Saturday 13 May 2017

Connaught Place, Heart of New Delhi

Hello my reader, today I want to write about one of the best place in Delhi, which is my favorite destination for shopping for coffee shop, restaurant and any kind of time pass activity.
Yes, yes, yes its all about Connaught Place.

Connaught Place is located in the center of the city. Its a biggest financial, business and commercial center of New Delhi. As a foreigner I like this place a lot (and I am not the only foreigner who likes this place) since here you can find everything, you can pass your time on shopping or try continental restaurants over here, or just enjoy beautiful view in central park. For me its like a Republic Square of Yerevan. It's clean and cosy place, where you can feel safe as a foreigner and walk alone till late evening.
Here, land is  very expensive and it comes 9th place among the most expensive commercial and business areas around the world.
You can reach this place by Metro, using Yellow or Blue line. The Metro station which comes just near to Central Park is called Rajiv Chowk and here Blue and Yellow lines are crossing.
Construction of this are started in 1929 and was completed in 1933. It has been named after Prince Arthur, 1st Duke of Connaught and Strathearn. This is a place of pride and counted among the top heritage structures in New Delhi. It was developed as showpiece of Lutyens Delhi, with the prominent Central Business District.


The circle was eventually designed with two concentric circles, creating an Inner Circle, Middle Circle and Outer Circle, with seven roads radiating from a circular central Park. As per the original plan, the different blocks of Connaught Place were to be joined from above. employing archways, with radial roads below them. However, the circle was 'broken up' to give it a grander scale. Even the blocks were originally planned to be 172 metres in height, but later reduced to present two-storied structure with an open colonnade. It was planned to build a New Delhi railway station there but engineers found it impractical  and selected nearby Paharganj area.


Regal Cinema, which was the first cinema of Connaught Place hosted popular concert, theater groups and ballet performances. Later on in 1938, Telki house has been opened, which was offering only Indian cuisine. Swish couple has introduced Delhi a homemade pastries and Swiss chocolates, by opening Wenger's which was originally established 1926 in Kashmiri Gate area. Then one by one many restaurants and shops has been established in this area.
In 1931 first luxury hotel of New Delhi, The Imperial has been opened on Queen's Way (now Janpath) and eventually became a haunt for royalty and a place for political discussion.
It was here that Jawaharlal Nehru, Mohandas K. Gandhi, Muhammad Ali Jinnah and Lord Mountbatten met to discuss the Partition of India and the birth of Pakistan.


When I walk through this area, no doubt, I feel typical British architectural presence and style.Buildings are old but those are kept in same style and way as have been constructed. It seems nothing has been change during this century, but no, it has been...this is the place where every fashion brand exist. Here you can see an ancient and modern, classic and chic, budget and expensive, everything from everywhere.
Just in inner cycle there is a underground market which is called Palika bazaar. where you can find everything with affordable prices, don't expect too much about quality, if you want something according to upcoming fashion, you can choose branded shops.
This place is  near to several luxury hotels, railway station, diplomatic area, parliament house and India gate.


This is a historical place, famous destination for every indian and every tourist stepped to Delhi. Every time when I look at the huge Indian flag placed in the center of Central Park, kind of proud feeling is surrounding me  The flag waves slowly and peacefully, it's as huge as it's nation, history and culture. That beautiful flag is a symbol of this city, country and nation. It reminds us that we are in the heart of this civilization, and I am somehow proud to be part of it.

11 comments:

  1. It's been half a decade, I have not been to Delhi. I loved this place so much. My office was in CP, I met my husband in CP and I share some beautiful memories related to this place. Thanks for making me nostalgic!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I am happy that it brought you nice memories. Thanks for your comment

      Delete
  2. Gorgeous! I've never been to New Delhi and I love historical packed spots!

    xoxo Christie
    http://icanstyleu.com/blog/

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You need to visit once at least. New Delhi is a huge city where you can see a diversity in everything...

      Delete
  3. What gorgeous pictures. It looks like a beautiful place!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It is one of the famous place in Delhi for all tourists

      Delete
  4. I had never thought of going to New Delhi before, but I'm definitely considering it now. It looks lovely!

    xo, Helene
    www.circleskirtsandpetticoats.wordpress.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Here you will not feel that you are in India.

      Delete
  5. I've never been to New Dehli, but it looks like an amazing place. Your pictures are beautiful.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. thanks, Delhi is a city of diversity...

      Delete