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