Astronomical Observatory
Jantar Mantar
A remarkable collection of monumental astronomical instruments, built to read the movement of the sun, planets and stars with extraordinary precision.
About Jantar Mantar
Sawai Jai Singh II, Jaipur's founder, was a serious astronomer, and between 1728 and 1734 he built this observatory beside his palace, the largest of five he built across north India. Its nineteen instruments are measurement at the scale of architecture: masonry dials, quadrants and sunken bowls built to track the sun, tell the time and plot the positions of stars and planets.
The best known is the Samrat Yantra, a sundial whose triangular gnomon rises about 27 metres. Its shadow moves visibly across the dial and gives local time to within a couple of seconds. The observatory has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2010.
Jantar Mantar At A Glance
- Location
- Walled City, Jaipur
- Type
- Astronomical Observatory
- Heritage Status
- UNESCO World Heritage
- UNESCO
- World Heritage Site
- Entry
- ₹200 foreign nationals · ₹50 Indian citizens
Know Before You Go
Timings
9:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Weekly closed: Open all days
Online Booking
Yes — Rajasthan Tourism OBMS portal
Restrictions
Do not climb on the astronomical instruments; tripod needs permission
Washrooms
Available near entrance
UNESCO World Heritage Site; astronomical observatory
Good To Know
Visiting Jantar Mantar
Do I need a guide at Jantar Mantar?
- It helps a great deal. Without one, the instruments look like abstract sculpture; a guide shows you how each is read and what it measured.
When is the best time to visit?
- On a sunny morning or early afternoon, when the shadows are sharp enough to see the instruments at work.
Is Jantar Mantar a UNESCO World Heritage Site?
- Yes — Jantar Mantar is part of a UNESCO World Heritage listing.
What is the Jantar Mantar entry fee?
- ₹200 foreign nationals, ₹50 Indian citizens. Tickets for the sites on your route can be included in your trip estimate.
What are the Jantar Mantar timings?
- 9:00 AM – 4:30 PM. Open every day of the week.
Can I book Jantar Mantar tickets online?
- Yes — Rajasthan Tourism OBMS portal.
Nearby
More To See In Jaipur
Tours
Tours That Visit Jaipur
Ready-made routes through Jaipur — each one can be adjusted to fit Jantar Mantar in.
Ready To Plan Jaipur?
Tell us your dates and pace, and we'll fit Jantar Mantar into an itemised Jaipur plan, priced in your currency.