Why visit with a private guide
A private guide shows you where to stand, when to arrive and what most visitors miss at Jantar Mantar, Jaipur, and fits the visit around the rest of your day.
More photographs
Nearby
Chand Baori Amber Fort City Palace Hawa Mahal Jal Mahal Nahargarh Fort Jaigarh Fort
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