Sitting atop the Deccan Plateau with the Mutha River flowing alongside is the popular city Pune. This is the second largest city in Maharashtra. Also known as the “Queen of Deccan”, this hilly city has a royal history of being home to the Rahstrakuta Dynasty taken over and ruled by the mighty Chhatrapati Shivaji. Besides the boom in Industrial and IT zones within the city, the last few decades have seen a rapid growth in the sector of tourism in Pune. Boasting of being the second city after Hyderabad to offer “high quality of living” and attracts travellers for its historic monuments, culture, traditions, mouth watering street food and natural beauty offered by small hill tops, gardens and parks. Above all, for Mumbai-based individuals trapped in the daily schedule of work life, Pune, barely four hours away offers the best sought after place to visit. A general holiday guide to Pune suggest the same with special mention of the famous Sawai Gandharva Sangeet Mahotsav, that is an Indian classical music festival staged during the month of December every year. Ardent classical music enthusiasts can plan a trip during this season to enjoy a blend of the modern life and its century’s old musical heritage. Being home to the prestigious Pune University, considered as the “Oxford of the East”, Pune is the ideal higher education destination of many students. Short vacations or admission months bring about family to some of Pune’s popular tourist places such as the Chaturshringi temple of Goddess Ambareshwari, Ambedkar museum, Parvati temple, Rajiv Gandhi Zoological Park,
Dagaduseth Halwai Ganpati temple, rock carved Pataleshwar temple, Aga khan palace where Mahatma Gandhi was kept under house arrest and the famous Shaniwar wada built during the time of Bajirao Peshwa.
The outskirts of Pune also have several sightseeing places such as the Shinde chatri memorial and the Empress garden with beautiful floral diversity. To seek out mental refreshment some of Pune’s tourist attractions include the commercial theatre, Osho International Meditation resort of Koregaon Park, and forts exhibiting awe inspiring Maratha architecture. Pune trip is incomplete without pampering one’s taste buds with the Maharashtrian delicacies such as Puran Poli, Misal Pav and Mastani milkshake among many others. This place is easily the most favoured travel destination in Maharashtra, which if visited for a long stay allows weekend shuttle trip to twin cities Lonavala and Khandala, Mahabaleshwar, Nashik, Matheran, Shirdi and world heritage sites Ajanta and Ellora caves.
A good travelling guide makes the entire journey memorable and fun filled. To discover the 6th century old civilization of Pune within its “smart” city life, one can join the Pune tour with Tour My India. With various packages you can actually enjoy a world class vacation that gifts unmatched expeditions and breathtaking sights to capture.
Osho Ashram
There are many things for which Pune is globally renowned but it’s the Osho Ashram that is synonymous with the city’s image. A heady mix of spiritualism, and ancient, and modern idea of relaxation, the brains behind this unique organization was the late guru Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh or OSHO. Even after his demise in 1990, his well-appointed ashram continues to attract devotees from America and Europe. Located at the Koregaon Park of the North Pune, the Ashram offers many meditation programs that bring infinite intelligence, and joy.
Mainly a center of meditation, thus the biggest facility here is a soundproof auditorium, where different kinds of meditation keep on happening using various techniques. For all those, who are looking forward to a stay in the Ashram can book their stay at the OSHO International Meditation Resort. With plush interiors, reflecting the meditation qualities of the Gautam Buddha, the resort has tastefully decorated guest houses with ventilated AC rooms with attached bathrooms. The spiritual retreat also has a swimming pool, Jacuzzi, Gym, Large indoor saunas, Tennis Courts, and Table Tennis table. Evening parties are quite prominent in the resort.
Pu La Deshpande Garden
Amidst the hustle-bustle of the city life stands the tranquil Pu La Deshpande Garden. Inspired by the renowned 300-year-old Okayama Korakuen Garden of Japan, Pu La Deshpande Garden is developed by Ikeda royal family in the 12 spacious hectares. The garden is named after Purushottam Laxman Deshpande, a Marathi writer who is also a Padma Bhushan awardee. Beautiful yet prestigious – Pu La Deshpande Garden is spread over 10 hectares with tiled passages flanked by the luscious grasses thronged with migratory birds. Walking on the lawn is strictly not allowed as it destroys the grass. With a variety of colorful flowers and other plants and water bodies, the garden showcases nature at its best.
Rajiv Gandhi Zoological Park
Commonly known as the Katraj Snake Park, Rajiv Gandhi Zoological Park is prominent zoo cum snake park in Pune. Spread over 130 acres, it is divided into three parts – an animal orphanage, a snake park, and a zoo; also there’s a lake. In the snake park, one can see over 22 species of snakes and 10 other species of reptiles comprising over 150 individuals, including a King Cobra. In this section of the park, one can visit the library too that tells about all the vital information related to snakes. So as to engage more tourism, the park keeps on organizing festivals and snake awareness programs. The zoo in the complex features animals like leopard, sloth bears, sambars, barking deer, black bucks, monkeys, and elephants.
Parvati Hill
Pune regions Parvati Hill is a prominent hill lock with a good number of historical vestiges and temples at an altitude of 2100 feet. Devdeveshwar temple (Shiva and Parvati), Kartikeya Temple, Vishnu Temple, Vitthal Temple, and Rama Temple are some of the famous temples that can be seen on the hilltop. It is said that all these temples were built during by the Peshwas. View of the Pune city from the top of the hill is mesmerizing.