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Tourist Place

Vedh Shala (Jantar Mantar) Ujjain

18th-century astronomical observatory built by Sawai Jai Singh II, with large stone instruments that still track the sun's shadow.

Plan your visit

At a Glance: Essential Visitor Information

TimingsDaytime, roughly 8 AM to 6 PM
Entry feeSmall entry fee
Time needed45–60 minutes
Best time to visitSunny days, October to March
From city centreAbout 2 km from Mahakaleshwar
PhotographyAllowed
LocationUjjain, Madhya Pradesh
Highlights

Why Visit Vedh Shala (Jantar Mantar) Ujjain?

  1. Sawai Jai Singh II

    Built around 1725–30.

  2. Working instruments

    Sundial, Nadi Valay Yantra and more.

  3. Greenwich of India

    Ujjain's role as the meridian of Indian astronomy.

Know before you go

About Vedh Shala (Jantar Mantar) Ujjain

The Vedh Shala, also called Jantar Mantar or the Jiwaji Observatory, was built by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II around 1725–30 while he was governor of Malwa. It is one of the five observatories he built, along with those in Jaipur, Delhi, Mathura and Varanasi.

Its masonry instruments, including the Samrat Yantra (sundial), Nadi Valay Yantra, Digansha Yantra and Shanku Yantra, measure local time, the sun's declination and the positions of stars and planets by the shadows they cast. Information boards in Hindi and English explain how each one works.

Make the most of your visit

Things to Do at Vedh Shala (Jantar Mantar) Ujjain

Practical experiences you can include while visiting this attraction.

  1. 1 Read the time on the Samrat Yantra
  2. 2 See how the Nadi Valay Yantra marks the hemispheres
  3. 3 Learn about Ujjain's meridian
Practical visitor guide

Plan Your Visit

Address / localityJiwaji Observatory, Chintaman Road, Jaisinghpura, Ujjain
Best time of dayLate morning, when the shadows are sharp
Peak crowdSchool holidays.
Closure / special accessOpen daily.
ParkingRoadside parking.
AccessibilityOpen grounds with some steps on instruments.
What to carryHat, water and sunglasses.
Ideal forStudents, families and science and history enthusiasts.

Facilities

Information boardsGuides at times
Before you go

Visitor Tips & Restrictions

Visitor Tips

  • Visit on a sunny day; the instruments need sunlight
  • Carry a hat in summer

Restrictions

  • Do not climb on the instruments beyond permitted areas
Getting there

How to Reach Vedh Shala (Jantar Mantar) Ujjain

Nearest railwayUjjain Junction (UJN), about 3 km.
Nearest airportDevi Ahilyabai Holkar Airport, Indore (about 53 km).
Nearest bus standDewas Gate bus stand near the railway station; Nanakheda bus stand for long-distance buses.

About 2 km from Mahakaleshwar by auto, on Chintaman Road in Jaisinghpura.

Story & significance

History & Significance of Vedh Shala (Jantar Mantar) Ujjain

Ujjain was the prime meridian of classical Indian astronomy long before the observatory was built. Sawai Jai Singh II chose the city for his first observatory, and it was later restored under the Scindias.

Special occasions

Festivals & Special Events

  • Equinoxes and solstices: interesting times to see how the instruments track the sun.
Quick answers

Frequently Asked Questions about Vedh Shala (Jantar Mantar) Ujjain

Who built the Vedh Shala?

Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II, around 1725–30.

Do the instruments still work?

Yes, they still show local time and the sun's position using shadows.

Location

Find it on the Map

Interactive map powered by OpenStreetMap.
Plan your day

Nearby Attractions to Combine with Your Visit

More places in Ujjain to see on the same trip, nearest first.

YS
≈ 1.3 km
Shri Mahakaleshwar Temple One of the twelve Jyotirlingas and Ujjain's spiritual heart, famous for its south-facing linga and the pre-dawn Bhasma Aarti. 1.3 km awayView details →
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≈ 3.6 km
Bhartrihari Caves Caves above the Shipra where the poet-king Bhartrihari is believed to have meditated after renouncing his throne. 3.6 km awayView details →
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Shri Mahakal Lok A 900-metre corridor of carved sandstone pillars, murals and statues of Shiva leading to Mahakaleshwar, spectacular when lit at night. View details →
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Harsiddhi Mata Temple One of the Shakti Peethas, near Mahakaleshwar, known for its two towering lamp pillars lit with hundreds of oil lamps. View details →
YS
Ram Ghat Ujjain Ujjain's oldest and most important bathing ghat on the Shipra, the main ghat of the Simhastha Kumbh and home to the evening aarti. View details →
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Kal Bhairav Temple Ujjain Ancient temple of Kal Bhairav, guardian of Ujjain, famous for the tradition of offering liquor to the deity. View details →

≈ Straight-line distance from Vedh Shala (Jantar Mantar) Ujjain. The road route is usually longer.

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