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Situated due west of Connaught
Palace, this garish modern temple was erected by the industrialist BD
Birla in 1938. It's dedicated to Lakshmi, the goddess of prosperity
and good fortune, and is commonly known as Birla Mandir. |
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Located just opposite the fort is
the imposing Jama Masjid with its black and white striped onion domes
and minarets, one of the largest and the most elegant mosques in
India.
The courtyard of the mosque has a capacity of 25,000 people. For it's
possible climb the southern minaret, and the views all directions arc
superb-Old Delhi, the Red Fort and the polluting factories beyond it
across the river, and New Delhi to the south. You can also see one of
the features that the architect Lutyens incorporated into his design
of New Delhi - the Jama Masjid, Connaught Place and Sansad Bhavan
(Parliament House) are in a direct line. There's also a fine view of
the Red port from the east side of the mosque. |