Although the instruments of the Jantar Mantar are generally not used any longer to predict the movement and timings of the sun, moon, and planets, they could be. But you don’t need to be a science or mathematics enthusiast to be amazed by these enormous and photogenic instruments. Plus, the peaceful park makes a nice break from busy Connaught Place just outside.
Many travelers visit the Jantar Mantar independently, as it’s conveniently located near the outer circle of Connaught Place, in central New Delhi. Other travelers visit on guided tours, alongside other nearby attractions like the Gurudwara Bangla Sahib and Connaught Place.
The Jantar Mantar is on Sansad Marg, one of the long avenues that radiates out from Connaught Place. Unless you’re on a guided tour, the metro is the best way of getting around Delhi, as it’s efficient, clean, cheap, air-conditioned, and saves the risk of getting stuck in traffic. The nearest stations to the Jantar Mantar are Janpath (Violet Line) or Patel Chowk (Yellow Line). If you’re already at Connaught Place, the Jantar Mantar is an easy walk southwest.
The Jantar Mantar is open from early morning until evening. As it’s outdoors, avoid visiting in the heat of the day between March and October, or when it’s raining.
Delhi’s Jantar Mantar is just one of five similar constructions around the country. The others are in Jaipur, Ujjain, Varanasi, and Mathura. Jaipur is an especially popular destination with travelers to India, and the Jantar Mantar in the Rajasthani city is bigger and in better condition than the one in Delhi. It also gets many more visitors, so doesn’t have the same peaceful feeling as Delhi’s Jantar Mantar.
