Built in 1724, how Jantar Mantar evolved from an astronomical observatory into a symbol of protest in Delhi; now, it is no longer a designated protest site

Delhi’s Jantar Mantar is making headlines again, but this time for a completely different and significant reason. Now its role as a public gathering place has ended. On October 12, 2026, reports confirmed that Delhi Police had removed the historic architecture wonder from its list of designated venues for protests and demonstrations. Now Ramlila Ground, Burari Ground and CBD Ground in East Delhi have been presented as alternatives. The latest order was issued by Delhi Police Commissioner Anurag Kumar on October 11.What Jantar Mantar means for travellersFor travellers exploring Delhi, Jantar Mantar remains one of the must-visit attractions offering a fascinating insight into India's astronomical heritage. The place was built nearly 300 years ago in 1724. It is an unusual complex of geometric structures designed to study the movement of celestial bodies. Over the centuries, it has evolved from an astronomical observatory into a prominent landmark in the heart of modern Delhi.A wonder built in 1724Jantar Mantar was built in 1724 by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II, the ruler of Amber, near present-day Jaipur. He was a keen student of astronomy and mathematics and wanted to improve astronomical observations in the country. He also wanted to address the limitations of instruments used during his time.He commissioned a series of observatories across northern India, including those in Delhi, Jaipur, Ujjain, Mathura and Varanasi. The king commissioned large masonry structures that could be used to observe celestial movements with the naked eye.What can travellers see inside Jantar Mantar?The observatory’s main attractions are open-air scientific instruments, built using brick, rubble and plaster, whose shapes can appear almost abstract at first glance. The complex is home to 13 astronomical instruments.Three of its most prominent structures include:Samrat YantraJai Prakash YantraMisra YantraJourney from an observatory to a protest groundJantar Mantar’s central location is the main reason for its transformation. Its proximity to Connaught Place and the corridors of political power.Over the years, the site witnessed protests by citizens, workers, students and civil society groups seeking attention for their demands. The place gained quite a popularity and became more recognisable during the 2011 anti-corruption movement led by Anna Hazare. During that time, it became the hub for large public gatherings.For many Indians, Delhi’s Jantar Mantar became a symbol of peaceful public protest.Not a protest site anymoreHowever, the latest administrative order marks a change in this role. Following a committee constituted by the Union Ministry of Home Affairs to examine alternative venues for demonstrations, Jantar Mantar was de-notified as a designated protest site.Why Jantar Mantar is a must visitFor travellers interested in history, science and architecture, Jantar Mantar offers a different experience from Delhi's forts, tombs and Mughal-era monuments. Its open-air instruments invite visitors to look closely at the relationship between mathematics, the sun, the stars and the passage of time.Its location makes it convenient to combine with a visit to Connaught Place, one of the capital's major commercial and dining districts. Travellers can explore the observatory and then continue to nearby markets, restaurants and other central Delhi landmarks.Jantar Mantar is also a reminder that heritage sites can acquire new meanings as cities change. A place conceived for scientific observation became a landmark of public expression centuries later. Even as its formal status as a designated protest venue changes in 2026, its story continues to reflect the many layers of Delhi's history.You use AI every day. Now get your AI Quotient. Take the AIQ testGet the latest Lifestyle News and more. Download the TOI app.