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Satellite view © Google Earth
Samrat Yantra © Alcoreo
Rashivalaya Yantra © Alcoreo
Jai Prakash Yantra © Alcoreo
Ram Yantra ©Alcoreo
astronomical observatory of Jaipur
Rajasthan, India
Built in 1734, the Jantar Mantar is the largest astronomical Observatory of India and also the most accomplished. This 20’000 square meters in surface area open-air observatory is located in the historical centre of Jaipur, nearby the City Palace. During the high tourist season, 4000 visitors come daily to discover this scientific monument, which has been restored recently.
The Jantar Mantar Observatory has been inscribed on the World Heritage List by UNESCO in 2010.
The Jantar Mantar harbours the world’s greatest sundial, the Samrat Yantra. It contains 17 astronomical instrument complexes of which 6 function with solar light and 11 by lunar and stellar reflection.
These monumental instruments (Yantra) give a precise measure of time, of the declination of the sun, the azimuth, of the placement of constellations in daylight, of eclipses and of other astronomical phenomena. Since its inception, it has been a centre of studies which has welcomed astronomers from all over Europe.
Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II, its builder and eminent man of science distinguished himself by his universalistic approach of the study of astronomy and by his remarkable scientific works in this domain.He decided to improve the usual brass instruments by enlarging them in order to obtain more precise measurements and by building them in a stable and permanent manner to avoid the risks of error.
3D Animation of the site’s virtual model © ALCOREO & Mondo Rondo Web Factory, 2006