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It is literally known as 'Instruments for measuring the harmony of the heavens. It was built between 1728 to 1734 by Jai Singh. Each instrument of this observatory is used for a particular function and gives an accurate reading. The differnt Yantras placed in clockwise at the observatory is narrated below. The Samrat Yantra is a large sundial (the triangular structure) marked with hours and minutes. The arc at the left side will show the time from sunrise to midday and the right side will show the time from midday to sunset. The time is read, where the shadow is sharpest. The sundials are constructed on latitude 270 North.
To adjust the reading to Indian standard Time (IST), between 1 minute 15 seconds to 32 minutes must be added according to the time of year and solar position. The Dhruva Yantra locates the position of 12 Zodiac signs and the Pole Star at night. The traditional unit of measurement is the human breath calculated to be of 6 seconds duration. Thus 4 breaths = 1 pala (24 seconds), 60 palas = 1 gati (24 minutes), 60 gatis = 1 day (24 hrs). The Narivalya Yantra is a sundial with two dials. The first dial facing towards south, to read time when the sun is in the south hemisphere (21 September to 21 March) and the other one is at the north facing towards the north for the rest of the year. At noon the sun falls on the north-south line and the time is read in normal way. Next is Jai Singh's seat (Observer's seat). The Kranti Yantra is used for direct measurement of the longitude and latitude of the celestial bodies. The Raj Yantra is the King of Instruments used only once in a year to calculate the Hindu calendar. The Unnsyhsmsa yantra is used for finding the altitudes of the celestial bodies and Disha yantra points to the north.
The Dakshina yantra used for observing the position and movement of heavenly bodies when passing over the meridian. The Large Samrat Yantra operates on the same principal of Samrat Yantra. However, it is ten times larger and accurate to 2 seconds instead of 20 seconds than the samrat yantra. The sundial of this yantra is 27.4 meters high hence; the observer could climb the steps to make the reading. During Guru Purnima, the holy full moon, in the month of July/August, this yantra is used to predict the length and heaviness of the monsoon for the local area. The Rashivalayas Yantra has 12 sundials for the signs of the zodiac and operated in the same way of Samrat Yantra. The instruments enable readings to be made at the instant each zodiacal sign crosses the meridian. Hindus believes that their fated souls move with the rhythms of this zodiac. The Jai Prakash Yantra act as a double check on all the other instruments. The Chakra yantra gives the angle of an object from the equator.
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