Pune (formerly Poona, the official name until 1978) is the seventh most populous city in India and the second-largest city in Maharashtra, with a population of 7.4 million as of 2020. Several times, it has been titled “India’s most liveable city.” Pune, along with the municipal authorities of PCMC and PMC, as well as the 3 cantonment towns of Camp, Khadki, and Dehu Road, forms the urban core of the renowned Pune Metropolitan Region (PMR). If you are thinking of planning a getaway to Pune, don’t forget to visit these places!
Best places to visit in pune
Dagdusheth Halwai Ganpati Temple
Shreemant Dagdusheth Halwai Ganapati temple, a divine place of worship dedicated to Lord Ganapati, is extremely well known for its religious festivities and is located in Pune, Maharashtra. Every day, a large number of devotees visit the temple to participate in the daily pooja, abhisheka, and Arti of Lord Ganesh. Lord Ganapati’s idol is 2.2 meters high and 1 meter wide, and it is adorned with nearly 40 kilograms of gold. Every day, the temple receives gold and money offerings from Lord Ganapati’s devotees, which are placed in the temple’s trust. Every day from 6 a.m temple is open to 11 p.m.
Shri Dagdusheth Halwai (sweet maker) and his wife, Lakshmibai, founded the temple over 125 years ago. Even today, the temple honors Lord Ganesh with utmost devotion and grandeur, and it is frequented by Maharashtra celebrities and politicians. During the Ganesh festival, the temple is lavishly decorated with colorful lights, attracting both locals and tourists who come to experience the spectacular celebrations.
The Dagdusheth Halwai Ganapati temple trust not only worships Lord Ganpati but also serves humanity in various ways. The trust is one of the wealthiest in Maharashtra and is used to serve humanity by constructing old age homes, housing orphan children, establishing cooperative banks, organizing medical camps and ambulance services, facilitating E-learning in schools, and many other activities. Thousands of women gather for the Atharvashirsha recital, which takes place on the fourth day of Ganeshotsav.
Shaniwar Wada
Shaniwarwada, the former seat of Peshwa governance in Pune, is a 286-year-old mansion and one of the city’s finest examples of architecture. It is now one of the other very popular tourist destinations in Maharashtra. This magnificent mansion was built as the Peshwas’ residence by Peshwa Bajirao I himself. Although the Wada now covers 625 acres, it once covered almost the entire area of the city. The numerous forts and fountains, as well as the majestic statue of Baji Rao I that welcomes visitors at the palace’s entrance, never cease to amaze visitors. Although the majority of the Wada was destroyed by an inexplicable fire in 1828, what remains is impressive.
The Shaniwar Wada, despite being riddled with tales of treachery and deception, is one of the last standing testaments to the Peshwas’ grandeur, valor, and just rule. All around this historic structure, the entire old part of Pune is laid out in a chaotic yet ironically orderly fashion. Around Shaniwar Wada, you’ll find some of Pune’s oldest markets, such as Laxmi Road, Tulshibaug, and Ravivar Peth.
The fort is said to be haunted by the ghost of a former Peshwa king Narayanrao, who was murdered in the palace by his aunt and uncle, Anandi and Raghunathrao, on a full moon night. However, there is no evidence to back up such claims.The Shaniwar Wada is open from 8:00 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. daily. The entrance fee to the palace is INR 5 for Indians and INR 125 for foreigners. It does not include the Light and Sound Show admission fee.
Katraj Snake park
The most famous landmark at the Rajiv Gandhi Zoo, which is situated in Katraj, India, near the city of Pune, is the Katraj Snake Park. The Rajiv Gandhi Zoo is a well-known and grand zoo that spans 130 acres and is managed by the Pune Municipal Corporation. It is divided into three sections: the central zoo, an animal orphanage, and the most well-known: the Katraj Snake Park. Through its wide range of snakes, reptiles, birds, and turtles, the snake park has successfully introduced thousands of visitors to unusual and fascinating wildlife.
The Katraj Snake Park is a time-tested example of how fantastic and fun-filled places do not have to be expensive. The snake park is home to over 22 species of snakes as well as ten species of reptiles, totaling over 150 individuals. A 13-foot-long king cobra is also part of this amazing collection. Mr. Neelam Kumar Khaire, the park’s first director, established the Katraj Snake Park in 1986 with guidance from the Pune Municipal Corporation on the land that would later become the Rajiv Gandhi Zoological Park. Since then, the park has attracted tens of thousands of nature and animal lovers.
The Snake Park organizes a plethora of snake festivals and snake awareness programs in order to dispel people’s misconceptions about snakes and to dispel their fears of snakes. During Nag Panchami, the park also organizes programs aimed at discouraging snake mistreatment. Cobras, Pythons, and Russell’s vipers are among the snake species. When you think of Katraj Snake Park, words like joy, laughter, fun, and family moments come to mind. This is why a visit to this tourist attraction is essential if you want to reconnect with your lost childhood and adventurous side.
The Katraj Snake Park is open daily from 10:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., except Wednesdays.The Katraj Snake Park admission fee is as follows:
- Adults pay INR 3 per person.
- INR 2 per person for children.
Aga Khan Palace
The magnificent Aga Khan Palace is located in Pune and was built in 1892 by Sultan Muhammed Shah Aga Khan III. It is one of the most significant landmarks in Indian history and has played a role in many pivotal moments in India’s independence.
It was once when Mahatma Gandhi, his wife Kasturba Gandhi, Sarojini Naidu, and Mahadev Desai were imprisoned. The Aga Khan Palace is well-known for both its architectural excellence and historical significance. The palace, which sits on 19 acres of land, is now the headquarters of the Gandhi National Memorial Society. Making khadi is still one of the most important activities in this region.
The Sultan built the palace to help the poor in neighboring areas who were suffering from famine. Architect Charles Corea had memorials to Kasturba Gandhi and Mahadev Desai built on the palace grounds in their honor. The palace houses a museum with a large collection of paintings. There are also other items, such as Gandhi’s personal belongings.
The ashes of Mahatma Gandhi are also interred on the grounds of the Palace. The monument was designated as of national significance in 2003. The Aga Khan Palace is located 7 kilometers from the heart of Pune. You can get there by city bus or auto-rickshaw. However, hiring an autorickshaw is more convenient because it will take you directly to the palace. You can also take a taxi from any location in the city to the Aga Khan Palace.
Osho Ashram
Osho Ashram, located in Pune’s Koregaon Park, is known for its serenity and bizarre practices of meditation and love to achieve divinity. It is popularly known as the Osho Meditation Resort, and it is a one-of-a-kind combination of meditation and the Greek concept of a resort stay. The Ashram is a serene setting that transports you to your own center of peace, meditation, and oneness. Osho’s ideologies can also be found here. The Osho Ashram is shrouded in mystery, awe, and mysticism, and is only accessible to its members. Non-members must purchase a one-day pass to enter the premises.
Osho Ashram, which was founded in 1974, receives a large number of visitors throughout the year, particularly foreigners. This exciting and intense location has a distinct atmosphere. Throughout the day, members can participate in a variety of dynamic meditation sessions and therapies. Those interested can choose between the Osho guesthouse and the Osho living in the program, depending on their preferences.
Dynamic meditation, Vipassana meditation, Nadabrahma meditation, Kundalini meditation; the list is endless at Osho Ashram. Their teachings primarily focus on mind control, meditation, Sannyas, and renunciation.
Nightlife in Pune
Pune has over a hundred pubs and nightclubs, and it is one of the few cities in India where pubs extend their closing time until 4 a.m. A weekend getaway would be ideal for taking in the laid-back atmosphere, dancing your worries away, and refueling your depleted self with some delectable food and cocktails.
The places to enjoy the nightlife in Pune are:
- Swig– If you are the ideological purist who enjoys going to a vibrant place that exudes fun, music, dance, drinks, and magic, this is a must-see. The one-of-a-kind club-turned-lounge invites all types of artists to unleash the magic with a full-on extravaganza, including musicians, painters, dancers, and sculptors. The decor is delightful and gives you a warm atmosphere, and the staff is friendly.
It is located at 28/2, SBI Training Centre, North Main Road, Koregaon Park, Pune.
Highlights include live Hindi Fusion musical performances as well as live sports screenings. The approximate cost for two is INR 1500.
- Mi A Mi-Mi A Mi, a club designed in the style of an underground garage, houses a large dance floor! Mi A Mi frequently hires the best DJ in town to play the latest dance music. This club in Pune is popular among partygoers, and if you are one of them, this is the place to be! It is situated at Senapati Bapat Road, JW Marriott, Pune. The highlight of the place includes a white bed lounge section where you can spend the night talking with your loved ones. The approximate cost for two is INR 2500.
- Mix@36- This Pune nightlife destination is located in a fancy hotel with a panoramic view of the Mula-Mutha river and can take you on a revitalizing journey. The bar and seating arrangements, which are illuminated by a series of LED lights, will provide you with an enthralling experience. If you want to enjoy Pune’s nightlife in all its glory while hanging out with a couple of friends under a starry sky, while enjoying irresistible relishes and drinks, this is the place to be. It is located at 36/3-B, Koregaon Park Annexe, Mundhwa Road, Ghorpadi, Pune, Maharashtra 411001, and highlights include the following: After-Party Location
The approximate cost for two is INR 4000.
Rajmachi fort
Rajmachi is a small village located in Maharashtra’s Konkan region, in the Sahyadri mountain range. Rajmachi is well-known for its historical fortress, which has two fortified peaks – Shrivardhan and Manaranjan forts – and is located near the two well-known hills of Lonavala and Khandala.
Udhewadi, this other name for Rajmachi, is situated at the foot of the fort. Rajmachi has passed through many hands, including those of Shivaji Maharaj, Emperor Aurangzeb, Shahu Maharaj, and, finally, the British. Rajmachi Fort is well-known among trekkers and outdoor enthusiasts. If you want to do a full-fledged trek, you can start from the side of the Kondhane cave, which will take 3-4 hours of climbing, but you can also drive right up to Udhewadi village (from the Lonavala side) and start from there. Rajmachi is a popular beginner’s trek due to the simple and well-marked trail on both paths.
Panshet Water Park
Panshet Water Park is one of the top places to visit in and around Pune. It is well-known for its adventurous sports and activities, and it is located between the Varasgaon and Panshet Dams. As a result, if water sports and fun are on your mind, you should pay a visit to this attraction. The waterpark is located in the Pune District, a few kilometers from the Khadakwasla Dam.
This waterpark, located in the Sahyadri mountains, will provide you with an unforgettable experience. This waterpark, built by the tourism department, is the ideal getaway for families and friends who enjoy fun and adventure. Plan a weekend trip to the Panshet Waterpark to enjoy spending time with your loved ones while also enjoying the luxury of fine dining at reasonable prices. And with it, the opportunity to create a plethora of memories for you to cherish is something that will motivate you to return to this location more frequently.
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Hope you enjoyed the segment and enjoy your getaway to Pune!!
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