Pune Things To Do | Best Places to Visit in Pune

The Vishrambaug Wada

The Vishrambaug Wada was the home of Peshwa Baji Rao II.

A gorgeous and exciting tourist destination, Bhimashankar is a small town in Pune, Maharashtra popular for the Bhimashankar temple, nature, trekking and bird sanctuary. Situated in the lush and lofty ghat region of Sahaydari hills, it is a serene weekend getaway from the bustling cities of Mumbai and Pune.

Bhimashankar Temple

A primaeval jyotirlinga shrine, it lies on the banks of the Bhima river 50 km northwest of Khed. The temple is a beautiful mélange of old and new graceful nagara style architecture skillfully built by the ancient Vishwakarma sculptors in the 13th century. The sabha mandap and the main shikhara of the temple were built in the 18th century by Nana Phadnavis and the unique huge Roman-style bell engraved with a cross in front of the temple was presented by Chimaji Appa as an award of his victory in the war against the Portuguese.

Legend has it that an evil, Bhima was creating havoc in the Trilok – hell, heaven and netherworld and all the Gods beseeched Lord Shiva to come to their rescue. Lord Shiva appeared before him and slayed Bhima ending his tyranny and the war. After the battle, while resting in the Sahyadri hills, the sweat trickling down from his body started forming the river Bhima. Lord Shiva was requested by the sages to make this place his dwelling and hence the jyotirlinga had manifested.

Owing to the presence of the sacred jyotirlinga of Lord Shiva, it is one of the most popular attractions and a pilgrimage site for Lord Shiva’s devotees. The timings of the temple are 4:30 am to 9:30 pm.

The surrounding panorama of the temple is stippled with Buddha style carvings of Amba-Ambika, Bhootling and Bhimashankar in the nearby hills of Manmaad at a height of 1034 metres

Wildlife Sanctuary

Bhimashankar spread over a dense forest area of over 120 square kilometres, was declared a wildlife sanctuary in 1984 to preserve the highly rich diverse flora and fauna found in the Sahyadri ranges. From the rare Indian giant squirrel ‘Shekaru’ to leopards, hyena, boar, jackal, langur, deer and other various species of animals, insects and reptiles are found aplenty in this luscious green beautiful hills.

To enjoy the core of the forest, you can embark on a jungle safari and traverse through the dense luxurious evergreen vegetation and get a glimpse of the wildlife alongside. The safari rides are conducted from 6 am to 6 pm.

A paradise for bird lovers, the sanctuary is a haven for exotic and endangered species of birds such as Malabar Grey Hornbill, Nilgiri Wood Pigeon, Quaker Babbler, Black Eagle, Malabar Whistling Thrush, Malabar Pied Hornbill etc.

Trekking

Trekking to Bhimashankar temple and sanctuary begins from a quaint village, Khandas. There are two trekking routes:

Ganesh Ghat – This ghat is named after the Ganesha temple that comes on the way. Less difficult, it is an 8 kms’ and 4 hours’ downhill trek through the Paddar Killa Rock Tower and Nagphani Peak – a snake hooded shaped peak.

Sidhi Ghat – Sidhi Ghat is named after the three ladders that are placed along some tricky sections on this trail to Bhimashankar. A more perfidious route, this uphill trek is shorter and takes 2 hours to complete and is more suitable for experienced trekkers. It is more steep, riskier and slippery as the ladders have long vertical steps with cracks and crevices in between. This trek covers Kondana caves – eight ancient Buddhist caves baroqued with carvings and sculptures and a majestic waterfall before merging with the Ganesh Ghat trail at the Chahacha Aamba.

The best time to visit Bhimashankar is from October to February during the winter season as the climate is pleasant and perfect for treks and exploration. During summers it gets unbearably hot and heavy rainfall is received during the monsoons making it unfavourable for trekking.

Highlights

1. The architecture of the Bhimashankar temple brilliantly showcases the excellent skills of the ancient Vishwakarma sculptors.

2. Though tricky, it serves as an exotic location for trekkers as the route is embellished with luscious dense forest, rocky terrains, small rivulets of glistening water and ancient caves.

3. The dense, luscious rainforest, hills and waterfalls with breathtaking and awe-inspiring views and the rare and diverse species of flora, fauna and birds make Bhimashankar an excellent tourist spot for nature lovers and trekkers.

Interesting Facts About Bhimashankar

1. The temple has undergone several renovations that were carried out by the Peshwas

2. The forest has around 14 sacred groves of trees which are believed to be the origin place of many species of flora and fauna.

3. Every year, before the arrival of monsoon, the Bhorgiri village comes alive with thousands of fireflies settled on the ground, hovering in the air or lighting up the trees around. It is a truly stunning spectacle to witness.

Recommended For

A weekend getaway with family and friends

Nature/Adventure Lovers

Trekkers

How to get to Bhimashankar

Air: The nearest airport is the Pune airport and then a two and a half hours’ drive from there to Bhimashankar

Train: The nearest railway station is the Pune station which is well linked with most of the cities in India. From there, Bhimashankar is nearly 100 kms’ drive.

Road: There are regular private and state bus services from Mumbai and Pune. Cabs and private cars can also be hired.

Location

Pune, Maharashtra

https://www.google.co.in/maps/place/Bhimashankar,+Maharashtra/@19.0736672,73.5294838,16z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x3bdd596b4dab6e0d:0x130b352babcc1732!8m2!3d19.0719691!4d73.5356936

Nature

Pune is green and well maintained. However, to make it greener, there are ecological societies working on this prospect.

Pune University

The Pune University is one of the most important landmarks in the city.

Places

Marleshwar (264km), Durshet (97km), Lonavala (65km), Matheran (120km, KHandala (68km), Mahabaleshwar (120km), Dapoli (197km) and so on and so fore are a few tourist locations around Pune which can be visited making Pune the epicentre.

Aba Bagul Garden

With huge animal statues located all over in the park; it also has a musical fountain. Clicking pictures with the animal statues is one of the best things to do in Pune.

Saras Baug

Saras Baug is one of the major tourist attractions of Pune, India. It is a massive garden covering an area of around 25 acres, filled with magnificent greenery and a serene atmosphere. It got its name from the ‘Sarus’ cranes, frequently seen within the bounds of this beautiful garden. The place is not just popular among tourists but also a favourite spot for the locals. Apart from its natural elegance, Saras Baug in Pune is known for its deep history. The Saras Baug area used to be occupied by a small lake, which eventually dried out and was developed into a garden in the 20th century. The Ganesh Temple within the garden complex, known as Talyatla Ganapati, was built under the orders of Nanasaheb Peshwe in the mid-18th century. The construction of the temple began in 1750 and took 34 years to complete. It used to be the secret meeting point of the Marathas, where they discussed military tactics during that era.

It is one of the best places to visit in Pune City to hang out with friends and family amidst the tranquillity of nature. A few hours at this location will help you rejuvenate and freshen your mind away from bustling city life. There are a lot of things to do in Saras Baug, for example, you can take casual strolls along the vast garden area, host picnics with friends and family, visit the Ganesh Temple to enhance your spiritual outlook, take pictures amidst the natural beauty, etc. In addition, there are many prominent restaurants and street food vendors just outside Saras Baug, where you can enjoy a delicious meal during or after your garden visit. Individuals can also check out the local Saras Baug market near the garden.

Location

The famous Saras Baug is located in Pune City, Maharashtra. The garden lies at the foot of Parvati Hill, close to the Mahalaxmi Temple. The distance from Mumbai to Pune is around 150 kilometres, and the garden is about 2.5 kilometres from the Pune city centre, which is about a 10-minute journey by car. The official address of Saras Baug is Saras Baug Road, Municipal Colony, Pune, Pin- 411 030. Another major nearby landmark of Saras Baug is Swargate, just 1.5 kilometres away via Khadakmal Ali Road. Some people mistake Saras Baug Deonar in Mumbai for this garden, so make sure to properly learn about the address before setting out.

Language spoken in Saras Baug

Saras Baug is located in Pune, so the language spoken in the region is primarily Marathi. It is the official and the most commonly used language in the state. Besides Marathi, the two other common languages spoken in the area are English and Hindi. Tourists visiting Saras Baug Pune will not have any issues while communicating if they are fluent in any of these three languages.

Known for?

Saras Baug is one of Pune’s main tourist attractions and is known for various things. For instance, the garden is famous for its:

Natural beauty- The vast garden is covered with lush greenery, offering a beautiful and serene getaway from the concrete lifestyle of the city. Tall trees, grassy fields and colourful flowers help enhance the mesmerising scenic charm of the garden.

The Ganesh Temple- The Sarasbaug Ganpati Temple within the garden is one of its most popular highlights. The beautiful shrine is dedicated to Lord Ganesha and attracts thousands of devotees from around the region.

Good food- The Saras Baug Chowpatty, just outside the garden, has numerous food stalls where individuals can try some of the most delicious street food in Pune.

History- The garden and the temple are closely tied to the history of the region, with their origin dating back to the early 18th-20th century.

Overview of Saras Baug

The Saras Baug in Pune is a massive garden located at the heart of the city. It is referred to as a great picnic spot and a serene location to spend some peaceful time in the region. Besides these, the garden complex is also home to the famous SarasBaug Ganpati Temple, making it one of the most popular spiritual landmarks in Pune. The place used to have a zoo, locally referred to as Saras Baug Zoo, which closed down in 2005, just six years after being opened to the public.

How to get to Saras Baug?

Getting to Saras Baug is very easy, thanks to the various transport options available in the region. Here are some popular methods you can consider:

By air:

The Pune International Airport offers great air connectivity to the city with other major cities in India, as well as various parts of the world. It is served by popular carriers, including Air India, Jet Airways, SpiceJet, etc., with the availability of frequent domestic and international flights. After landing at the airport, individuals can take the local bus service or hire a taxi to reach Saras Baug, which is about 15 kilometres away.

By train:

The railway connectivity of Pune is also great, offering affordable and convenient transport options to tourists. The Pune Junction Railway Station is just 7 kilometres from Saras Baug and connects Pune with major cities in the state and the rest of India. Once you have landed at the train station, you can hire a taxi to reach Saras Baug, which takes around 30 minutes.

By road:

Pune is well-connected with the neighbouring cities in Maharashtra and the rest of India by road. Depending on the starting point, individuals can book a rental car or drive in their private vehicle to Pune’s SarasBaug via a route that is convenient to them. In addition, the Swargate Bus Depot is located close to Saras Baug, so individuals can opt for a journey on a state transport bus and cover the remaining distance to the garden by a cab or an auto-rickshaw.

Interesting facts about Saras Baug in Pune

Here are some interesting facts about Saras Baug Pune that everyone should know about before visiting this popular tourist attraction:

The area of the Saras Baug garden was once covered by a small lake. After the lake had dried, the land was developed into a garden during the 20th century.

A zoo was added during the last renovation, called “Peshwe Park” to the garden complex. It was opened to the public back in 1999 but was closed just six years later, in 2005. The animals of the Peshwe Park were moved to Rajiv Gandhi Zoological Park, located 6 kilometres south of Saras Baug.

A small museum was added to the temple premises within Saras Baug in 1995. It houses more than hundreds of Lord Ganesha idols and is open to tourists.

Initially, the Ganapati Temple in the park was surrounded by a lake, which is why it was named “Talyatla Ganpati”. It was used by the Marathas to discuss military tactics and strategies against the British Empire and the Nizam, during the 18th and 19th centuries.

Saras Baug got its name from the beautiful Sarus Cranes that are commonly seen in the area.

The Sarasbaug Ganpati temple sees thousands of visitors every day. This number grows to around eighty thousand during the time of special occasions, like Ganesh Chaturthi.

Why is Saras Baug recommended?

Pune’s Saras Baug is among the most visited tourist attractions in the region. It offers a much-needed break amidst nature and its peaceful environment to both locals and tourists. Apart from its natural beauty, individuals visit the garden to relive a part of the region’s rich history. The Saras Baug is also one of the most recommended places to visit on a Pune trip. The garden is home to the famous Ganesh Temple, which attracts devotees and tourists from all over India. Sarasbaug Ganpati live darshan is one of the must-do things when visiting Pune.

Tourists and locals also recommend visiting Saras Baug for family picnics within Pune. The charming views, serene atmosphere and availability of delicious street food make it an ideal location to gather around and spend time with friends and family. In addition, this garden is a great place for clicking pictures within the city.

Operating hours

Saras Baug in Pune remains open every day of the week, all year round. Its official operating hours are from 06:00 AM to 09:00 PM. However, the operating hours of the temple and museum within the garden premises may vary slightly. If you have any queries regarding the garden or the temple, you can dial the Saras Baug contact number, which is 08928720415, and enquire about them.

Saras Baug Sightseeing Table

Name	Operating hours	Ticket Price
Saras Baug Garden	6 AM to 9 PM	No entry fee
Sarasbaug Ganpati Temple	5 AM to 8 PM	No entry fee
Museum	5 AM to 8 PM	INR 5 per person

Raja Dinkar Kelkar

Raja Dinkar Kelkar Museum, which dates back to the century 14th, has a tragic story of the untimely death of Kelkar’s son Raja, and a collection of art items from 18th and 19th centuries that is dedicated to his son. The ‘Mastani Mahal’, the palace of Baji Rao I’s wife Mastani, illustrated by Kelkar is one chief interest if the museum.

Other than that, the Railway Museum is equally interesting.

Religious Places

The Parvati Temple on the Parvati Hill, the Chatursinghi Temple, the Pataleshwar Temple, the Dagadusheth Halwai Ganapati Temple, the ‘Samadhi’ of the Bhakti saints are to name a few, which are the prominent religious places visited by the followers of Hinduism.

Muslims constitute a major part of the population of Pune, raking second largest in number. The Chand Tara Mosque, Jama masjid and the Azam Campus Masjid have beautiful architecture as well other than the religious significances attached with them.

The Roman Catholic Diocese of Pune is a beautiful church, a branch of the Mumbai Ecclesiastical province.

With a huge number of Jews who speak Marathi, the Ohel David Synagogue or the ‘Lal Deval’ is of huge importance.