Pune
is Maharashtra's second city, which lies close to the Western Ghat
Mountains, on the edge of the Deccan plains as they stretch away
to the east. Pune is the cultural capital of the Maratha people,
which is also known as the "Queen of the Deccan." Pune
is a contrast of history and modernism. Pune is considered as the
Oxford of India – with its many educational and research institutions
apart from other institutions for sports, yoga, ayurveda, culture
and social services.Pune is nowadays also seen as a potential city
for massive growth of Information Technology.
Tourist
Destinations:
» National
Defence Acadamy
The
training centre of future Indian army officers, National Defence
Academy (NDA) is a must visit destination in the city. Situated
at Khadakwasala, 17 km from Pune, NDA is the only academy
in the world where all the three forces are trained
together.
Seeing the cadets taking training and even punishment with picturesque
and lush greenery at the backdrop, gives a unique experience altogether.
Yes, permission is required to enter into this high security zone.
» Raja
Kelkar Museum
Established
by Baba Dinkar Kelkar in 1962, the Raja Dinkar Kelkar Museum has
20,000 different articles all personally collected by Baba Kelkar
from all over the world that date back to even Mughal and Maratha
period. The musical gallery with nearly all types of musical instruments
is the prime attraction of the museum showing Baba Kelkar's love
for the music and art. The museum remains open all days in the week
from 9 am to 6 pm.
» Shaniwar
Wada
Magnificent
18th century palace of the Peshwas stands gracefully spreading the
glorious tincture of city's pride, whose foundation was laid by
Bajirao 1. Burnt down in a fire in 1827, the remains still fascinate
people so much that tourists coming to Pune, make it a point to
visit this majestic place at least once. Walls painted with scenes
from Ramayana and Mahabharata, a sixteen petal lotus-shaped fountain
and those huge bastions and gates stand testimony to the imperial
past of Shaniwar Wada.
» Aga
Khan Palace
The
imposing Aga Khan Palace situated at Nagar Road is a must visit
destination in Pune for housing the famous Gandhi National Museum
in it. Gandhiji, along with his wife Kasturba were interned at the
palace for almost two years from August 9, 1942 to May 6, 1944 just
after the launch of Quit India Movement. Gandhiji lost his consort
Kasturba here in the palace and her samadhi graces the palaces campus.
You can even go through the letters, pictures and other memorabilia
telling the story of the Father of the Nation.
» How
to reach Pune
By
Air : Airport is situated in the Lohagaon area, about 12-km from
the city. Indian Airlines and Jet Airways provide regular flights
to Pune from Delhi,
By Rail : Pune has excellent railway services connecting all major
cities.
By Road : Pune is well connected by road with the all major cities
within the state as well as outside the state. Daily private and
government buses ply from Pune to Mumbai (4hrs)
