By Narayan Bareth Jaipur, July 18: Priests and scholars in Jaipur are still using astronomical instruments at the centuries-old Jantar Mantar observatory to predicts the monsoon. The pandits gathered at the observatory on Thursday evening and predicted good rainfall, but said the monsoon would be fragmented. The astronomical instruments built by Raja Jai Singh again witnessed the ritual of Vayu Parikshan (testing the wind direction) to assess the state of the monsoon. The pandits said highrise buildings have created an obstacle to the smooth flow of the winds. "Our prediction is based on the direction of the wind, but it has several obstacles in its way," says Pandit Shivadutt Shastri, the organiser of the Vayu Parikshan. The pandits recited mantras for a good monsoon and offerings were made to the gods and lamps lit. A group of pandits proceeded to the summit of the Samrat Yantra and hoisted a flag at sunset. The flag will show the direction of the wind. "It shows the wind first blew west to east, then shifted towards Ishan. It shows there will be sufficient rainfall, but fragmented," says Mr Shastri. , adding, "Our predictions come after assessing four directions and four sides." Mr Vinod Shastri, director of the Jyoti Vigyan Kendra, University of Rajasthan, said these predictions were applicable to a limited area of only 84 kos, and not for the entire nation.