Today, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron are set to visit the historic Jantar Mantar in Jaipur. This visit holds special significance as Mr. Macron is the Chief Guest for the 75th Republic Day celebrations, which he will join in New Delhi tomorrow.
Jantar Mantar, a term that translates to “instruments for measuring the harmony of the heavens,” stands as a renowned solar observatory with deep historical roots. Established by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh, this remarkable site was honored with the distinction of being declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in July 2010.
This architectural marvel is not just a testament to India’s historical prowess but also showcases the country’s scientific advancement centuries before gaining independence. Comprising a set of eighteen instruments, Jantar Mantar in Jaipur is recognized as the largest stone observatory globally.
Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II of Jaipur initiated the construction of five such monuments, with the Jantar Mantars in Jaipur, Delhi (built in 1724), Ujjain, Varanasi, and Mathura. These observatories served as tools for astronomical observations and measurements.
Now, let’s delve into the details of the Jantar Mantar in Jaipur and the fascinating Laghu Samrat Yantra, a key feature of this celestial complex. The Laghu Samrat Yantra, essentially a Sun Dial, plays a pivotal role in calibrating local time with remarkable precision, achieving accuracy up to 20 seconds.
The Sun Dial consists of a triangular wall aligned in a north-south direction, adorned with quadrants on either side. The movement of the shadow cast by the wall, which progresses at equal distances within equal time intervals on the quadrants, is calibrated to determine the local time.
The western and eastern quadrants are intricately divided into sub-divisions, each representing a span of 6 hours for the morning and afternoon segments, respectively. Further refinement occurs with each hour being divided into four fifteen-minute divisions, subsequently subdivided into five-minute and one-minute divisions. Impressively, each one-minute division is further subdivided into three segments of 20 seconds each.
The Sun Dial at Jantar Mantar is instrumental in determining the Sun’s position in the hemispheres. Its design incorporates two distinct parts, one portraying the Sun’s position in the northern hemisphere (March to September) and the other depicting the Sun’s position in the southern hemisphere (September to March).
As Prime Minister Modi and President Macron explore the intricacies of Jantar Mantar, they engage not only with architectural brilliance but also with a living testament to India’s scientific acumen from centuries past. The visit symbolizes a convergence of history, astronomy, and the vibrant cultural heritage that defines this iconic site in Jaipur.
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