This is one city in Maharashtra that has transformed from a quiet village to a major IT centre and busy metropolis in a matter of years. Pune, which has a storied history, has been ruled by a number of historic dynasties and has inherited something from each. Numerous temples and monuments bear witness to this. With all the customs and moral etiquettes from the past, Pune has developed a distinct culture that people adhere to.
Pune is renowned for its Peshwa-style structures, which continue to captivate onlookers. Shaniwarwada is a prime example of this. It was once a refuge of splendour and pleasures for the Peshwas, but was devastated to ashes by fire. The ruins, on the other hand, serve as a stark reminder of the vanquished magnanimity. Tourists continue to be enchanted by the foreboding gates and castles. The sixteen-petal lotus-shaped fountain in the Palace’s courtyard is an architectural marvel. The Raja Dinkar Kelkar Museum is one of the greatest locations in the area for experiencing the past. It contains antiquities dating all the way back to the Mughals and the Marathas. A part of the Mastani Palace is a notable attraction here. Bajirao constructed it for his beloved Mastani. There is also an intriguing music gallery there. A tortoise-shaped veena and an early twentieth-century phonograph are among the exhibited antiques.
The Aga Khan Palace is another significant historical landmark in Pune. It is well-known for its ties to the Father of the Nation, who spent time here. It has a vast collection of Gandhi artefacts and photographs from his days of struggle. The courtyard even has Kasturba Gandhi’s Samadhi, where she died. The Mahatma Phule Wada is another significant historical structure in Pune. Former house of Jyotiba Phule, it is now a museum displaying memorabilia associated with him.
Pune has also inherited several fascinating and respected temples. The Sarasbaug Temple, dedicated to Siddhivinayak, is one of the most well-known in this region. It averages ten thousand visits each day and may reach eighty thousand during festivities such as Ganesh Chaturthi. On the Parvati Hill, which is famed for the same, there are several temples. The hilltop is reached through a 108-step staircase that leads to temples devoted to Parvati, Vishnu, Ganesh, Kartikeya, and Devadeshwar. According to popular mythology, the Parvati Temple formerly had a pure gold idol that was taken and replaced with a silver statue polished in gold.
Pune has gained worldwide prominence as the location of the Osho International Meditation Resort. It is a heaven for anyone seeking a respite, sprawling across 40 acres of natural greenery. Disciples are taught here in Osho’s meditation, stress-relief, and massage practises. Pune is also home to the Film and Television Institute of India. It is widely regarded as the premier acting school in the nation, having produced some of the industry’s finest talents. The school offers courses in directing, editing, screenwriting, photography, and music. Khadakwasala is home to the National Defence Academy. It is a combined services school that educates cadets from the Army, Navy, and Air Force. All cadets get training prior to being assigned to their respective institutions.
Pune, like any other big city in the nation, offers a plethora of dining alternatives and practically all prominent cuisines are readily accessible. However, it is not the posh restaurants that provide the tastiest food, but the modest cafés and bakeries. They are mostly family-owned and feature their own specialty dishes.
Pune’s commercialization has resulted in an increase in the number of hotels. Several well-known businesses have established themselves there and provide the greatest alternatives in the luxury market. There are also some reasonably priced accommodations for budget-conscious guests. Visitors visiting Pune may always be certain of securing a room at their preferred hotel.
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