- Location: Rajasthan
- Built by: Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II in the 18th century,
- What is it? : It is an astronomical observatory featuring 19 architectural instruments.
- Purpose
- Designed for naked-eye astronomical observations.
- Used to measure time, predict eclipses, track stars, determine celestial altitudes, and calculate other astronomical data.
- Main Structures and Instruments: Comprises 19 architectural astronomical instruments. Important instruments include:
- Samrat Yantra: The world’s largest stone sundial, 27 meters high.
- Jai Prakash Yantra: Two hemispherical instruments for observing the positions of celestial bodies.
- Rama Yantra: Used to measure the altitude and azimuth of celestial objects.
- Narivalaya Yantra, Dakshin Bhitti Yantra, among others.
- Architecture: Combines Ptolemaic positional astronomy with local architectural traditions.
