Jantar Mantar in Ujjain, also known as Vedh Shala, is one of the five ancient astronomical observatories built by Maharaja Jai Singh II in the early 18th century. Located on the Tropic of Cancer line, it stands as a testament to India’s rich scientific and astronomical heritage.
Constructed around 1725, the Ujjain observatory was strategically chosen due to the city’s geographical and mythological significance. Ujjain has long been considered the Greenwich of ancient India, as it lies on the prime meridian used in Hindu astronomy. The observatory was used to study the movement of celestial bodies, calculate time, predict eclipses, and understand planetary positions.
Jantar Mantar houses several unique and precisely crafted instruments made from brick and stone. These include the Samrat Yantra (used to measure time with great accuracy), Nadi Valaya Yantra (for determining the sun’s position), and Digansh Yantra (used to measure the azimuth of a celestial body). All instruments were designed for direct observation without the aid of modern telescopes.
Even centuries later, the instruments at Jantar Mantar continue to function accurately and are used for educational and research purposes. The observatory reflects the advanced knowledge of astronomy, mathematics, and engineering that ancient India possessed.
Today, Jantar Mantar is not just a scientific monument but also a popular tourist attraction and educational site that inspires curiosity about the universe and India’s scientific legacy.