Pune is the second largest city in Maharashtra next to Mumbai. It is also one of the most culturally rich cities in India. Because of the many educational institutes it has, it is known as the Oxford of India. It is a major business and economical hub in the country. Because of its natural terrain and proximity to hill stations like Lonavla, it is frequented by residents of Mumbai city as a weekend getaway.
History :
Pune derives its name from Punya Nagari or the city of virtuous deeds. In recent archaeological research, it was discovered that Pune had ancient links with Rome. Though further research is still in progress, it was discovered that Pune had trade links with not just the Roman Empire but also with the Greeks and Persians dating over 2,000 years back.
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 (1635-1657).
Source: wikipedia / wikitravel
Pune has a tropical climate. The summer is extremely hot, the maximum temperature being 40 ° C., and the winter is cold with temperature dropping to 4 to 5 ° C.
The Indian Rupee (INR) is the acceptable form of currency here. There are many money changers and ATM's around town. Credit cards/debit cards are accepted at most major locations.
A tourist visa applicable for the entire country (India) is sufficient.
By Air: Pune has a domestic airport with flights to most major cities in India. Jet Airways connects Pune to Bangalore, Chennai, Delhi, Kolkata and Mumbai. Indian connects Pune to Bangalore, Delhi, Goa, Hyderabad. Kingfisher connects Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Chennai, Delhi,Kolkata. Other airline operators also connect Pune to other cities in India. International Flight :Pune has an international airport. 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 Road: Pune is served by three national highways (NH) and an expressway.
It takes about three hours to get from Pune to Mumbai airport on the Pune-Mumbai Highway. Both private and state owned companies operate luxury buses on this route, and run 24 hours service with buses departing every fifteen minutes. MRSTC buses charge around Rs 185 (Non AC) and Rs 250 (AC) for the journey. NH 4 also connects Pune to Mumbai.
NH 9 runs to Machhlipatnam, Andhra Pradesh and passes through Karnataka State and the cities of Solapur, Homnabad, Hyderabad and Vijaywada.
NH 50 is an inter-state highway and connects the city with Nashik.
Share Cabs operate on the popular Pune City Station to Dadar T, Mumbai route
By Rail: Pune is well connected to other Indian cities by rail and in particular there is a very frequent service to Mumbai. The city has two railway stations, Pune and Shivajinagar. Local trains connect Pune to the industrial towns of Khadki, Pimpri and Chinchwad, and Lonavala. A new broad gauge line between Karjat and Panvel has shortened the distance between Pune and Mumbai by 30 Kilometers. There are reqular trains from Pune to most major cities in India.
Getting Around - Trekking The outskirts of Pune is extremely popular trekking spots with the people of Maharashtra. Mountaineers, hikers and trekkers are guaranteed to have their share of adventure.
Source: wikipedia/wikitravel
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 arts and crafts 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 established 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 committee 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.
St. Mary's Church - A beautiful church built by the British in 1825.
Saras Garden - A Ganesh Temple stands in the middle of the garden. It was built by Peshwa Bajirao II.
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 leads 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.
Pune University, . The site of Poona University, stately mansions at Ganeshkhind built in Italian-Gothic style was the official residence of the Governor of Mumbai during the monsoon season. The 300m high tower beckons to all these who come here in the pursuit of higher education. It is one of the oldest universities of India.
Fergusson College,. Built in 1885,the College boasts of a beautiful tree-lined campus with smooth rolling hills in the background.
Katraj - A famous Jain Temple and a Snake Park are located here.
Pataleshwar Caves - This 8th century rock cut temple is hidden in the heart of the city, in the midst of modern high rise structures and developments, at Shivajinagar. Reminiscent of Ellora, the temple has been carved out of a single boulder of awe inspiring size which includes massive pillars, a Shiva shrine and a Nandi bull. The temple is used by worshippers even today.
Source: wikipedia/wikitravel
Fergusson College
Image By Wikipedia User Mukul Hinge Image is in Public Domain
Shopping: The best place to go for shopping in Pune is Lakshmi Road. It is the oldest shopping destination in Pune.
Pune has its very own variety of Thick milk-shakes with ice-cream scoops topped with chopped dried fruits called Mastani. Notable places are Sujata Cold Drinks, Gurjur Mastani and Kavre Cold Drinks. Light snacks like fresh potato chips called wafers, a fried spicy snack called Chiwda- a fried potato pattie, and bun sandwich called Vada pav are available everywhere.
Source: wikipedia / wikitravel
There are many luxury hotels, guest houses and comfortable hotels where you can stay.
Source: wikipedia / wikitravel
Mumbai: It is the largest city in India and one of the most populous cities in the world. The city is home to Bollywood, the largest film industry in the world. Mumbai attracts migrants from all over India because of the immense employment opportunities and the relatively high standard of living.
Lonavala: It is a hill station in Pune district in the Indian state of Maharashtra. It is about 64 km away from Pune. It is famous throughout India for the hard candy sweet known as Chikki and is also a major stop on the rail line connecting Mumbai and Pune.
Khandala: It is a hill station in the Western Ghats in the state of Maharashtra, India, about three kilometres from Lonavala. Due to the ease of accessibility from nearby cities, Khandala is a common area for hiking. One destination is the nearby peak of Duke's Nose, which offers a panaromic view of Khandala and the Bhor Ghat.
