Press Release
Marking the Autumnal Equinox on 23 September, a training programme on the working of the astronomical instruments was organised at the Jantar Mantar . In the training participating scholars discussed the importance of astronomical instruments installed at the Jaipur observatory. Around 15 scholars participated in the event which was organized by the Archaeology and Museums Department of Government of Rajasthan. More than 200 students from Assam, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Haryana, Delhi and Rajasthan participated in this programme. The Superintendent of Jantar Mantar, Ms. Shashi Prabha Swami coordinated the training. She assured the participants that such trainings sessions will now become a regular feature of the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Jantar Mantar.
The programme started with the practical training on the use of astronomical instruments. It was followed by speaker sessions and discussions by the subject experts. A presentation on the various instruments was given by Pt. Om Prakash Sharma. Some of the eminent scholars present included Prof. Rampal Sharma, Dr. Vinod Sharma, Pt. Satish Sharma, Mr. Sandeep Bhattacharya, Dr. RP Sharma, among others.It is to be recalled that the Autumnal Equinox occurs when the great circle of the ecliptic intersects the great circle of the celestial equator, causing equal duration of day and night.