Jantar Mantar - New Delhi

By -
Site Name: Jantar Mantar
Site Type: Astronomical Observatory
Location:  New Delhi, India
Highlights: One of the five astronomical observatories built by Maharaja Jai Singh
Nearest Railway Station: Delhi
Nearest Airport: Delhi
How to reach: Well connected by road, rail and air
Hotel: A lot of options are available within Delhi city
Restaurants: Many options and varieties across the city

New Delhi, the capital city of India, has a lot of important tourist sites. Some of them are religious sites whereas many of them are historical places and monuments. There are even parks, gardens and malls. Out of all these places of interest, Jantar Mantar alone stands as a unique site. It is one of the five astronomical observatories constructed by Maharaja Jai Singh II of Jaipur in the beginning of 18th century AD.


Jantar Mantar means 'instrument and formula'. The Mughal emperor Muhammad Shah gave him the task of revising the calendar and astronomical tables. The king Jai Singh, who was a great astronomer, built five astronomical observatories across central and north India. All those structures are called as 'Jantar Mantar'. The one found in New Delhi was built in 1724 AD.




The observatory in New Delhi has four distinct instruments - Samrat Yantra, Ram Yantra, Jayaprakas and Mishra Yantra.


The Samrat Yantra is the supreme instrument in this structure. It is a giant triangle. It is meant for measuring declination and other related coordinates of various heavenly bodies. The Jayaprakash Yantra can be used to align the position of a star with various markings. The Mishra yantra can indicate when it is noon in various cities all over the world.


Although it is difficult for a common man to understand the purpose of these instruments, Jantar Mantar has become an important picnic spot for the common Delhi citizens. It is one of the frequently visites sites in the city.


Happy travelling.



View Larger Map

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

The Tallest Murugan of Chennai

By -
Image
Consecrated in March 2021, the 40 feet high Bala Murugan icon at Saveetha Medical College campus is the tallest image of Murugan in Chennai. Malaysia has 140 feet tall Murugan. In April 2022, the 146 feet tall image of Murugan was consecrated near Salem in Tamil Nadu. However, they are all stucco images. But, the one that we find on the college campus is a monolithic granite icon. Thus, it is the tallest stone icon of Murugan in the entire world. A stone weighing 320 tonnes was brought from Siruvambur near Wallajah, and it was carved to 140 tonnes to get this beautiful and gigantic sculpture. The entire temple complex is designed in the shape of the Devanagiri letter "Om", which can be appreciated in the aerial view.  The west-facing gigantic sculpture is located atop the star-shaped pedestal. It dominates the entire landscape. A large meditation hall is situated below the pedestal. On the open corridor in front of the presiding deity, smaller shrines are found. They enshrine...
Read more

Little known Nimishamba Temple of Chennai

By -
Image
Site Name:  Nimishamba Temple Site Type:  Hindu Temple Location:   Kasi Chetty Street, Sowcarpet, Chennai city, Tamil Nadu state, India Highlights:   A rare temple of Nimishamba in Chennai city Nearest Railway Station:   Chennai - well connected from the cities/towns all over India Nearest Airport:   Chennai has both national and international airports How to reach:   Easily reachable by road as this is centrally located in the city Hotel:  Many star hotels, luxury hotels/resorts, and budget hotels are available in Chennai Restaurants:  All options - vegetarian, non-vegetarian, Chinese, South Indian, Gujarati, North Indian, Punjabi,....- you can find everything in Chennai city Chennai is considered as the gateway to South India. The capital city of Tamil Nadu state of India has hundreds of tourist sites which include museum, British period monuments, temples, beach, etc. Let us explore a little known temple called Nimisham...
Read more

Hastinapuram Navapashanam Murugan Temple

By -
Image
Navapashanam is an amalgam of nine poisonous herbs. It is said to act as a remedy for all types of diseases. It is believed that the Siddhas knew the secret formula to prepare this medicinal potion.  The sculpture of Murugan from the famous Palani is claimed to be made of Navapashanam. Similarly, there is a lesser-known temple near Chennai, which has a Navapashanam Murugan. In Hastinapuram near Chrompet in the southern outskirts of Chennai, in a congested lane called Masjid Street, this tiny temple of Bala Murugan is situated. Murugan, made of Navapashanam, is the presiding deity.  Jalakandeeswara Linga, Meenakshi, and the Siddha who found this temple are the other Murtis found in the temple. Happy travelling.
Read more