The Unesco has declared Jaipur’s Jantar Mantar as a World Heritage Site. The decision to declare Jantar Mantar as World Heritage Site was taken on Saturday night at a high-level meeting of Unesco officials in Brazil.
India’s Archaeological Survey of India had submitted a request to the Unesco in 2009 to give the monument a heritage site status. “It is a big boost to our efforts to preserve such valuable heritage sites,” said Rajasthan tourism minister Bina Kak.
India has five such observatories in Delhi, Jaipur, Ujjain, Varansi and Mathura, but Jaiupr’s Jantar Mantar is the best preserved.
“We have spent over Rs 3.50 crores on renovation and conservation of the Jantar Mantar,” said Ms Kak. Every year over seven lakh tourists from across India and abroad visit the site. The observatory was built in early 18th century by Swai Jai Singh.
Jaipur’s stone observatory is largest among the five remarkable observatories built by Swai Jai Singh. The complex has instruments, which are scientifically designed and represent the high points of medieval Indian astronomy.
One of the such astronomical instrument known as “Smrat Yantra” is largest equinoctial sun dial in the world.
Astrologers gather here every year during the month of Ashadha of the Hindu calendar at to make a weather prediction.
This year, a group of astrologers and religious scholars assembled last week at the observatory and predicted good rains.
“It is more accurate than today’s modern science in forecasting rains,” said Vinod Sharma, head of astrology at the Sanskrit University in Jaipur.
The tourism department rejoiced over the declaration of the Jantar Mantar a World Heritage Site. Musicians were playing welcome songs at the Jantar Mantar while sweets were distributed.
‘’Not just the Jantar Mantar, but whole walled city of Jaipur should be declared as heritage site,” said Charley, a tourist from the UK.