Explore Pune: Sprawling City In Western India, Maharashtra!

Pune is a spectacular city situated in the Indian state of Maharashtra. The former name of the city was Poona. The city stands out from the rest of the cities in the state as well as in the country by being a center to a lot many higher education campuses and industrial sites.

The city was also significant during the past times since it was the Prime Minister’s Base of the royal Maratha empire. The royal past of the city was prominent during the period 1674-1818. The city of Pune is now a tourist attraction with a bunch of palaces, temples, pilgrim centers, and many more.

Since it is home to several educational institutions with international standards, it has also got the title, “Oxford of the East”. Many tech companies and Multi-National Companies are also situated in the territory of Pune making it the “second major IT hub in the nation”.

You can also spot a lot of automobile manufacturing units in the city. If you plan on exploring the city of Pune, renting a car can be a convenient and efficient option. Some of the best places to visit in Pune are given below. 

Aga Khan Palace

This former palace is an important landmark in the city of Pune. Over the course of time, the palace has now been converted into a museum where a lot of tourists are spotted. The construction credits of this palace go to Sultan Muhammed Shah Aga Khan II.

Even though it was the Sultan who ordered the construction of the palace, the idea behind such a structure came from the religious leader of the Muslims of Nizari Ismaili. He wished to lend a helping hand to the people in the city of Pune who were affected by the acute famine that once fed on the city.

By establishing such a palace, the royal family could offer employment opportunities to people in the city and thereby help them overcome adversities by being financially stable and secure. 1892 is marked as the year of the establishment of the palace. 

Osho Ashram

Osho Ashram is a sensational tourist destination you must visit in the territory of Pune. Koregaon Park is the exact location of the Ashram. The serenity and positivity radiating non-stop in the Ashram make a lot of believers, as well as non-believers, this is also known as one of the beautiful places to visit in Pune

The ambiance and atmosphere of the Osho Ashram are best for meditation so that people seeking spirituality and some tranquil vibes would fall in love with this place. this place is also one of the best places to visit in Pune. The surreal practices that are peculiar to the Ashram would also fascinate people who are visiting the place for the first time.

Osho Meditation Resort is the popular name of the place. Apart from meditation and spirituality, all you can experience is the Greek style of resort architecture methodology incorporated aesthetically into the construction. Oneness is one of the most followed ideologies practiced inside the Ashram.

Hence, this is also a place where no discrimination, marginalization, or dominance happens based on caste, color, creed, religion, and whatever else. 

Shaniwar Wada Palace

Shaniwar Wada Palace is a legendary fortification you will come across in the city of Pune. The year of construction of the structure is 1732. Until 1818, the fortification was the great seat of the Maratha Empire Peshwas. On account of this fact, the location had due significance in the politics of the country during the 18^th century.

There are a total of 13 stories for the construction. Bajirao, I was the royal power behind the construction of this fortification. The culture, tradition, and heritage of the city of Pune and the life of its people are expressively marked in the construction.

While building the fortification prime importance was given to the security concerns related to the royal family. “Delhi Darwaja” was the name of the main entrance of the structure. Ganesh, Jambhal, Mastani, and Khidki were the names of the rest of the entrances. It is recommended to witness the light and sound show made available for the tourists visiting the place. 

The landscaped gardens of Shaniwar Wada, a legendary palace fort built by the Peshwas, are a stunning visual spectacle.#incredibleindia pic.twitter.com/89ouXMI4rj

— ALL INDIA RADIO आकाशवाणी (@AkashvaniAIR) May 24, 2017

Lal Mahal Pune

This is another historically significant monument you can visit in the city of Pune. This is significant because the palace monument is where the founder of the Maratha Empire, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj grew up during his childhood days. 1630AD is the year of the construction of the palace.

It was the father of Shivaji Maharaj, Shahaji Bhosale who ordered the establishment of the palace as a dedication to his wife Jijabai, and his beloved son. It was when Shivaji Maharaj captured a fort for the first time in his life that he left the Lal Mahal. The Lal Mahal you would see now is a reconstructed structure and not the original one.

That is why the palace is now known as a monument and not a palace. The original palace got ruined over the course of time. This palace monument is also the place where Shivaji Maharaj and Shaista Khan fought a battle. Shaista Khan got seriously wounded and also lost his fingers while on his attempt to escape from the scene. 

Raja Dinkar Kelkar Museum

If you are fond of history and historical belongings, you must visit this legendary museum in the city of Pune. You will come across a total of 15000 objects and artifacts on the site. The name of the museum is derived from the name of a historian named, Dr. Dinkar G Kelkar whose collections form a majority of the artifacts in the museum. Raja was the son of the above-mentioned and this entire collection was dedicated to him.

There are a total of three stories in the museum. Sculptures and idols are the major collections inside the museum. The ancientness of many objects dates back to the 14^th century which accentuates the historical significance of the museum. 1920 is the year of the establishment of this historical center.

According to the doctor, the collections inside the museum became a reality with his relentless efforts over 40 years and more. 

Dagdusheth Halwai Temple

Now, it is time to address the pilgrim tourists or the spirituality enthusiasts visiting the city of Pune. The Dagdusheth Halwai Temple is one such location where Hindu pilgrims can take a visit and fulfill their interests in the trip.

Shreemant Dagdusheth Halwai Sarvajanik Ganapati Trust is the authority behind the management of the temple. The Hindu Lord, Ganesh is the main deity of worship in the temple.

The temple is famous for its auspicious celebration of the Ganesh Festival. During this time, flocks of pilgrim tourists from different parts of the country visit the temple and do the honors. Celebrities and political figures and a lot many reputed individuals also do pay a visit to the temple during this auspicious occasion.

The duration of the festival would be 10 days. If you are visiting the temple during any other time of the year, try to be in the temple during the time of the Suprabhatam Aarti or the morning prayers that would be done from 7:30-7:45 in the morning. 

Vetal Tekdi 

If you are a nature lover and are suspecting the possibility of naturally fascinating locations in the industrial city of Pune, the Vetal Tekdi is just for you. As the name suggests, it is a hill with an elevation of 2600 feet. You can also find a temple on the hilltop known by the name, of Vetala. It is from the name of the temple that the hill got its name.

The hill belongs to the Western Ghats region. Trekking is also possible in the location attracting adventure tourists to the hills. The panoramic visuals and sights from the hills are spellbound and worth experiencing on your trip to Pune. The hill and the premises are the best to plan a family picnic or a friends’ hangout.

If you are a sunset lover, this is the place where you should not miss out on your Pune trip. If you would like to hike, jog, or go cycling, the atmosphere and landscape of the hills would give you the best experience ever. 

Parvati Hill

This high-altitude hillock is another natural attraction in the city of Pune. 2100 m is calculated as the elevation of the hill. The Parvati temple stands on the top of the hill. The mesmerizing nature and natural wonders of the city of Pune can be enjoyed at a single glance from the location of the hill and the hill temple.

The temple and the hill have historical and heritage significance so they can’t be regarded just as a nature or pilgrim site in the city. When it comes to ancientness, the temple can be regarded as the oldest according to the records available. It was during the period of the reign of the Peshwa dynasty that the temple was constructed in the location.

In order to reach the temple from the valley of the hills, you need to climb a total of 108 steps spicing up the journey with some bits of adventure and strength. There is also a small museum set up near the temple. 

Rajiv Gandhi Zoological Park

If you are interested to explore the wildlife, biodiversity, and exotic organisms in your Pune vacation, then the Rajiv Gandhi Zoological Park is a nationally significant location you can visit.

Rajiv Gandhi Zoo or Katraj Zoo is the other popular name of this zoological park. Pune Municipal Corporation is assigned the responsibility to manage and take care of the park. It was during the year 1999, that the zoo was opened for public visits.

As per the records kept by the authorities of the zoo, there are a total of 389 animals in its area. The zoo is spread over a vast 130 acres of land. Sloth bears, White Tigers, elephants, leopards, Bengal tigers, etc. are some of the animals enjoying celebrity status inside the zoo. The zoo is well maintained and there are provisions for a smooth and hassle-free visit for tourists. 

Sinhagard Fort

This is yet another historically prominent fort in the city of Pune. Thoptewadi is the exact location of the fortress. You need to travel a distance of 49km from the city center of Pune to reach the location of this fort. During the early days, the fort was known by the name, Kondhana. A lot many historic battles and wars have taken place in the location of this fort.

The battle of Sinhagad which happened in the year 1670 is one of the most important battles in the history of the fort. A visit to the fort may take you around 4-5 hours so remember to plan the visit accordingly. If you are fond of hiking, such activities are also possible in the location.

Beginner-level trekking is also an ideal activity to be engaged in the location. Groups of families are mostly seen in this serene location. Also, don’t forget to carry food and water since there would only be fewer provisions for the same in the area. 

National Defence Academy

The National Defence Academy is a national training institute located in the city of Pune. All the beginners in the Indian Armed Forces are trained in the academy. Indian Air Force, Indian Navy, and Indian Army candidates are collectively trained here. This training happens before the specialized training they receive according to their service streams.

The academy has been regarded as an institute where globally excelling training is being catered to the trainees. It is the supreme institution for military education and training in India. 1954 is the year of the establishment of the academy. Khadakwasla is where you should go in Pune to visit this center of excellence.

The location is 20 km away from the city center of Pune. Prior permissions would be required to enter and visit the campus of the academy. There would also be entry restrictions on certain criteria. The motto of the institute, “Service Before Self” speaks out the patriotic feelings that filled in the air of the campus. 

Shinde Chhatri

The history of Pune gets magnificent and expressive in yet another location known as the Shinde Chhatri. Wanawadi is the exact location of this historic memorial in Pune. The memorial is built as a tribute to Mahadji Shinde who was a prominent military leader of the 18^th century. He was the commander in chief of the Maratha army from 1760-1780.

He is regarded as the “reason for the resurrection of the Maratha power”. This is one of the inevitable locations in a historic tour of the city of Pune. You will be able to absorb all the historic vibes and feelings of the city during the reign of the Peshwas from the visit to this memorial.

The Bahiroba stream that flows nearby the memorial is also something worth visiting on your trip to the place. The year of construction of the memorial is marked as 1910. Anglo-Rajasthani architecture is one of the distinctive features of this construction. 

National War Museum

If you wish to fill your soul with feelings of patriotism, the National War Museum in Pune is something that is inevitable to visit. The major events and memories portrayed in the museum belong to the post-independence era, the soldiers who lost their lives on the war front for the country, and so on.

This war memorial is built by collecting and gathering contributions from the citizens of India. This is the only South Asian war memorial that is constructed in such a way. It got opened to the public on the 15^th of August in 1998. This is also one of the best places to visit in Pune. if you wish to enlighten your kids about the history of the nation. It is also a cantonment area in the city of Pune. 

Best Time To Visit Pune

October to February

How To Reach Pune?

Nearest Airport: Pune Airport

Nearest Railway station: Pune Junction Railway Station (PUNE)

Conclusion 

Best holiday destination to touch and feel the history of India. Royal India, colonial India, and postcolonial India have significant expressions in the city. Moreover, adventure, nature, and pilgrimage are also some of the prominent features of Pune tourism.

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