It may sound like a hipster cocktail bar that doesn’t take itself too seriously, but Jantar Mantar is, in fact, one of the world’s oldest observatories.
Built in 1734, on the orders of Sawai Jai Singh II, its name means ‘instruments for measuring the harmony of the heavens’ – which adds a certain romance to the 19 monumental objects built to allow the sun, moon and stars to be observed with the naked eye.
Set within a creamy pavilion surrounded by gardens, this UNESCO World Heritage site is beautifully located next to City Palace and surrounded by craggy mountains. The area is unspoiled by modern influences, so when you retreat into Jantar Mantar from the busy city, it feels as if you’re stepping back in time.
The site’s 18th -century architects realised that to measure the movement of celestial bodies accurately they would need big structures – and they designed and built some pretty impressive stuff.
Not only are Jantar Mantar’s structures unusual and beautiful, but they are also testament to India’s rich history of scientific achievement. Their sheer awe-inspiring size and purpose can only be fully appreciated when you get up close and personal – these instruments are, in all senses, astronomical!