Jaipur, Pink City of India, has made it to UNESCO’s World Heritage sites list. One of the most important cities for travellers, visitors, explorers and art lovers, Jaipur has a lot of hues for travellers and attracts tourists from all over the world. It is one of the most historically rich cities in the state, and its status as a UNESCO World Heritage Site will further strengthen its position on the world map.
Indian PM Narendra Modi also took to Twitter to express his happiness, “Jaipur is a city associated with culture and valour. Elegant and energetic, Jaipur’s hospitality draws people from all over. Glad that this city has been inscribed as a World Heritage Site by @UNESCO”.
Founded in the 17th century by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II, it is a treasure trove of heritage sites and cultural landmarks. Jantar Mantar and The Amber fort are the two iconic tourist spot declared as UNESCO world heritage site.
Jantar Mantar is one of the oldest astronomical observatories featuring the world’s largest stone sundial, located in the heart of Jaipur. It is no longer a working science centre but is maintained as a monument, and education activity sessions, guided tours and music and light shows are organized here. Jantar Mantar in Jaipur is one of the largest observatories in the world, comprising of remarkable stone assemblies that help to interpret the position of celestial bodies and calculate local time. Enumerated as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, Jantar Mantar attracts tourists, historians, astronomers, architects, mathematicians, and geographers. The collection of nineteen astronomical instruments in Jantar Mantar allows the observation of astronomical positions with the naked eye. The monument is an exemplification of architectural innovations that was built on ideas from different religious and social beliefs in 18th-century India.
The Jantar Mantar is an observatory comprising of 19 instruments to measure the position and distances of celestial bodies. These 19 instruments are structures carved out of stone, depicting interesting geometric shapes.
Popular structures inside the monument-
Vrihat Smarat Yantra
Vrihat Smarat Yantra is a huge sun dial at the centre of Jantar Mantar observatory. This 27m long structure is the tallest sundial in the world. ‘Samrat Yantra’ meaning ‘supreme instrument’ is an equinoctial sundial and calculates time up to the accuracy of two seconds.
Laghu Smarat Yantra
Popularly known as the small Smarat Yantra, this instrument is smaller in size, and measures the local time up to the accuracy of twenty seconds. The ramp of this sundial points towards the North Pole, so the local time in Jaipur can be easily calculated by measuring the position of ramp’s shadow on the divisions of the carved scale.
Ram Yantra
Ram Yantra measures the elevation and azimuth of Sun and planets, and consists of a pair of tube- shaped structures, open to the sky. Each tube-shaped structure has a pole of equal height at the centre. Scales indicating angles of altitude and azimuth of the celestial bodies are inscribed inside the walls of these structures. Ram Yantra is only found in Jantar Mantar of Jaipur and New Delhi.
Jaya Prakash Yantra
This yantra includes two hemispherical bowls like sundials with graded marble slabs. The elevation, azimuth, hour angles and exact position of heavenly bodies are detected using the inverted image of the sky, and the movement of the inverted shadows on the slabs.
Chakra Yantra
The chakra yantra as the name suggests is a ring instrument that measures the co-ordinates and the hour angle of Sun.
Digamsa
Digamsa is a pillar-like structure in the middle of two concentric outer circles, which is used to predict the sunrise and sunset timings in a day.
Nadivalaya
Consisting of a pair of circular plates, facing north and south, Nadivalaya symbolizes the two hemispheres of Earth.
Karnti Vritya
Karnti Vritya is a special instrument used to measure the solar sign of the Sun in daytime.
The Amber Fort, besides its historic significance of being the erstwhile residence of the Kachhawa Kings of Jaipur, Amer Fort is also bejewelled with astonishing architectural prowess. Constructed in the 16th century, this red sandstone hill-fort (also a UNESCO world heritage site!) still stands tall and greets visitors with its proud legacy.
One of the top tourist attractions of Jaipur, the huge Amer Palace Fort sits atop a small hill, and is located at a distance about 11 km from the main city. The magnificent Amer Fort is an extensive palace complex that has been built with pale yellow and pink sandstone, and with white marble. The fort is divided into four main sections that are graced with their own courtyards.
There are a lot of attractions for one to see at the Amer Fort, including the diwan-e-aam, such mandir, and the Sheesh Mahal. Amer Fort is also home to some underground tunnels that connect Amer to Jaigarh Fort. A part of these tunnels has been restored, and is now open to public as well. Encompassing all this, the Amer Fort is a perfect example of Rajasthani architecture which is a must-visit. The essence of Amer Fort is encapsulated by the beautiful light and sound show within the fort, where visitors get to see an astounding spectacle about the history of the fort.
This magnificent fort comprises an extensive palace complex, built from pale yellow and pink sandstone, and white marble, and is divided into four main sections, each with its own courtyard. It is possible to visit the fortress on elephant back, but animal welfare groups have criticized the keeping of elephants at Amber because of reports of abuse, and because carrying passengers can cause lasting injuries to the animals. As we arrive at the Amer Fort, we will enter through the Suraj Pol; unless we arrive by car, then we enter via the Chand Pol. Both these gates open into the Jalebi Chowk, which is the main courtyard, where in earlier times, returning armies used to display their plunder to the people. The fort has a number of sections, including the King’s quarters, the zenana (where the women lived), gardens, temples, etc.
The essence of Amer Fort is encapsulated by the beautiful light and sound show within the fort, where visitors get to see an astounding spectacle about the history of the fort.