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Overview
Connaught Place — officially renamed Rajiv Chowk but still universally known by its colonial name — is the commercial and civic hub of central New Delhi. Designed by British architect RobertTor Russell and built in the 1930s, the district takes the form of two concentric circular colonnaded rings, known as the Inner Circle and the Outer Circle, connected by radial roads. The pale white neoclassical arcades give the area a distinctive, unhurried elegance that stands apart from the rest of the city's density.
The district functions as a meeting point for Delhi's many worlds: office workers share pavements with tourists, street vendors, and shoppers moving between heritage bookstores, flagship retail outlets, and century-old restaurants. Janpath and the surrounding lanes add layers of informal street commerce, handicraft stalls, and budget eateries.
Connaught Place is also a practical transit hub. The underground Rajiv Chowk Metro station — one of the busiest interchange stations in Delhi — sits directly beneath the central park, making the area easy to reach from virtually any part of the city. The central park itself is a modest green space used by locals for morning walks and informal gatherings.
Before You Go
Visas
Most foreign nationals require a visa to enter India. For accurate, up-to-date entry requirements specific to your nationality, check TravelerPulse's Visas section and consult the official Indian Bureau of Immigration website before travel.
Health
Delhi's air quality can be poor, particularly between November and February when seasonal crop burning and cold weather trap pollutants. Travelers with respiratory conditions should monitor daily AQI readings and carry any prescribed medication. Drink bottled or filtered water; most hotels and reputable restaurants provide safe drinking water but it is worth confirming. Standard travel health precautions for India — including food hygiene and mosquito protection — apply.
What to bring
- Comfortable, breathable clothing; loose layers work well year-round
- A light scarf or shawl, useful when entering religious sites nearby
- Small-denomination INR cash for street vendors and autorickshaws, though UPI-based digital payments are widely accepted at most shops and restaurants
- A reusable bag; plastic carry-bags are restricted in Delhi
Getting There
From Indira Gandhi International Airport
The Delhi Airport Metro Express connects Terminal 3 to New Delhi Railway Station in under 20 minutes, from where Rajiv Chowk is one stop on the Yellow Line. Verify current schedules and fares on the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) website before travel. Prepaid taxis are available from the airport and connect directly to Connaught Place; journey time varies considerably depending on traffic.
By Rail
New Delhi Railway Station is the closest major rail terminus, approximately 2 km north of Connaught Place. Nizamuddin Station to the south serves several long-distance trains. Both are connected to Rajiv Chowk via the Metro.
By Road
Delhi is served by extensive intercity bus services arriving at terminals including ISBT Kashmere Gate and Anand Vihar. Both have Metro connections to Rajiv Chowk.
Getting Around
Rajiv Chowk Metro Station (Yellow Line and Blue Line interchange) is the single most convenient way to arrive and is located directly beneath Connaught Place's central park. The station is well-signed and has multiple exits corresponding to different sections of the circular market.
Within Connaught Place itself, the colonnaded walkways are pedestrian-friendly and most points of interest are within a 10–15 minute walk of each other. The radial roads can be crossed using designated pedestrian crossings, though traffic discipline is inconsistent — exercise caution.
Autorickshaws and cycle rickshaws are available on surrounding streets for short hops to Janpath, Barakhamba Road, or nearby areas. App-based ride services (Ola, Uber) are widely used across Delhi and can be booked from the area without difficulty. Avoid accepting rides from unlicensed drivers approaching you inside the market.
Things to See & Do
Walk the Colonnades
The most rewarding way to experience Connaught Place is simply to walk its concentric rings. The whitewashed Palladian arcades house an eclectic mix of bookshops, tailors, jewellers, travel agencies, and coffee outlets. Early mornings, before the crowds gather, are particularly pleasant.
Janpath and Tibetan Market
Just south of the Outer Circle, Janpath is a street-market strip selling textiles, handicrafts, silver jewellery, and curios at negotiable prices. The adjacent Tibetan Market concentrates on Tibetan and Himalayan goods including thangkas, prayer beads, and woollen items. Prices are not fixed here — bargaining is expected.
Agrasen ki Baoli
A short walk or autorickshaw ride from Connaught Place, this ancient stepwell (baoli) is a beautifully preserved archaeological monument set amid modern office buildings on Hailey Road. Entry is free (verify locally); it is quieter on weekdays.
Palika Bazaar
An underground market beneath the central park, Palika Bazaar sells electronics, clothing, accessories, and DVDs in a dense, air-conditioned labyrinth. Buyers should verify product authenticity before purchasing electronics and expect to negotiate prices.
Hanuman Mandir
One of Delhi's most active temples, located just off the Baba Kharak Singh Marg side of Connaught Place. It is particularly busy on Tuesdays, considered auspicious for Hanuman. Visitors should dress modestly and remove shoes before entering.
Food & Drink
Connaught Place has one of Delhi's highest concentrations of restaurants spanning price points from street stalls to established multi-cuisine dining rooms. Several restaurants in the area have operated for decades and have loyal local followings.
What to look for
- North Indian cuisine: Butter chicken, dal makhani, tandoori breads, and kebabs are staple offerings at numerous sit-down restaurants in the Inner and Outer Circles.
- Street food on Janpath: Chaat, golgappe (pani puri), and rolls are sold by vendors along Janpath and in surrounding lanes. Quality varies; observe vendor hygiene before ordering.
- Coffee and café culture: Several national and international café chains have outlets here, useful for Wi-Fi access and a break from the heat.
- Bar scene: Connaught Place has a number of bars and rooftop lounges that are popular with Delhi's working population in the evenings. Hours and licensing rules can affect availability; verify locally.
Note that prices vary widely and menus change. Specific restaurant recommendations should be verified on current review platforms before your visit, as establishments open and close frequently.
Shopping
Shopping is one of Connaught Place's primary draws, offering a range from government-run emporiums to independent boutiques and street markets.
State Emporiums on Baba Kharak Singh Marg
The row of state government emporiums along Baba Kharak Singh Marg — just west of Connaught Place — is one of Delhi's most useful shopping stops for fixed-price, quality-assured handicrafts, textiles, and artisan goods from across India. Each state runs its own outlet; browsing several gives a useful overview of India's regional craft traditions. Prices are marked and non-negotiable, which removes the fatigue of haggling.
Central Cottage Industries Emporium
Located on Janpath, this government-operated store carries a broad range of Indian handicrafts, carpets, woodwork, and clothing under one roof at fixed prices. Verify current hours locally.
Independent Boutiques
The Inner Circle arcades house a mix of independent clothing boutiques, fabric shops, and jewellers. Quality and authenticity vary; inspect goods carefully before purchasing gemstones or silver.
Tips
- Bargain at Janpath and Tibetan Market; do not bargain at government emporiums
- Keep purchase receipts for higher-value items, especially jewellery
- GST is included in marked prices at most formal retail outlets
Practical Information
Money
ATMs are plentiful throughout Connaught Place. Most mid-range and upscale restaurants, hotels, and shops accept cards. UPI-based digital payments (Google Pay, PhonePe, Paytm) are widely accepted at street stalls and small shops — having a compatible setup if you have an Indian SIM can be useful for longer stays. Small cash reserves in INR remain practical for autorickshaws, market stalls, and tips.
Connectivity
Free Wi-Fi is available at Rajiv Chowk Metro Station and in many cafés. Foreign visitors planning a longer stay in India may consider purchasing a local SIM card; tourist SIM options are available at the airport and authorized outlets — requirements for registration vary, so verify current rules on arrival.
Toilets
Public toilets exist in the underground Palika Bazaar complex and at the Metro station. Cleanliness is inconsistent; cafés and restaurants are a more reliable option.
Emergency Numbers
Verify current local emergency numbers on arrival. Generally in India: Police 100, Ambulance 108, Fire 101 — but confirm these are applicable in Delhi before relying on them.
Safety
Connaught Place is a busy, well-policed public area and is generally considered safe during the day and into the evening. The area around Rajiv Chowk Metro Station sees heavy foot traffic throughout the day, which deters opportunistic crime but also creates conditions for pickpocketing in congested spots — keep bags zipped and wallets secure, especially during rush hours.
Be alert to common tourist-focused scams in the area: individuals posing as government tourism officials directing visitors to private 'tourism offices,' offers of gem deals or 'export business' opportunities, and taxi drivers insisting that your intended hotel is 'closed' or 'flooded.' A useful counter is to book accommodation in advance and confirm directly with your hotel if you receive such claims.
Late at night, the character of some parts of Connaught Place changes — particularly around certain bars. Standard urban precautions apply: avoid isolated lanes after midnight, use app-based cabs rather than hailing vehicles on the street, and keep a charged phone with hotel contact details saved.
Local Culture & Etiquette
Connaught Place occupies a specific cultural position in Delhi: it is colonial in architecture, post-Partition in its commercial character, and thoroughly contemporary in its daily rhythms. The area was developed as part of the planned imperial capital and reflects the Lutyens-era ambition to create a monumental yet functional city centre. For many Delhiites, 'CP' (as it is commonly abbreviated) carries strong nostalgic associations — several of its restaurants and shops have served multiple generations of the same families.
The area draws a genuinely mixed crowd: students from nearby colleges, office workers from the surrounding business district, tourists, and long-standing shopkeepers who have worked the same arcade for decades. This social mix makes Connaught Place one of the more cosmopolitan public spaces in the city.
When visiting the Hanuman Mandir or any religious site in the vicinity, modest dress is respectful — covered shoulders and knees are appropriate. Photography inside temples should be approached with discretion and permission sought where signage is unclear.
