Pune is located in Maharashtra and is considered the state's cultural capital. The city contains the headquarters of an administrative division officially known as the Pune division. The large student population in the city makes for a lively nightlife and vibrant atmosphere. Pune also houses some fantastic restaurants, a few good museums and is well known for its surrounding hill forts which offer panoramic bird's-eye views.
Pune derives its name from Punya Nagari, or the city of virtuous deeds. Pune started out as Punya-Vishaya or Punak Vishaya — an agricultural settlement in AD 937. By the 13th century, it had come to be known as Kasbe Pune or Punavadi when under the Sultan rule. It was known alternatively as Poona by the British; but it has regained prominence as 'Pune' in the past few years
The original agricultural settlement had become known as Punnaka by the 8th century. The earliest evidence (copper plates dating 758 AD and 768 AD) reveals that this region was ruled by the Rashtrakutas. It came under Mughal rule in the 17th century.
Pune's medieval roots are also evident in the number of its temples. The oldest structure in the city is the rock-cut temple of Pataleshwar, from the 8th century AD. The cave-temple complex is also called Panchaleshvara cave. This cave, once situated outside the limits of the old town, is now squarely in the middle of the city off the Jungli Maharaj road.
Pune is inextricably linked to the life of the Maratha hero and king, Chhatrapati
Shivaji. The era of Pune's fame began when Chhatrapati Shivaji came to stay here
with his mother Jijabai in 1635-1657. They lived in a mansion known as "Lal Mahal,"
a monument can be visited at its original location in the city. According to local lore,
the Kasba Ganapati Mandir, regarded as the presiding deity of the city
(gramadevata), was built by Jijabai
PLACE TO VISIT
Raja Dinakar Kelkar Museum - The museum is housed in a Rajasthani style building situated close to the hustle and bustle of the busy Bajirao Road. It holds a collection of the most fascinating Indian articrafts that you would have ever seen. ‘Mastani Mahal’ which was brought and erected as it was from its original form is a masterpiece amongst it’s other exhibits. It has 36 sections which include carved palace and temple doors, 2,000 year old pottery, traditional Indian lamps and 17th century paintings.
Tribal Museum - Located off Koregaon Road to the east of Pune City Stn, this unique museum houses interesting artifacts from the Sahyadri and Gondhwa regions of Maharashtra.
Mahatma Phule Museum - You can see various industrial products, agricultural and handicraft articles in this museum, which was estabished in 1890. It is situated on Ghole Road, in Shivaji Nagar.
National War Museum - The idea of the National War Memorial was first put forth in 1996. The citizens of Pune, under the sponsorship of the Express Citizens' Forum, set up the War Memorial fund. The comittee asked the citizens of the city to contribute to the fund. From the ordinary common citizen to the big corporates, everyone decided to contribute whole-heartedly for the museum. The Foundation was laid in November 1997 and inaugurated in October 1998. The memorial is a 25- foot stone pillar.
Shaniwar Waada - This imposing palace was built by the successors of Shivaji, the Peshwas in 1736. A massive fire destroyed the building in 1827. Most of the palace interiors also got destroyed and all that remains is the old fortified wall. But of course the impressive brass studded gates and lotus pools have also withstood the ravages of time. This palace is situated in the heart of the city next to Deccan Gymkhana, Shivajinagar, and Laxmi Road. It has become the symbol of Pune culture. There is an impressive 'Light & Sound Show' in three languages (Marathi, Hindi and English) every evening at the wada. It details the history of the Maratha empire and the significance of the Shaniwar wada in that history.
Vishram Bagh Waada - The remains of this majestic palace stand in the heart of the old city. It was built during the 18th century by a descendant of Shivaji the Peshwa. It is well known for its elaborate wooden facade.
Aga Khan Palace - This palace boasts of Italianate arches, a gracious building having salons, suites and spacious lawns. The place is a historical landmark. During the 1942 Quit India Movement, the British interned Mahatma Gandhi and his wife Kasturba Gandhi here. A memorial was later erected here, in the memory of Kasturba Gandhi who died in this palace.
Parvati Hill temples - Standing atop this hillock you get a vertical glimpse of Pune. A steep flight of 108 narrow steps lead to the hill top temple built by Balaji Baji Rao. ‘Nagarkjana’ drum house is the imposing temple of Parvati and Devdeveshwar. This was once the private shrine of the Peshwas. It is also the final resting place of Nana Saheb Peshwa. The Parvati museum houses portraits of Peshwas, old manuscripts, coins etc.
Mulshi - To the west of Pune lies Munshi, near the town of Lonavala. Mulshi and the surroundings are abundant with natural beauty that includes a dam, the hilly region of Sahyadri's deep forests and forts like Dhangad and Koraigadh. The water from the dam is used for generating electricity.
Pashan Lake - This lake is situated 12 kms off the road to N.D.A. It is an Ornithologists delight, as it is the favourite haunt of a number of migratory and residential birds. For bird watching, head towards this little lake.
Appu Ghar - Indira Gandhi Udyan situated at Pradhikaran, Nigdi on Pune- Mumbai highway. It is a play park and a mini Disney Land full of wheels, merry-go- round and swings. Both adults and the children enjoy the rides and the fun alike. Reaching there is no problem, as there are direct bus service from the Pune station.
Osho Ashram - Pune has become an international tourist spot because of the
Osho Commune International. Spread over 31 acres of flush green surroundings, it
is the meditation resort to people from over 60-70 different countries. The Osho
Commune offers over 100 different meditation techniques to all the participants. It
has become a must-visit to all the tourists over the world who are on a spiritual
journey.
HOW TO REACH
By plane - Although Pune airport is served by almost all domestic carriers, the number of flights is limited due to the airport functioning primarily as a military facility. Currently, international flights operate only to Dubai and Singapore. If a getting a direct flight proves difficult, then taking a flight to Mumbai and then traveling by taxi or train to Pune is a feasible option. By long-distance private taxi, the journey should take around three hours and costs about Rs 1200. The airport is located in Lohegaon, which is around 20km from the city center, and takes about 45 minutes - 1 hour to reach.
By train - Pune is well connected to other Indian cities by rail, and in particular there is a very frequent service to Mumbai.
