An 18th-century observatory of giant stone instruments —. The world's largest sundial.
Jantar Mantar, Jaipur is in Jaipur. Entry is ₹50 for Indian visitors. It opens about 9:00 am to 4:30 pm. Open all week. The best time is Midday. When the sundials cast their sharpest shadows. Hire a guide.
| Key fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Built | around 1734 |
| Built by | Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II |
| Feature | Vrihat Samrat Yantra sundial |
| Status | UNESCO World Heritage Site |
| Location | Old city, beside the City Palace |
Jantar Mantar is an open-air observatory built. By the astronomer-king Sawai Jai Singh II around 1734. Its nineteen large masonry instruments still measure time. Track the sun and map the stars.
The Vrihat Samrat Yantra is the world's largest stone sundial. Tells local time to within two seconds. The site is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Sits right beside the City Palace.
Sources: Rajasthan Tourism · Jantar Mantar — Wikipedia · UNESCO — The Jantar Mantar.
What makes it special, and what to look for.
Key facts and figures — every data point links to its source.
| Detail | Figure | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Built | 1728–1734, by Jai Singh II | Wikipedia |
| Instruments | 19 | Wikipedia |
| Area | 1.87 ha (4.6 acres) | Wikipedia |
| Samrat Yantra height | 27 m (88 ft) | Wikipedia |
| Samrat Yantra | World's largest stone sundial | Wikipedia |
| Time accuracy | to about 2 seconds | Wikipedia |
| National monument | 1948 | Wikipedia |
| UNESCO listing | 2010 (Ref. 1338) | UNESCO |
| Restored | 1876 and 1901 | Wikipedia |
| Yantra Raj | 2.43 m bronze astrolabe | Wikipedia |
| Shadow moves | about 1 mm a second | Wikipedia |
| One of | five Jai Singh observatories | Wikipedia |
| Instruments | in masonry & bronze | Wikipedia |
| Purpose | precise calendars | Wikipedia |
| Largest | the Samrat sundial | Wikipedia |
| Meaning | calculating instrument | Wikipedia |
| Built by | an astronomer-king | Wikipedia |
| Reads | time, stars and seasons | Wikipedia |
Jai Singh II built it from 1728. It holds 19 astronomical instruments. They are fixed in masonry and bronze.
The Samrat Yantra is a giant sundial. It rises 27 metres high. It is the world's largest in stone.
Its shadow moves visibly each minute. It tells local time to two seconds. The site spans about 4.6 acres.
It became a national monument in 1948. UNESCO listed it in 2010. It is Jai Singh's finest observatory.
Jai Singh built five such observatories. This Jaipur one is the largest. It is also the best preserved.
Its instruments still work today. The great sundial keeps fine time. Shadows creep a millimetre a second.
Jai Singh was a keen astronomer. He built tools to chart the sky. They fixed times and calendars.
The name means calculating instrument. Jai Singh built it to read the sky. Stone and bronze form its tools.
Each device has a clear purpose. Some tell time; some track stars. The great sundial is astonishing.
It still works three centuries on. The shadow marks the true local time. It is a monument to curiosity.
Sources: Rajasthan Tourism · Jantar Mantar — Wikipedia · UNESCO — The Jantar Mantar.
Room by room, and detail by detail.
Sources: Rajasthan Tourism · Jantar Mantar — Wikipedia · UNESCO — The Jantar Mantar.
| When | What happened |
|---|---|
| 1728 | Construction begins. |
| 1734 | The observatory is completed. |
| 1948 | It is declared a national monument. |
| 2010 | UNESCO inscribes it. |
| 1901 | Restored under Madho Singh II. |
Sources: Rajasthan Tourism · Jantar Mantar — Wikipedia · UNESCO — The Jantar Mantar.
Fees and timings change from time to time. Confirm on the official site before you go.
| Visitor | Ticket |
|---|---|
| Indian | ₹50 |
| Indian student | ₹20 |
| Foreign tourist | ₹200 |
| Foreign student | ₹100 |
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Opening hours | About 9:00 AM to 4:30 PM. |
| Weekly closing | Open all week. |
| Best time to visit | Midday, when the sundials cast their sharpest shadows. Hire a guide. |
| How long to allow | One to two hours suits most visits. |
Sources: Rajasthan Tourism · Jantar Mantar — Wikipedia · UNESCO — The Jantar Mantar.
| Detail | |
|---|---|
| Location | Beside the City Palace, old city |
| Metro | Pink Line to Badi Chaupar, then a short walk |
| Mode | Best for | Book / source |
|---|---|---|
| ✈️ Air | Reaching Jaipur from afar | IndiGo |
| 🚆 Rail | Trains across India | IRCTC |
| 🚕 Taxi / app cab | Door-to-door comfort | Uber / Ola |
| 🛺 Auto-rickshaw | Short local hops | meter / app |
Plan around India's seasons. Midday, when the sundials cast their sharpest shadows. Hire a guide.
| Season | Weather | Verdict |
|---|---|---|
| 🍂 Oct–Mar | Cool, dry, pleasant | Best time to visit |
| ☀️ Apr–Jun | Hot on the plains | Go early; carry water |
| 🌧️ Jul–Sep | Warm, monsoon showers | Fewer crowds, green views |
Base yourself in Jaipur to visit with ease. It has stays for every budget. Book ahead in the cool season. Compare hotels on Booking.com. Find homes on Airbnb. See our Jaipur guide for the best areas.
The instruments make little sense without one.
Shadows are sharpest in the middle of the day.
Arrive at opening time. You beat crowds, and heat.
A good guide brings the history alive.
Shade can be limited here.
| Item | Typical cost |
|---|---|
| 🎫 Entry (Indian) | ₹50 |
| 🎫 Entry (foreign) | ₹100 |
| 🧑🏫 Local guide | ₹300–800 for a tour |
| 📷 Camera / video | Often a small extra fee |
| 🚕 Transport | ₹100–500 by auto or cab |
Costs are indicative. Confirm official rates on site.
Pair Jantar Mantar, Jaipur with sights close by. Together they make a full, rewarding day. Start early to beat the crowds and heat.
Indian visitors pay ₹50 and foreign visitors ₹200.
It is open daily from about 9 AM to 4:30 PM.
Its giant stone instruments, including the world's largest stone sundial.
The astronomer-king Sawai Jai Singh II, around 1734.
Yes — the instruments are fascinating. Hard to understand alone.
Location: Beside the City Palace. Old city; Metro: Pink Line to Badi Chaupar. Then a short walk.
Midday, when the sundials cast their sharpest shadows. Hire a guide.
Yes. An 18th-century observatory of giant stone instruments —. The world's largest sundial.
You can also visit City Palace, Hawa Mahal, Jaipur guide.
Stay in Jaipur. See our Jaipur guide.
Keep exploring around Jaipur.
