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A lone cloud floats over the Deccan plateau. It’s shadow slides gently over the Mutha River before passing over a bustling city. A city that simultaneously exudes a youthful exuberance and a quiet dignity. Where the Aga Khan Palace and the Omkareshwar temple raise their heads proudly amidst modern buildings and apartments. Where the sweet crumble of the Shrewsbury biscuit and the spiced flakes of the bakarwadi are equally revered. Where serene hill stations are just a ride away. Where music of every genre drifts up from festivals like Nh7. This is the city of Pune, in all its perfection.
| Pune Tourism: A Quick View of the City | |
| State | Maharashtra |
| Official Language | Marathi, Hindi, English, Gujarati |
| Dial Code | 020 |
| Population | 6.772 million |
| Currency | Indian Rupee (INR) |
| Time Zone | GMT +5:30 (IST) |
| Area | 331.26 square kilometres |
In the midst of this busy metropolis are serene spots of worship from a variety of religions. If you’re looking for opportunities and the removal of obstacles, why not visit the Dadgusheth Halwai Ganpati Temple? Built in decoratively carved tiers and coated with layers of flowers, this temple is one of the most famous Ganpati temples in Maharashtra. If ancient history is on your mind, why not wander over to Omkareshwar temple – one of the biggest and oldest temples in Pune – built during the Peshwa regime. Feel the pulsing energy of Shakti at the Parvati Hill temple, as you climb the 103 stone steps that lead to the idol. Head to Khadki Bazaar where you’ll find the weathered walls of the All Saints Church or make a trip to Ghorpuri where the snow white “Mother Church of the Deccan”, St. Mary’s is located.
A busy city like Pune can excite and appeal to many. However, for the quieter moments, one can always look to the neighbouring hill stations. Drive up to the emerald green embraces of Lonavala, Khandala, Panchgani and Mahabaleshwar. Enjoy the European enchantment of Lavasa – a planned city near Pune – that is modelled on the Italian town Portofino. These hill stations offer lush green slopes, swollen streams, weeping waterfalls, crisp cold air and the clouds for company. Little slices of heaven for your enjoyment. Once you’ve caught your breath in these charming getaways, you can take a quick ride to dive back into the excitement of Pune city.
Pune is home to a lot of young students looking to find their futures. However, if you peel back that layer of modernity, its past shines through. You’ll find it in the creamy walls of the Aga Khan Palace – used as a prison of sorts for Mahatma Gandhi and other patriots. Shaniwar Wada speaks of Pune’s power struggles, blending Mughal and Marathi architectural styles. However, behind the stern brown grey walls are polished marble floors and sparkling chandeliers. If you’re in search of historical forts, you won’t have to walk far to visit the imposing Sinhagad Fort perched on the cliffs of the Sahyadri range. The iron-strong walls of the imposing Lohagad fort are tempered by the soft brushes of green moss and moody clouds. 100 km away from Pune is the Shivneri Fort, with a mirror-like pond named Badami in its depths.
After a pleasant day in the city, turn up the temperature at some of Pune’s best pubs and clubs. The city is home to over 100 different pubs and nightclubs, some of which stay open till the wee hours of the morning. Find your fill of scrumptious food and chilled cocktails at Shortcut, Penthouze, Oak Lounge, The House of Medici and more.
You know what pairs perfectly with Pune’s perfect weather? The best cuisine the city has to offer! Take a bite of the beautiful Bakwardi – crisp rolls stuffed with spices, dig into the thick golden perfection of Amti daal, scoop up a spoonful of pearly, soft Sabudana khichdi, sink into the soft buns encasing the crispy potato patty known as Vada pav. In the summers head to Mastani, where you can beat the heat with a chilled, blended ice cream and milkshake. Finally, on your way back, clear some room in your suitcase for the golden disks from Kayani Bakery, known as Shrewsbury.
If the Deccan plateau was a tiara, Pune would be her crown jewel. Located on the Western edge of the Deccan plateau, the city is at an altitude of 560 m (1,840 ft) above sea level. It is protected from the great sweeps of the Arabian sea by the rocky barrier of the Sahyadri mountain range. The old city of Pune lies where the Mula and Mutha rivers meet. The smooth ribbons of the Pavana (a tributary of Mula) and Indrayani (a tributary of the Bhima river) twist their way through the north western suburbs of Pune.
The city is surrounded by other geographical gems – Raigad district lies in the West, Satara District in the South, Solapur District in the southeast, Thane in the Northwest and Ahmednagar in the north and northeast.
Click here to view Pune on Google Map
If you want to sum up Pune’s weather in one word, it would be pleasant. The city courteously opens its doors to travellers from around the globe all year, greeting them with soft winds and calm skies. From July to February the weather gods bless Pune – first with rain, and then with chilly winter weather.
In the monsoon season, the skies are laden with a thick layer of clouds that wash the city in hues of grey and green. Unfortunately, the rain can be a bit overenthusiastic leading to flooded streets and congested roads. Towards September, the rain eases, leading to the occasional drizzle.
The pleasant weather is interrupted by a stark rise in temperature during summers. Slather on your sunscreen before you head to explore the city. Luckily, the evenings bring cool winds and a significant drop in temperature.
By Road - If you’re in Mumbai, Pune is a convenient 150 kilometres away via the Mumbai-Pune expressway. You can catch buses from different cities in the country, including Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Nashik, Udaipur, Indore and more. Or you can choose to drive down in your own car.
By Rail - Pune Junction welcomes all trains that roll into her embrace. Several mail and express trains, from all parts of the country, thunder their way into this station. Hop on board the Deccan Queen or the Shatabdi Express, until you make your way to Pune Junction.
By Air - Pune city boasts of its own port for the skies – Lohegaon airport, which is a 10 to 11-kilometre drive from the centre of the city. Many different domestic carriers fly their way to the airport, and you can also catch international flights to Dubai, Frankfurt and Abu Dhabi from this airport.
The name Pune has emerged from many variations on the original – showing the significance and dynamism of this city.
The earliest record of Pune’s existence is on a Copper plate from the Rashtrakuta Dynasty, dated 937 CE. It refers to the area as Punya-Vishaya, which translates to “sacred news”. By the 13th century, it was called Punawadi.
Many powerful empires fought for control of Pune – the victorious ones were the Rashtrakutas, Seuna Yadavas of Devagiri, the Ahmadnagar Sultanate, the Mughals and the Maratha empire. In 1720, Baji Rao I was appointed Peshwa of the Maratha empire and moved his base to Pune.
The Peshwas were defeated in the Battle of Khadki, in 1817, and the city was seized by the British. During the British rule, the city was known as Poona. During the struggle for Indian Independence, the city served as a base for firebrands like Gopal Krishna Gokhale and Bal Gangadhar Tilak. Our very own Father of the Nation - Mahatma Gandhi -was imprisoned in Yerawada Jail several times.
When India was liberated from British Rule, Pune blossomed into a modern-day metropolis.
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