Pune Things to Do

Out Nagar Road (way out) is Tulapur. Two rivers join to form the Bhima River. It is a beautiful spot and full of history. It may look like a peaceful place but Sambaji met a violent death here and there is a monument to his honor.

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The Aga Khan Palace, or Gandhi National Memorial, is both a memorial to non violent struggle and to the woman who stood behind the Mahatma who died here.

With Italian arches and spacious lawns, the Sultan Muhammed Shah Aga Khan III built the palace in 1892 to offer employment following a famine, in Yerwada region in eastern Pune suburb that joins Kalyani Nagar (Kalyani City), also called
Neelkanth Kalyani after a city industrialist and founder of the Kalyani Forging company.

Later, Prince Shah Karim al-Hussayni Aga Khan IV was a supporter and associate of Gandhi, and it was here, that the British transported Gandhi during his 1942- 1944 house arrest. He gave the palace to the public in 1969 becoming the he Gandhi National Memorial.

Of course, the guide was very animated in describing how the palace was used in Attenborough’s film.

Gandhi's room and bathroom are protected behind glass – much like a shrine to Keturba, who died there. Along with his spinning wheel, its simplicity reminded me how great men often remove superfluous distractions in pursuit of dreams and principles.
Kasturba’s Samadhi is a short walk away, besides the memorial for Desai. Gandhi’s secretary, viewed more as a son, but described by some as an unofficial Foreign Secretary.

Here Gandhi daily trod the path to his daily observances. Kept free of commercial distraction, this area, like the gardens, are tranquil and reflective. The lawn was being cut without mechanical lawn mower and the clippings swept by broom.

Once a clinic for leprosy and other skin conditions, homespun cloth is available for charitable fund raising.. Gandhi loved children and on one side near the Samadhi is a children's nursery.

After Gandhi's death his ashes were divided. Some rest near Kasturba.

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Walk, ride or stroll the mornings and evenings are incredible on this campus considered the most beautiful University in India.

The main building on campus built 1864-1871 was originally the governor's mansion (Sir Bartle Frere, Govenor of Mumbai). The building is now a Grad-I Heritage site.

The Mahatma Phule Mandai with its 1,438 stalls is where you will find vegetable and fruit venders. Mahatma Phule Mandai has served as a vegetable market for over 100 years. The market is named for the Maharashtrian social reformer Jyotiba Phule.

Mahadji Shinde Chatri is around the corner from Sacred Heart town in Wanowrie. The construction began in 1830 and finished in 1910. This was built in memory of the Marathi warrior Mahadji Shinde who was military general between 1760 and 1780.

Entry fee is 5 Rs and 25 Rs for Foreigners. If you are not looking for Mahadhi Shinde Chatri you could dirve by and miss it. If you are already in Wanowrie then of course have a look.

This is a popular walk in the mornings for Punites. I decided to go up on a foggy December morning. The hill has 103 steps.

Parvati Hill has 5 temples on top of it. The temple is the oldest heritage structure in Pune and was built in the Peshwa Dynasty rule.

The main temple, Devdeveshwara was completed under Nanasaheb Peshwa, in 1749. Devdeveshwara temple is made of blackstone.

Parvati Hill raises to a height of 2100 feet above sea level. There is a Peshwar museum on top of Parvati Hill costs 10 rupees.

For 5 rupees you can walk around the upper terrace where you get an amazing 360 degree view of Pune city. Since it is a world heritage site they are not allowed to build rails so hold on to your children and photogrophers who get caught up in the moment.

The Temghar Dam is on the way to Lavasa. It is known as a picnic spot. It is worth a stop on the way to Lavasa where you can have a meal there. The whole trip is an immersion into the Sahyadris Mountains.

You can see the rugged peaks from Saswad even before then. This is a beautiful and rugged setting. Ten Kilometers (at least) past Saswad. I like the old buildings to explore even without climbing all the way to the Fort. That suited us having small children with us.

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This is an 8th century rock cut cave temple along the lines of Ellora Caves from the same time period of the Rashtrakutas. On JM Road (Jungli Maharaj Road) in Shivaji Nagar. When asking directions as for Temple on JM Road or for Jangli Maharaj Mandir next to Pateleshwar caves.

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I did not go inside the Aga Khan Palace, but just going into the grounds and seeing the place was interesting and reading the information on the outside of Ghandhi's captivity here. The palace was built in 1892 and looks like it is in really good shape on the outside.

In 1942 the British interned Mahatma Gandhi and his wife Kasturba Gandhi here. The palace belonged to Aga Khan (prince and head of Khoja sect) who later donated the palace in order to erect a memorial , in the memory of Mahatma Gandhi and his wife Kasturba (who died in this palace).

Completed in 1736 this Fort is a center for Peshwar history and the Maratha empire and their reign of the eighteenth century. There are light shows in the evening in Marathi and English. The statue in front of the fort is of Bijarao who led the Palkhed Campaign 1727-1728.

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Drive up Dive Ghat toward Saswad on the Saswad Road. Just before Saswad are the signs to turn to Jadavgadh. You must pay Rs 500 to enter if you are not a hotel guest. You get this amount back toward your food bill. If you have the breakfast buffet you still have almost 150 Rs to spare.

This palace was built in 1892 by Imam Sultan Muhammad Shah Agakhan III. He was elected as the President of the League of Nations in 1938 and was well renowned in the field of politics and sports. The palace was later donated to India by Aga Khan IV in 1969 as a mark of respect to Gandhiji and his philosophy.

Historical importance:

The Agakhan Palace Pune is a national monument of India’s freedom movement. Following the launch of Quit India movement in 1942, Gandhiji, his wife Kasturba, his secretary Mahadevbhai Desai were interned at the palace from August 9, 1942 to May 6, 1944. Mahadevbhai and Kasturba passed away while in captivity at the Agakhan palace and their samadhis are located in the campus.Situated near the River Mula, the palace is a simple memorial to Gandhi and his life
Tourist attraction: The palace has developed into a national and international place of pilgrimage with over a lakh of visitors every year who come to pay homage to the samadhis here. The palace is surrounded by a sprawling garden. The famous movie 'Gandhi' was shot here.

Timings : 9 am to 6 pm (Lunch break: 12.30 pm to 1:30 pm)
Entry fee: Rs.5 for adults and Rs.2 for children
Location: Aghakhan Palace, Nagar road, beyond Fitzgerald Bridge

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Ajanta - Natural
Ajanta is a World Heritage site of Buddhist caves that dates from 200BC. The cave art and architecture at Ajanta has been well preserved because the caves were abandoned and not rediscovered until 1819. The discovery happened when British officers were on a tiger hunt.

The caves are located in an isolated wooded horseshoe-shaped ravine. The thirty temples at Ajanta are set into the rocky sides of the gorge. The complex of caves at Ajanta consists of halls of residence (the Vihara) and monument halls (the Chaitya).

The sculptures and paintings in the caves detail the life of Buddha as well as a depiction of history through court scenes, street scenes, scenes of domestic life, animals and birds.

Lonar Meteorite Crater - man made but not originally designed to attract tourist
The Lonar Meteorite Crater is among the world's five largest craters. A British officer first discovered the Lonar Meteorite in 1823 but it is mentioned in ancient scripts.

A falling meteorite formed the crater over 40,000 years ago and scientists believe that the meteorite is still embedded in the ground.

The edge of the Lonar crater is home to several Hindu temples and wildlife such as langur monkeys, gazelle, peacocks and abundant bird life.

A shallow saline lake is located at the bottom of the crater. When Emperor Akbar was in power, there was also a salt factory at Lonar.

Raja Dinkar Kelkar Museum - Man Made to attract
Raja Dinkar Kelkar Museum houses the one-man collection of Dr D.G. Kelkar. With over 20,000 objects on display, the collection is dedicated to the memory of his only son `Raja' who died a tragic death.

For over sixty years, Dr Kelkar, traveled throughout India to villages, tribal settlements, and temples to collect items that offer a glimpse into life in India.

Some of the items on display at the Raja Dinkar Kelkar Museum include musical instruments, kitchen utensils, paintings, coins, textiles, sculpture, ivory and toys.

The toys are a reflection from the 18th to 20th C and are made of wood, paper maché, and metal.

The kitchen items include utensils and equipment from diverse periods in time.

Strings, blowing and beating musical instruments are the main exhibits in this collection. They reflect Indian craftsmanship and feature musical instruments from famous Indian musicians.