The famous 5 Jantar Mantars in India; one of these is a UNESCO heritage site

Jantar Mantar is one of the most interesting astronomical places in India. There are five such Jantar Mantars in India (New Delhi, Jaipur, Ujjain, Mathura and Varanasi) which are also considered as architectural wonders.

These observatories were built during the 18th century and completed between 1724 and 1735. These were commissioned by Maharaja Jai Singh II of Jaipur, a ruler with a keen interest in astronomy. Today, five Jantar Mantars in India attract visitors from across the globe.

But did you know that one of these is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site? The Jantar Mantar in Jaipur was designated a UNESCO site in 2010.

Now let’s have a look at the five Jantar Mantars in India:

The Jantar Mantar in Jaipur is one of the most prominent and largest of the five. Built in 1734 by Rajput king Sawai Jai Singh, the founder of Jaipur, this monument boasts 19 astronomical instruments. It also features the world’s largest stone sundial and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Jantar Mantar in Delhi was built in 1724 and is the second-largest of the five observatories. It is also home to a range of astronomical instruments, including the Sundial, which measures time with remarkable precision. It was designed to provide precise astronomical data, including the positions of celestial bodies.

Located in Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh, the Jantar Mantar was completed in 1725. It served as an important center for astronomical research and is home to several instruments, including one of the largest sundials of all the Jantar Mantar observatories. The Ujjain observatory played a significant role in tracking celestial events.

The Jantar Mantar in Varanasi was established in 1737. Though smaller than its counterparts, it contains several essential instruments for astronomical observations. The Varanasi observatory, like the others, was intended for measuring time and tracking celestial events.

The Mathura Jantar Mantar was built in 1711 and is among the oldest of the five observatories. It is the least well-preserved of the group but holds historical significance as it marked the beginning of Jai Singh II’s efforts to create astronomical observatories across India.