Between 1727 and 1734 Maharajah Jai Singh II of Jaipur constructed five astronomical observatories in west central India. The observatories, or “Jantar Mantars” as they are commonly known, incorporate multiple buildings of unique form, each with a specialized function for astronomical measurement. These structures with their striking combinations of geometric forms at large scale, have captivated the attention of architects, artists, and art historians world wide, yet remain largely unknown to the general public.
Jantar Mantar presents the observatories through a variety of media and information sources, making it possible to explore and learn about these historic sites through interactive panoramic “VR” photographs, time lapse sequences, and 3D models as well as articles, drawings, and historic texts. It is a comprehensive resource for exploring the observatories in depth. A “VR tour” of the Jaipur Observatory and current information about the project can be found by following the links below.
In Jairpur, the capital of the federal state Rhajasthan situated in the west of India, you will find one of the most timeless and culturally independent pieces of architecture in the world. A place of religion and science still in its own unsecularized integrity, only comparable with the witnesses in stone of the archaic cultures.