Connaught Place

One of Delhi's most popular shopping centres built as early as 1931.  It was designed by Edwin Lutyens who also designed the whole of New Delhi in the style called Indo-Saracenic.  There is nothing that one cannot buy here. The state emporia buildings are also located in this area. The complex, popularly referred to as C.P. is an important meeting point.

Birla Mandir  
Birla Mandir is a landmark close to Connaught Place.  The temple, containing idols of several deities, was built by industrialist Raja Baldev Birla in 1938.  Formally known as Lakshmi Narayan Temple, it is an important prayer site. Interestingly Mahatma Gandhi, who inaugurated the temple, was also a regular visitor to it and would often pray there.   Visitors should remove their shoes.

Lotus Temple
Completed in 1986, the temple is a very recent architectural marvel visible from several spots in south Delhi.  It is a place of worhip for the Bahai.  There are only seven such temples in the world.  Located in Kalkaji, it is open to people of all faiths and is an ideal place for meditation and obtaining peace and tranquillity.  Constructed of marble and cement, and surrounded by a landscaped garden, has been dubbed the Taj Mahal of the 21^st century.

The Ghats
Along the banks of Jamuna is the place were leaders and freedom fighters of India were cremated after their deaths. The Raj Ghat is one of the most visited ghats. A simple square platform of black marble marks the spot where Mahatma Gandhi was cremated after his assassination in 1948. To the north of Raj Ghat is the cremation ground of Jawaharlal Nehru, known as Shanti Van. The cremation grounds of Indira Gandhi, Sanjay Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi are also in the vicinity. 

Hauz Khas
Lying midway between Safdarjang and the Qutab Minar, this area was once the reservoir for the second city of Delhi, Siri.  Feroz Shah's Tomb (1398) and the remains of an ancient college can be seen here.  It was around this area that Timur defeated the forces of Mohammed Shah Tughlaq in 1398.

Today there is a deer park and a village with lively restaurants.

Teen Murti Bhavan
This was the official residence of Jawaharlal Nehru when he was the Prime Minister and after his death it was converted into a museum. Through pictures and other literature, various facets of the life of Pandit Nehru are shown.

Pragati Maidan  
The venue of the annual India International Trade Fair where thousands of visitors come from all over the world in November. It is a massive complex with well laid out roads. The complex also has permanent pavilions representing each state of the country.   Open weekdays: 09:30 to 17:30; Sundays and public holidays: 09:30 to 20:00.