Connaught Place Delhi is a popular commercial and financial hub located in the heart of Delhi, India. It is also known as CP and is named after the Duke of Connaught and Strathearn, a member of the British royal family. Connaught Place was designed by British architect Robert Tor Russell in the early 20th century and was completed in 1933.
Connaught Place is famous for its circular design and architecture, which is inspired by the Royal Crescent in Bath, England. It is divided into two concentric circles, with a central park called the Central Park in the middle. The outer circle is known as the Connaught Circus, and the inner circle is called the Middle Circle.
Connaught Place is home to many well-known buildings and landmarks, including the Palika Bazaar, Jantar Mantar, and the Hanuman Mandir. Several restaurants in Connaught Place, cafes, and shops offer a wide range of products and services. Connaught Place is also a popular destination for nightlife, with several bars and clubs located in the area.
Connaught Place, also known as CP, used to be the former headquarters of the British Raj, but now it is a top heritage structure in Delhi. The circular design of CP is reminiscent of a grand mansion with wide pillars painted in white. While the structure has remained the same, there are now many offices, shops, and restaurants located there. Surprisingly, it is the fifth most expensive market in the world.
CP remains a popular destination for Delhiites and visitors alike. For me, it feels like a second home, and I find myself there almost every other day. The variety of options for shopping, dining, lounging, terrace restaurants, monuments, cinema halls, and more means there’s always something new to discover. A visit to CP is a must-do, and I highly recommend spending a day there, especially as a solo traveler. Sunday is a perfect day to explore CP, and there are many things to do, including shopping, dining, and visiting monuments.
Here are pictures of the CP market
List of popular places in Connaught Place Delhi
- Central Park: A lush green park located in the center of Connaught Place, surrounded by the inner circle.
- Palika Bazaar: An underground market famous for its cheap electronic goods, clothing, and accessories.
- Janpath Market: A popular street market known for its collection of handicrafts, clothing, and accessories.
- Indian Coffee House: A popular cafe that serves affordable coffee and snacks.
- Keventers: A famous milkshake joint that has been serving milkshakes since 1925.
- Wenger’s: A popular bakery and cafe that has been serving delicious pastries and baked goods since 1926.
- United Coffee House: A popular restaurant that serves Indian and Continental cuisine, is known for its elegant interiors.
- The Imperial: A luxury hotel that has been hosting guests since 1936.
- Odeon Social: A trendy restaurant and bar that offers a wide range of food and drinks.
- Hard Rock Cafe: A popular chain of restaurants and bars known for its rock and roll decor, live music, and American cuisine.
- Jain Chawal Wale: A popular vegetarian restaurant that serves delicious Rajasthani and Gujarati thalis.
- Sarvana Bhavan: A South Indian vegetarian restaurant that serves authentic dosas, idlis, and vadas.
- The Immigrant Cafe: A cafe that serves a wide range of coffee, tea, and snacks. The cafe also hosts events and workshops.
- The Beer Cafe: A popular chain of bars that serves a wide range of beers from around the world.
- Haldiram’s: A popular chain of vegetarian restaurants that serve a wide range of Indian snacks and sweets.
- Embassy Restaurant: A popular restaurant that serves Indian and Continental cuisine, known for its rooftop seating and beautiful views of Connaught Place.
- Bunta Bar: A trendy bar that serves a variety of cocktails and street food inspired by different regions of India.
- Cafe Delhi Heights: A popular cafe that serves a wide range of burgers, sandwiches, pizzas, and other fast food items.
- Town Hall: A modern restaurant that serves Indian and Continental cuisine, known for its elegant decor and live music performances.
- Naturals Ice Cream: A popular ice cream parlor that serves a wide range of natural ice cream flavors.
- Hanuman Mandir: This is a Hindu’s temple dedicated to the god Hanuman, located in the Connaught Place Inner Circle. It’s a popular place of worship for Hindus.
Interesting facts about Connaught Place
- Connaught Place, also known as CP, was built in 1931 and named after the Duke of Connaught, who was the third son of Queen Victoria.
- It is designed in the shape of two concentric circles, with a total of 8 roads radiating outwards from the circles.
- The entire area covers approximately 1 km in diameter and is considered one of the largest commercial, financial, and business centers in New Delhi.
- The outer circle of Connaught Place is known as Indira Chowk, named after the former Prime Minister of India, Indira Gandhi, while the inner circle is known as Rajiv Chowk, named after the former Prime Minister of India, Rajiv Gandhi.
- The construction of Connaught Place was completed in 1933, and it was one of the first planned commercial districts in the world.
- The architecture of Connaught Place is a mix of Victorian, Georgian, and contemporary styles, with a blend of classical Greek and Roman motifs.
- It is home to several historical landmarks, including Central Park, Jantar Mantar, Gurudwara Bangla Sahib, and the Hanuman Temple.
- The underground Palika Bazaar, located in Connaught Place, is one of the oldest and busiest markets in Delhi, known for its cheap electronic goods, clothing, and accessories.
- Connaught Place has been featured in several Bollywood movies, including “Rang De Basanti,” “Love Aaj Kal,” and “Delhi 6.”
- In 2019, Connaught Place was ranked as the 9th most expensive office location in the world by a global property consultant firm.
Connaught Place Metro Station
To visit CP you have to go to Rajiv Chowk Metro station. It is one of the busiest metro stations in the DMRC network
Location on Google Map
FAQ
Why Connaught Place is so famous?
Connaught Place is famous for its circular design and architecture, which is inspired by the Royal Crescent in Bath, England. It is divided into two concentric circles, with a central park called the Central Park in the middle.
Is Connaught Place expensive?
Yes, most of the items sold here are expensive. Even the property in CP or near to it are very expensive.
On which day CP is closed?
Connaught Place is closed on Monday.
Is CP good for shopping?
Yes, it is a great place for shopping in Delhi, it’s called a shopping paradise for shopaholics. Connaught Place itself has a wide range of stores offering various products, including clothing, footwear, jewelry, books, and handicrafts. There are also several popular brand outlets and department stores located in the area. Additionally, Connaught Place has several street vendors selling a variety of items at affordable prices.
Which metro station is near Connaught Place?
The nearest metro station is Rajiv Chowk Metro station. It is one of the busiest metro stations in the DMRC network.
Hope the above information will help you while you are planning to visit CP.
