For a long time now Connaught Place situated in the heart of Delhi has been a popular spot for not only office goers and residents of the city bit also for tourists both from within the country and abroad. Main attractions most visited by the foreign tourists here include Hanuman Mandir, an ancient temple which has also been mentioned in Guinness Book of Record, Jantar Mantar, an astronomical observatory of 18th century, Maharaja Agrasen ki Baoli and State Emporiums showcasing cultural expertise of the states.
Background
Connaught Place, was named after George V's paternal uncle, and was designed keeping in mind the colonnades of Cheltenham and Bath to help lessen British homesickness. Built in 1931 in shape of a horseshoe; the market was the largest of its kind in India. The British believed the shape to be a lucky symbol for buyers and sellers. The market has been built in two circles; outer circle (divided into blocks G to N) is technically called Connaught Circus, and the inner circle (divided into blocks A to F) is Connaught Place, but locals now call the whole area 'CP.'
Tourists from India as well as foreigners flock towards Janpath, an open-air shopping complex, which lies on the road connecting the inner and outer circle. Being centrally located tourists while visiting the capital can easily enjoy their stay in any one of the various hotels in Connaught Place. The place provides hotels from high class to budget friendly options. The calming and appealing ambience of 3 stars, 4 stars and 5 stars hotels in Connaught Place attract many foreign tourists towards itself.
Tourist Attractions
Connaught Place being easily accessible from other part of Delhi makes it a convenient place for tourists to choose while picking a hotel to stay in Delhi. In fact a tourist in the area can easily spend the whole day with the variety of attractions available in and around the area.
Central Park
Being a popular location for various cultural events it has become a highly favorable spot, especially for foreign tourists. The National Flag hoisted in the park has further heightened the beauty and attraction of the place to visitors.
Jantar Mantar
Depicting a fascinating glimpse of India's historical scientific prowess, it provides a way of viewing accurate time and date made during a time when dates could be tracked by only tiny instruments. Maharaja Jai Singh II of Jaipur, with his acumen and interest in keeping track of date and calendars, decided to create large astronomical instruments for accurate measurements in five sites, Connaught Place being one of them. The one in CP has 13 grand astronomical tools which still give the accurate time and date.
Agrasen Ki Baoli
Built by the King Agrasen during the 14th century is an impressive step well constructed to provide a continuous supply of water to the city. The tourists also find it to be a cool resting place when tired and is a must-visit if one enjoys historical architecture.
The Museum Hotel
The huge white building painted in white is currently The Imperial, New Delhi, a luxury historical hotel with an awe-inspiring heritage interwoven in colonial elegance. In the past it used to be the headquarters of British India. It bears artifacts and vintage decor and is worth having a meal inside. Besides this, there are various other tourist attractions also in the area which we feel most tourists would enjoy visiting.
Razia Sultan's Tomb
This is a historical monument which was built in memory of the first woman Muslim ruler of the Turkish dynasty- Razia Sultan. She was considered to be a very capable administrator, who ruled over Delhi during medieval times.
Bangla Sahib Gurudwara
Another place tourists may like visiting to find peace amidst the bustling city of Delhi is the calm and peaceful Bangla Sahib Gurudwara; near Connaught Place. It is a sacred Sikh religious place of worship where travelers can find solace.
Hanuman Temple
This temple was dedicated to the heavenly Monkey God, Hanuman. It is a must visit especially for the foreign tourists who want to experience the true religious enthusiasm of the Hindu community. The place is filled with worshippers offering prayers and chanting. Moreover the temple is believed to be one of the four ancient temples that were the part of the epic mythological event Mahabharata.
Besides this there are various other attractions tourists may enjoy here, along with various branded shopping areas, flea markets like Palika bazaar, etc where one can get a very good bargain. After the sightseeing, tourists can enjoy a good meal at any of the many popular restaurants in the area or even unwind in the evening at one of the many restaurants, pubs and bars open at night.
Martin Wynn
