Monument – Jantar Mantar, Delhi
Built by – Maharaja Jai Singh II of Jaipur in 1724

Built in 1724 by Maharaja Jai Singh II of Jaipur, Jantar Mantar Delhi is one of the five astronomical observatories built by the king in Northern India. Its striking combinations of geometric forms have caught the attention of architects, artists and art historians worldwide.

Jantar Mantar” literally means “instruments for measuring the harmony of the heavens”. It consists of 13 architectural astronomy instruments. It was designed for the observation of astronomical positions with the naked eye. It is a part of the tradition of Ptolemaic positional astronomy, which was common in many civilisations.

The other 4 Jantar Mantar observatories are located in Ujjain, Mathura, Varanasi and Jaipur. While the purpose of the Jantar Mantar was astronomy and astrology, they are also a major tourist attraction and a significant monument to the history of astronomy.

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