The list of the places to visit in Pune and the list is endless. The modern Pune as a city is fast growing, developing, and turning into an industrial hub as more and more people in search of work and excursion are pouring in daily. The city still exhibits love for traditions, festivals, heritage and culture. The warmth displayed by this city in Maharashtra makes it an interesting affair to visit places when one is in Pune.
Pune was established as a town in 937 AD and was known as Punawadi back in the history. It is the eighth largest metropolis and the second largest in Maharashtra after Mumbai. Pune grew under the rule and monopoly of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaja, the founder of the Maratha Empire. In the modern era, the city is known as the cultural head of Maharashtra. It is well known for its educational facilities, growing industries of glass, sugar etc, cultural activities like theatre, music, literature etc. Hinduism is the major religion seen in the city. Students and other needful people migrate towards this city in numbers uncountable because of the various opportunities that it provides in the various fields. Apart from these tourists in large numbers, throng the city every year because of its rich culture, monuments, heritage and warmth. The latest growth in IT sector in India is presenting the city of Pune as IT hub in western India. Among the many, few of the places to visit in Pune are listed below.
Aga Khan Palace
Shinde Chatri
The Osho Ashram
Saras Baug
Shaniwar Wada
Tribal Museum
Katraj Snake Park
This Park is situated on the Pune Satara Highway near the Bhartiya Vidyapeeth University. It was opened by Neelimkumar Khaire, a snake lover to conserve the snakes and avoid mistreatment to the reptile. All varieties, shape and size of snakes are found here. A library within the park provides full information on the snakes. The major fact is that information about snakes is also provided in Braille fir the blind which attracts such handicapped people to this park. Recently a zoo has also been incorporated which is a great attraction for the students.
Peshwa Udyan Zoo
Popularly called as the Peshwa Udyan Zoo, is much famous among children. Relax here, away from the maddening crowds with your own picnic. The park apart from being a zoo, provides facilities like animal rides and boating for family. The zoo houses many species of wild animals, reptiles as well as birds. There is a toy train called, “Phoolrani” which is ultimate delight for children. Apart from traveling with children and joy ride in toy train, the park also is a perfect place for sightseeing. If one of the more popular spots in the garden is visited in spring, it can be a picturesque time with family and friends, close to nature
Pataleshwar Cave Temple
Parvati Hill temples:
Appu Ghar
David Synagogue
National War Memorial
Bund Garden:
This is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Pune and is also known as Mahatma Gandhi Udhayan. It is located on the right bank of the Mula-Mutha Rivers and was built by Sir Jamshedji Jeejeebhoy to provide the poor with water during hot months of the summers. The adventure enthusiasts can indulge here in boat rides and horse rides.
Shivneri Fort
About 90km away from Pune is this fort built by Sahaji. The fort is arduous to climb as it was a deliberate effort to ensure security from enimies. Jijabai spent her period of pregnancy in this fort and gave birth to great Shivaji Maharaj in 1627. Shivaji was named after the goddess “Shivani” whose temple is also very close by. Shivaji spent his childhood learning his basic knowlede and skills in this fort only. It was through Shivaji’s early lessons and training in this fort that he realised the concept of Swaraj(self-rule). So one can attribute all the contributions of Shivaji Mahraj to his training in this fort.
Film And Television Institute Of India
It is commonly called as FTII and is built on Law College Road and located on the grounds of Prabhat Studios. It was recognized by the Government of India in the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. The Film Enquiry Committee recommended the formation of this institute to impart training in film making to aspiring students. Major courses offered here are music, editing, direction, photography and screen play. Another fact which makes students believe in the institute is that stars like Subhash Ghai, Mani Kaul, Sanjay Leela Bhansali, Shabana Azmi, Jaya Bachchan etc have received their acting training here.
Lal Mahal (Red Palace)
Dating back to the year 1634, was constructed by Sahaji Bhonsale, Shivaji’s father. When Sahaji received territories in Pune from Bijapur Sultanat, he sent his wife, Jijabai, and his son to the city and got the palace built as their residence. In 1998, Lal Mahal came under the management of Pune Municipal Corporation. Lal Mahal has an impressive collection of Shivaji and Jijabai’s pictorial representations, of which one shows young Shivaji plowing land with a golden plough and Jijabai and Guru Dadoji Konddev looking at him. The other major attractions of the Lal Mahal of Pune include four Umbrellas on its terrace and a statue of Jijabai. There is also a beautiful garden inside the palace complex, known as Jijamata Garden. Now the garden has been converted into a children’s garden and is very popular amongst kids as well as senior citizens
