Cannaught Place Sights and Activities

Connaught Place (CP):
Cannaught Place is situated in the city centre and can be easily located. It is divided into the inner, middle and outer circles with seven important roads that spring out from here, making it a confusing complex. The inner circle is also called Rajiv Chowk and the outer one is known as Indira Chowk. It is a major shopping area with important brands present here. Hotels, restaurants, banks, tourist offices and other offices are also present here. The whole structure seems to be systematically planned in the colonial style with its round whitewashed pillars and galleries.

Jantar Mantar:
Jantar Mantar on the Sansad Marg, is an amazing creation of the renowned Jaipur Maharaja Jai Singh II. It consists of scientific instruments to measure variables such as time, altitude and prediction of eclipses using the position of celestial objects. The accuracy of the findings of these instruments were hair-raising during that time. The most interesting instrument is the Prince of Dials. These instruments are majorly brick structures that were built with extreme accuracy after studies and observations of scientific inventions from major parts of the world.

Other Areas:
Coronation Durbar Site:
Located in North Delhi, the Coronation Durbar Site, is the place where the Britishers held their Durbars in the city in 1877, when the Queen was announced the Empress of India, in 1903, when Edward VII ascended to the throne and in 1911 when King George V was declared accession to the Indian throne. The site also preserves many British statues and memorials that dotted the city before independence.

Firoz Shah Kotla:
The Feroze Shah Area narrates the era of Ferozabad, a city built in this area by Feroz Shah in 1354. One of the important testimonies of that time is the Ashoka Pillar, that stands 13m tall and contains emperor Ashoka's commandments. Other remnants of Ferozabad include a well and a mosque while other ruins were modified into new structures as new cities sprung up here.

Lakshmi Narayan Temple:
One of the best examples of modern temples of India, Lakshmi Narayan Temple or Birla Mandir was built by the famous Indian Industrialist B D Birla, in 1938. The temple is devoted to Lord Vishnu and Goddess Lakshmi and is known for its colorful exteriors prepared in Orissan style. It is situated near Cannaught Place.

Rail Museum:
An interesting exhibition of locomotives and ancient carriages, which you would love to observe, explore and experience. The museum is proud to preserve the oldest locomotive of the world which is still in a working condition. It also houses some of the vintage carriages of the Maharajas and saloons of princes, steam run engines and the Fairy Queen that was built in 1855.

Hauz Khas Village:
An urban city of today, Hauz Khas is the area where the second incarnation of the city, called Siri, was located. Even today, you can find many dilapidated structures of ancient era, the important ones being Feroz Shah's Tomb and Moth ki Masjid.

Bahai Temple:
Lotus temple of the Bahai faith is situated in Kalkaji, in south Delhi. Its amazing lotus shaped facade and peaceful prayer hall are the main attractions of the temple. People from all faiths are welcomed here to meditate in silence and pray to their Lord. One must open shoes outside the temple and refrain from making any kind of noise. The temple is closed on Monday.

International Doll Museum:
Shankar's International Doll's Museum, located in Bahadur Shah Zaffar Marg, is simply superb with its collection of dolls kept inside transparent cases on the walls. Dolls from India are exchanged for International dolls that are received as gifts. These dolls are handmade and sit pretty in various colorful costumes, which have a hint of the culture of the region from where it came. These dolls have won many accolades and awards too.

Sulabh International Museum of Toilets:
Ever imagined yourself in a 2nd century BC loo in the 21st century. Yes its possible here in Delhi at the Sulabh International Museum of Toilets where you will get to see a huge collection of toilet related accessories and accouterments to imagine yourself using one of the antique pieces. The museum is located in Mahavir enclave and there is no entry fee.

ACTIVITIES IN DELHI:

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Beauty Treatments:
After a hectic day of traveling amid heat and dust, you can get yourself back on track by getting groomed from head to toe at one of the Delhi parlors. The hotel parlors charge more than the independent parlors, but the experience is worth it. You will get perfect ambiance, professional touch and best of beauty products including international brands. From pedicure, manicure, plucking, haircuts and trims to facials, nail art, hair treatments, etc. are available here for a complete beauty treatment. You can also get henna tattoos done on your hand and show it off to your friends.

Some of the best parlors of the city are Lakme Beauty Studio in Basant Lok, Princess Beauty Palace in Paharganj and Meghna Beauty Parlor in Green Park, among others.

Golf:
Golf is one of the favorite recreational activities of Delhi. Delhi Golf Club or the Lodhi Golf Course is one of the best weekend getaway. It was first built by the Britishers in 1931 and was restructured in 1977 by Peter Thompson. Today, the golf course also gives many facilities to golfers, apart from its scenic grounds, such as 250 yards of floodlit green range, coaching classes, dining spaces, bars, party areas, swimming pools, health club, etc. Many golf tournaments keep taking place in the Delhi club, at both domestic and international levels. You can also find here many ancient monuments, that were built by the Lodi and Tughlaq rulers. Other famous golf courses of Delhi are Army Golf Course in Dhaula Kuan and Qutub Golf Course in Lado Sarai.

Massage and Ayurvedic Treatments:
For a relaxing experience, you can try out the authentic ayurvedic massage at some of the best ayurved centres of Delhi, like Ashtaang. Ashtang is situated in south Delhi, just opposite to Delhi University's south campus. The centre offers ayurvedic treatments developed in Kerala, the state known for its oil massages like sirodhara and pzhichal. The price tags for the massages are also affordable.

Another ayurvedic centre that you can try out is Beyond looks, situated in Vasant Vihar. Here you can enjoy a leisurely hour of olive and coconut oil massage and other treatments like sirodhara and shiatsu at affordable rates. Other common treatments like waxing and facials are also available here.

Swimming:
You can enjoy swimming at most of the upmarket hotels of the city including Centaur Hotel on National Highway 8, Clark Ridges Hotel in Aurangzeb Road and Hotel Samrat in Chanakyapuri.

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