Uncover Jaipur's Ancient Astrological Instruments at World Heritage Site Jantar Mantar
Occupying pride of place among Jaipur's historical and religious points of interest the Jantar Mantar site is often described as the best preserved and largest ancient cosmological calculation instrument in India. As the signature ancient astronomical instrument collection in the country this UNESCO World Heritage Site is a must-see highlight for astrology enthusiasts and architecture buffs touring breathtaking Jaipur. Built in the period between 1727-1734 by Maharaja Jai Singh II this Moghal era calculation apparatus lies sprawled across an expansive area containing more than 18 fixed calculation instruments designed to observe and calculate astronomical movements with the naked eye. As the country's most comprehensive ancient observatory the venue also encompasses a religious significance as astrologers or Jotisya practitioners used the mathematical calculations made through the planetary observation to predict and foretell fortunes, natural phenomena and other particulars pertaining to the kingdom and its future.
The devices measure a wide variety of elements including time and track locations of planets and stars while predicting eclipses and other cosmological changes such as the planetary declinations and celestial altitudes. As "fixed" tools the observatory instruments are built of metal, masonry and plates or held up on masonry foundations. Masonry instruments largely measure the movements of the sun as sundials cast the planet's shadows on a marked scale. Metal instruments on the other hand are typically employed for night time observations and mostly contain sighting tubes that can pivot to several directions. Measurements are gathered from such devices by aiming the tubes at the planets above and reading the engraved scale.
The largest of the devices dubbed the Samrat Yantra extends 90 feet into the air and serves as an ancient clock denoting the time of day. The tiny cupola positioned at the summit on the other hand is used to predict the arrival of monsoon rains and eclipses. Stone and marble structures are also among the collection of ancient observation instruments which also boast bronze tablets and are stunningly accurate when considering its centuries old construction date. Restored to its former glory in 1901 the Jantar Mantar was named a national monument in the late 1940's.
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The devices measure a wide variety of elements including time and track locations of planets and stars while predicting eclipses and other cosmological changes such as the planetary declinations and celestial altitudes. As "fixed" tools the observatory instruments are built of metal, masonry and plates or held up on masonry foundations. Masonry instruments largely measure the movements of the sun as sundials cast the planet's shadows on a marked scale. Metal instruments on the other hand are typically employed for night time observations and mostly contain sighting tubes that can pivot to several directions. Measurements are gathered from such devices by aiming the tubes at the planets above and reading the engraved scale.
The largest of the devices dubbed the Samrat Yantra extends 90 feet into the air and serves as an ancient clock denoting the time of day. The tiny cupola positioned at the summit on the other hand is used to predict the arrival of monsoon rains and eclipses. Stone and marble structures are also among the collection of ancient observation instruments which also boast bronze tablets and are stunningly accurate when considering its centuries old construction date. Restored to its former glory in 1901 the Jantar Mantar was named a national monument in the late 1940's.
Travellers on the lookout for a luxury hotels collection par excellence should look no further than the Langham Hotels for all their accommodation needs. With a string of luxury 5 star hotels to its name this elegant brand of hotels offers guests the crème de la crème in resplendent holiday packages.
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