Jantar Mantar of Varanasi

About Jantar Mantar Observatory of Varanasi

Jantar-Mantar of Varanasi is a remarkable place and one must visit it to see specimen of Indian Architecture and Construction advancement at the time. Not only in India but even in world civilizations to forecast astrological phenomenon and link it to day to day life is a great deal. In India astrological predictions are made to know good luck of a person, compatibility and success of weddings, birth and future of a child and in ancient times astrological predictions were made by priests to even to know whether state will have a good crop or not, king will get to kill a pray etc. Prevalence of astrological findings are to such an extent in India and some countries that you can say it a superstition. In this way Jantar-Mantar of Varanasi was made to forecast eclipses and movement of extra-terrestrial bodies. Astrologers studied here all planetary movements and engineers watch its construction.

Opening Time of Jantar Mantar (Man Mahal Palace) :

Opening Time : 06:00 AM

Closing Time : 05:00 PM

Entry to Jantar-Mantar of Varanasi :

One can enter this archeological site by taking a ticket at counter available there.

Location of Jantar-Mantar in Varanasi :

Jantar Mantar is located on the roof of the King Man Singh Palace near Dashashwamedh Ghat, at Godaulia, Varanasi. It is situated to such on high place that flood water of river Ganges can never reach here, much above the water level of the Holy River Ganga. It is located about 6 km from Varanasi Cantt Railway Station and about 7 km from the Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi. Jantar Mantarof Varanasi is the imitation of Jantar Mantar at other places such as New Delhi, Jaipur.

How to Reach Jantar Mantar:

You can reach Jantar Mantar by hiring taxi, rickshaws, bus or auto-rickshaws from any place of Varanasi. If need a private tour, then you can hire a private cab/taxi. Click here to get taxi fare in Varanasi

What not to do at Jantar-Mantar of Varanasi :

One must not tease monkeys abundant there as there is single exit-cum-entrance. Monkey menace is a result of expanding urbanization and destruction of places for monkeys at Ghats of Varanasi. Though monkeys rarely harm tourists and the observatory keepers are vigilant it may land you in problem.

History of Jantar Mantar of Varanasi :

Jantar-Mantar of Varanasi was built in 1737 AD on Dashashwamedh Ghat on the western bank of the holy River Ganges. It was built by the Sawai King Jai Singh from Jaipur. He erected such structures, Jantar Mantar in five cities (from 1727 to 1734) Delhi, Jaipur , Mathura and Ujjain besides Varanasi. Many old and attractive scientific instruments are there to record the accurate motion, speed as well as well as movement of the stars, planets and cosmic bodies. While watching these instruments one should bear in mind that these instruments are of 16th century when such scientific advancement was unknown to the world. These wonderful instruments are our historical heritage and inspiration for future advancement and must be preserved. It is said that craving of King Jai Singh led him to construct such a building.

Some of the Instruments and their use at Jantar Mantar :

The instruments that are still present at Jantar Mantar are

• Narivalaya dakshin and uttar gola are used to get the exact location of the stars means whether they are in the Northern or Southern hemisphere.
• Dhruva Yantra,
• Ram Yantra,
• Krantivritta Yantra,
• Prakash Yantra,
• Disha Yantra
• Chakra Yantra- Chakra Yantrais used to get the real declination of stars such as Sun, Moon as well as their distance in time on the meridian.
• Samrat Yantra &Laghu Samrat Yantra
• Samrat Yantra and Laghu Samrat Yantra are used to get time, declination and hour angle of the stars.
• Digansa Yantra- Digansa Yantra is used to find the horizontal angle of the stars.
• Dakshin obiti Yantra is used to know the altitude of the stars on the meridian.