Facts that Wikipedia Can’t Unfurl About Jantar Mantar

This blog is crafted especially for those who may not have the opportunity to visit Jantar Mantar. Through this blog, we will provide insightful glimpses into the wonders of this historical site. The facts presented here will enrich your knowledge and distinguish you from your friends’ group.

Before the advent of clocks and watches, sundials were employed for timekeeping and the selection of auspicious occasions based on the movements of celestial bodies. These sundials were instrumental in the creation of astronomical tables.

Constructed between 1724 and 1735 by Maharaja Jai Singh II, the five Jantar Mantars are situated in New Delhi, Jaipur, Ujjain, Mathura and Varanasi. Among these, the Jaipur observatory stands out as the largest and holds the distinction of being a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Brihat Samrat Yantra in Jantar Mantar, Jaipur stands as the world’s largest sundial. It estimates the local time with an accuracy of two seconds. Jantar Mantar, Jaipur also features many other instruments such as Laghu Samrat Yantra, Jai Prakash Yantra, Niyati Chakra Yantra and Rama Yantra, each serving distinct purposes in astronomical calculations.

During our visit to Jantar Mantar, we were engaged in an activity in which we crafted a sundial by hand. The sundial we created functioned flawlessly, and we take pride in the excellent job we accomplished. After exploring the various instruments, we headed to the canteen inside the premises, where we were served delicious food. As we were about to leave, we were interrupted by a puppeteer. He was gathering people to witness his puppet show. It was actually a trio of puppeteers, in which two played music, while the third skillfully manipulated the puppets. The puppet show featured three puppets, who were presented as Anarkali, Michael Jackson and the snake charmer. Through their exceptional skills, the benevolent puppeteers filled the show with humour. The show included a mix of traditional Rajasthani songs and unexpected English tunes, creating a comical twist to the experience. The puppet show left us in such high spirits that we found it difficult to leave the venue.

In the end, all we can say is that Jantar Mantar is truly awesome, and we would highly recommend it. A visit to this site will not only enhance your general knowledge but also provide valuable insights into history.

Writen By Arjun Arora & Sidakbir Singh (DELHI PUBLIC SCHOOL, VASANT KUNJ).

__

EdTerra Edventures conducts various other programs for the youth. If you go to school and are under 17 years of age, ask your school to contact us to arrange a visit to your school for an introduction to “Jaipur – Make an Impression” and other journeys under EdTerra’s India Discovery Program.

For queries call +91-11-48885800 or visit EdTerra Browse Journeys page to know more about the programs for school students. Visit our FB page by clicking HERE. Also, check our podcast page by clicking HERE.