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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Pune is a youthful and vibrant city. Full of energetic people the city has something for everone. I have put across a list of activities that you can do on a weekend in Pune

MOVIE
Favorite among a lot of people, there is a movie for every mood and every age. If you don’t have a good movie screeing this week, you can surely order a old classic and have fun

SHOPPING
Who doesn’t like shopping from clothes to watches there are some of the best brands now available in Pune, if shopping is on your list head to Nagar Road the new shoppers paradise consisting of Phoenix, Inorbit and Pulse mall

SPA
Best thing to do for relaxing and more. Choose a massage, facial or a therapy of your choice there are wide range of therapies available from across the world now in Pune’s spa, check out Touche The Spa Experts and The Four Fountains Spa

SIGHT SEEING
If you love nature, then there is a quiet a lot to cater you near Pune. Plan little ahead so that you can do your sightseeing or weekend stay at the place you are travelling. Forts, temples or beach your choice keep the season in mind before you decide

DINNER
Name the cuisine and you have it in Pune. There are so many places; you need to make a list to try new ones every week. Koregaon Park is the destination for you

CONCERTS AND CLUBBING
Musicians, live performance, artist are touring Pune more than ever before. Spending an evening with some great performance and chill

GROUP ACTIVITIES
Clubs like Poona club, rotary club host a lot of group activites, enroll yourself in to meet new people and have fun

SPORTS, OUTDOOR
Outdoor sports like golf are great ways to exercise and also promising to be fun at the same time. Join a sports club, see their services and facilties that can suit your requirements before you enroll

SOCIAL GATHERINGS
Attend a fund filled fundraiser or a networking event to spend time and know others. Can be very bad experience and difficult to begin, but you will enjoy the events once you get use to it

EXHIBITIONS
If you love art, the city of Pune has a huge talent, visit some of the art exhibitions to explore you hobby and get inspired

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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