The famous Jantar Mantar were constructed in India in the 18th century at five different locations – New Delhi, Jaipur, Ujjain, Mathura and Varanasi. The primary purpose of the observatories was to compile astronomical tables and to predict the times and movements of the sun, moon and planets.
The Mobile Science Laboratory – Circus of Science, Vigyan Ka Jantar Mantar operating with objectives of science popularization among masses, especially school children, with support from NCSTC, Department of Science & Technology, Govt. of India, visited Govt. Middle School, Village Daulatpur, Block Radaur in district Yamunanagar (Haryana) on December 23, 2021.
The science communicators of the Mobile Science Laboratory deployed Sundial kits to the students which included sundial sheets, scissors, fevicol, magnetic compass etc. Through proper directions, all students prepared sundials. They learnt to use the magnetic compass for identifying the geographical directions and finally the alignment of sundial and time calculations.
From this activity, students learnt the basic ideas of time calculations by developing Sundials of their own. They were involved in many other activities including making of lens camera and periscope.