If all goes according to plan, visitors to Jantar Mantar will soon be able to use the structures there for astronomical observation.
After the resolution of a legal dispute on whether marble or lime plaster should be used at the site, the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has finally started work with the Jaiprakash Yantra, which is used to chart the position of stars.
One of the four structures present, the Jaiprakash Yantra comprises hemispheres with markings on their concave surfaces. Cross wires are stretched between points on the rims and used to chart the path of stars. The other three yantras are the Samrat Yantra, Ram Yantra and the Misra Yantra.
“We are replacing the cement plaster with lime plaster and using buff sandstone for the steps. This is being procured from the original source of the sandstone present here — the mines of Bansi Paharpur in Rajasthan,” a conservationist told The Hindu .
“More importantly, we are digitally documenting the structures inch-by-inch. This will be of tremendous help to researchers and for future conservation,” he added.
Representatives of NGO Science Popularisation Association of Communicators and Educators (SPACE) are also participating in the effort to ensure that the astro-numerical markings are accurate. The work is expected to be complete before the next financial year.
