Jantar Mantar, Delhi - An Ancient Astronomical Observatory

Delhi, DelhiHERITAGE SITE

An 18th-century astronomical observatory with massive, functional instruments used to measure time and track celestial bodies.

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HERITAGE SITE

Info

1-2 hours

Accessibility

Not Wheelchair Friendly

Parking

No Parking

Photography

No Photography

About the Destination

Overview

Jantar Mantar in Delhi is an open-air astronomical observatory comprising 13 large-scale masonry instruments. Constructed in the 18th century, this site feels like a park filled with giant, abstract sculptures. However, each structure is a precision tool designed to observe celestial positions with the naked eye. As you walk through the grounds, you'll encounter massive instruments like the Samrat Yantra, a huge sundial that can tell the time with an accuracy of two seconds. The other key structures are the Ram Yantra, Jayaprakash Yantra, and Misra Yantra, each designed for specific astronomical calculations, such as tracking stars and predicting eclipses.

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Location & Address

Sansad Marg, Connaught Place, New Delhi, Delhi 110001, Connaught Place, Delhi, Delhi, India

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Best Time to Visit

The ideal time to visit is from October to March, when Delhi's weather is cool and pleasant. A visit on a clear sunny day is essential to see how the instruments work with sunlight and shadows. Avoid the summer months of April to June due to extreme heat (over 40°C), which makes exploring the open-air site uncomfortable. The monsoon season (July to September) can also disrupt a visit, although the site remains open.
Peak Crowd: November to February, particularly on weekends and public holidays, due to peak tourist season and pleasant weather.
Moderate Crowd: October, March, and weekday afternoons. School groups often visit during these times.
Low Crowd: April to June because of the intense summer heat, and during the monsoon months from July to September.

How to Reach

Air

Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL) is the nearest airport, located about 15 km away. A taxi or the Airport Express Metro line can get you to the city center in 40-60 minutes.

Train

New Delhi Railway Station (NDLS) is the closest major railhead, just 2 km away. Old Delhi Railway Station (DLI) is 5 km away. Both stations have good connectivity to the rest of the country and local transport options like metro, autos, and taxis.

Road

Jantar Mantar is situated on Sansad Marg in Central Delhi and is easily accessible by road from all parts of Delhi and the National Capital Region (NCR). Inter-state buses terminate at ISBT Kashmere Gate, from where you can take the metro or a taxi.

Local Transport

The Delhi Metro is the most convenient way to travel. Auto-rickshaws and cycle-rickshaws are available for short distances. Ride-hailing apps like Ola and Uber are widely used. DTC buses offer an extensive and affordable network across the city.