Pune Tourism

"Oxford of the East" Pune Tourism Often referred to as the Oxford of the East, Pune is a bustling hub of multifarious people and activities and is in the contention for rapidly growing into one of the top metropolitan cities in the country. When someone says Pune, you immediately think of a laidback, yet lively town with a young and vivacious crowd that welcomes every visitor with an open heart.  However, there is a lot more to Pune than just its youthful vigour. Behind the modern commercialized façade of Pune lies the roots of ancient Poona, which gave birth to the Maratha Empire and had a very crucial role to play in the history of India?s independence. Pune is a city that perfectly blends modernity with tradition, and it deserves the title of being the cultural capital of Maharashtra. Pune is dotted with palaces and temples that are reminiscent of the city?s ancient heritage, the most important of these being the Shaniwar Wada palace and the Aga Khan palace. The Shaniwar Wada palace is a sprawling monument that used to serve as the seat of power for the Peshwa rulers back during the Maratha Empire. Constructed by Peshwa Baji Rao I after his victory in the Third Anglo Maratha War, this palace is no less than an architectural marvel. Comprising of nine bastions, five gateways, intricate latticework and a beautiful mountain, the Shaniwar Wada Palace allows you a glimpse into the history and architecture of the Peshwas. The Aga Khan Palace is another palace that is steeped in history. Built by Sultan Muhammed Shah Aga Khan III this palace has been witness to countless important events in the Indian war of independence, including the imprisonment of Mahatma Gandhi and other important freedom fighters. Boasting of beautiful Italian arches, lush green lawns and large hallways which are now used to display exhibits from the lives of various freedom fighters, the Aga Khan Palace is an important tourist attracti What's Great? An IT hub with everything you can imagine in a modern city. Good nightlife. Scenic places to visit in and around the city with religious and historical buildings. What's not so Great? Being a major city and a neighbour to Mumbai, the city suffers from traffic jams and crowd in most of the tourist places. There aren't a lot of touristy things to do within the city. For Whom For people who wish to experience a good mix of modern city with a lot of heritage in a pleasant weather. Pune is also good for people looking for shopping and good food with fresh beer. Pune also acts as the central hub for a lot of nearby trekking spots, hill-stations and adventure towns nearby.

The Bustle of a religious and historic city Pune is a city full of energy and fun, with not only being a technological hub and centre, it's also a cultural and religious heritage city with lots of beautiful and important places around the city. With more than 200 IT companies and more than 100 destinations to dine and shop, the city also houses more than 50 marvellous temples. Shaniwarwada, laid by Bajirao in 1729, though largely destroyed, is still a thing of beauty and historical importance. The Sinhagad fort is a place of immense natural beauty situated over a mountain, 30 km south-west of Pune would give you a natural view to love and be mesmerised. Many other beautiful places like the Mulshi Dam, Lohagad and Vetal Hill are located around Pune for a quick excursion. History of Pune The name ?Pune? can be traced back to the term ?Punaya Vishaya?, used for this city, inscribed on a copper plate which is dated back to 768 A.D. The Rashtrakutas ruled this region around this time. The most prominent period of history can be allotted to the rule of the Marathas, especially the Peshwas who grew extremely important under the aegis of the Marathas. However, in 1818, with the victory of the British in this city, the great Maratha rule came to an end. The education movement which is so strong in Pune right now kicked off with the establishment of the Deccan College in 1851. Ever since the establishment of this institute, more and more opened up, resulting in the the cultural hub that we see today. Nightlife In Pune There are more than 100 pubs and nightclubs in Pune and is among the very few cities of India where pubs open till late, sometimes till 4 a.m.. Go there over the weekend and enjoy the chilled out vibes, dance your tensions away and fill your tired body with some scrumptious food and cocktails. Read more aboutNightlife in Pune

Itinerary Day 1- After exploring the Shaniwarwada, you can explore the popular ?Bund Garden?. This picturesque place is a popular retreat in the city. Day 2- History enthusiasts should head out to explore the Sinhagad Fort and scrumptious dishes that are available at intervals inside this fort. Day 3- If you are looking forward to enjoying some time with nature, head out to the Bhimashankar Wildlife Sanctuary, which lies 70 Kilometers away from Pune. You can also undertake a bike trip to this sanctuary. To cover it, you will have to keep a separate day in your itinerary Day 4- Bhimashankar Wildlife Sanctuary, and trekking across the beautiful Parvati Hill temples, which has around 108 steps, and offers an aerial view of the city, both require a full day dedicated to them. So, if you have more days to spare, go and explore all of these destinations!

Restaurants and Local Food in Pune Pune is a sparkling city and offers a wide range of cuisines and countless options for food. However the most colourful and vibrant is the local cuisine and the city's specialities. These includeMisal Paav, Bhel Puri, Pav Bhaji, Pithla Bhakri, Vada Paav, Poha, Dabeli and Puran Poli.These items are extremely popular and most have their flavors and fragrances filling the streets of the city as they are staple street food items. Do tryMastani,a rich milkshake garnished with dry fruits, one of the most delicious savouries of the town. Read more aboutStreet food in Pune View 6 Restaurants in Pune >>

Jul-Maris the best time to visit Pune Pune offers great sightings in monsoon and so July to September is a nice time of the year to visit, though the city may get stuck due to excessive traffic and drainage problems, you can still enjoy the nearby places with ease. Monsoons are also the best time to visit Pune as the whole area around Pune including Lonavla, Khandala, etc. look amazing. October to March are quite pleasant in terms of weather and one can visit Pune during these months. Summers (April to June) can be avoided because of relatively high temperature. Weather in Pune Loading... Pune in Winter(October - March) Since summer is hot and humid in Pune and monsoon is not very friendly inside the city, winter is a good season to enjoy the city and surroundings of Pune. The temperature is never too low making it an overall enjoyable experience. Pune in Monsoon ( July - September) Pune city might get congested due to rain and poor drainage, but the nearby tourist places are must-go-to places in the season. The Mumbai-Pune expressway is the best choice for travellers going to Pune from Mumbai or vice-versa in the season as the route also looks very beautiful. Monthly Weather in Pune Month Avg. Minimum (°C) Avg. Maximum (°C) January 13 31 February 15 34 March 17 35 April 21 37 May 24 37 June 24 33 July 23 29 August 23 29 September 22 30 October 20 32 November 13 34 December 13 33