Jantar Mantar: the world of stone observatories

What is a Jantar Mantar? The extraordinary series of Stone Observatories, Jantar Mantars were created and built by Sawa Jai Singh II (1688 – 1744). Jantar Mantar translated means Instrument Calculation and refers to the functions of the instruments for astronomical measurements documenting the heavens based upon the principles of Galileo. The Jaipur site, the largest of the four existing Jantar Mantars has 18 instruments and contains the largest sundial in the World. 

Richard Cox will be presenting photographs taken, for the most part, from Jaipur. There will also be brief references to the JMs in Delhi (the first observatory to be built) and in the holy city of Ujjain.

This is a joint collaboration between Visual Arts and Hershel Astronomy, and will be supported by Professor Mike Edmunds, current president of the Royal Astronomical Society, who will bring his astronomical interest in this area.