Man Singh Observatory is located roughly about five kilometers from the Varanasi railway station, on the western bank of River Ganga. The observatory is famous as a masonry observatory. The astronomical observatory consists of many major geometric devices for measuring time, preparing the lunar and solar calendar, and observing the positions of stars, planets, and other heavenly bodies.
Prime instruments within the observatory are the Samrat Yantra, the Digamsa Yantra, the Nadivalaya Yantra, the Chakra Yantra, and Dakshinottara Bhitti Yantra.
The sole purpose of Man Singh Observatory which is also known as Jantar Mantar to the calculated time. The observatory is one of the five observatories built by Maharaja Jai Singh II. He had five observatories constructed in Jaipur, Mathura, New Delhi, Ujjain, and Varanasi. A steep staircase leads to the top where you can find painted ceiling and palatial stone windows which can be opened out to large balconies.
Meant for preparing the lunar and solar calendar, calculating time and studying the movements, angles of inclination, distances of the stars, planets, and other heavenly bodies, these apparatuses are believed to have given vital information in the past times.
The spacious terraces give a beautiful and delightful view of the holy river Ganga. The observatory stands as a testimony to the century-old knowledge of our forefathers.
History of Man Singh Observatory
Situated adjacent to the famous Dashashvamedh ghat in Varanasi, the popular palace Man Mahal is commonly called Man Mandir and is situated on the western bank of river Ganga.
A stunning instance of Man Singh Palace (science and astronomy) architecture, the citadel has balconied stone windows and wonderfully decorated ceiling. The fortress is said to have been built in around 1600 A.D. by Man Singh II; he sent his scholars to several countries to study design, construction, and technology of the observatories and also the prevalent technology. The scholars returned with their observations and many manuals on astronomy, and he built almost five Observatory in Jaipur, Mathura, New Delhi, Ujjain, and Varanasi.
Primarily famed for its masonry observatory, the Man Singh II Observatory was added to the palace in around 1737 A.D by Sawai Jai Singh II, who was a great astronomer, and the founder of Jaipur city and a successor of Raja Man Singh.
Famed for inventing a varied number of tables, instruments, and formulae, Sawai Jai Singh II even built five masonry observatories situated at Delhi, Ujjain, Jaipur, Varanasi, and Mathura. Jagannath, an astronomer, prepared the plan of the observatory in the palace of Man Mahal and an architect named Sardar Mohan from Jaipur, who worked under the vigil and guidance of Sadashiva, accomplished his work.
How to Reach
- Nearest Airport: Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport
- Nearest Railway Station: Varanasi Junction Railway Station
- Nearest Bus Station: Kashi Bus Depot
Opening Hours
- Opening Time: 10:00:00 am
- Closing Time: 06:00:00 pm
Ticket Information
- Indian Visitor: INR 20
- Foreigner Visitor: INR 250
- Saarc Visitor: INR 20
- Bimstec Visitor: INR 20
Things to see
- Shri Kashi Vishwanath Temple, also known as the Golden Temple of Varanasi.
- Dashashwamedha Ghat in Varanasi’s liveliest, oldest, and the most colorful ghat.
- The terraces that give a beautiful view of the holy river Ganga.