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Pune, the second largest city of Maharashtra, lies at the junction of Mula and Mutha rivers. Pune is the culture capital of Maharashtra and boasts of a thriving theatre and music scene. Also called the “Queen of the Deccan”, Pune is the custodian of Maharashtra’s rich culture and traditions and ironically, also an epitome of modernity and technology. A large academic hub, Pune is home to several renowned educational institutions and attracts students from all over the world. Hence it is also known as the “Oxford of the East”.
The name Pune comes from the word “punya” or holy. Copper plates as old as 768 and 758 AD called “Punaka Vishaya” and “Puny Vishaya” bear the first reference to Pune. Over the centuries, different rulers staked claim over Pune, like the Yadavas, Khalji Dynasty, Tughlaq dynasty and the Deccan Sultanate. Finally, it came under the power of the Marathas in 1600 where it prospered, particularly under the Peshwas. The British took over in 1818 where it stayed under their rule right up to independence in 1947. However, Pune was a major centre of social reform and played a significant role in the freedom movement.
The first girl’s school in India was started by Savitribai Phule in 1848.
Badminton originated in Pune when some British soldiers who were posted here, brought the game to the city.
Pune has a happening nightlife and boasts of having the greatest number of pubs in Asia!
Both Mahatama Gandhi and his wife Kasturba Gandhi have a Pune connection. Gandhiji was imprisoned in Yerwada jail while Kasturba Gandhi breathed her last at Aga Khan Palace.
People of Pune are colloquially called “Punekars”. Majority of the population is Maharashtrian but because it is an education and technology hub, the number of migrants is on a constant rise. People arrive in Pune largely from Karnataka, Uttar Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat and Rajasthan.
Marathi is the language of Pune. However, English, Hindi and Gujarati are also spoken here.
Pune experiences three seasons. Summers are hot and last from mid-March to mid-June. Monsoon lasts from June to October with moderate rainfall, followed by winter which lasts from November to February with night temperatures falling below 9°C. Typically, though the days are warm. Pune enjoys pleasant evenings and nights all through the year,
Indian Rupee
Language Spoken
Marathi, Hindi and English
Currency used:
Indian rupee
Air – Lohegaon airport in Pune is well-connected with all major cities in India by flight. Pune also has a direct flight to Dubai.
Train – Trains arrive and depart from Pune regularly, connecting it to all the major cities of the country.
Bus – Pune is linked well by state-owned buses coming in from Ahmednagar, Mumbai, Aurangabad and Bijapur.
A city brimming with history and culture, Pune tourism offers a variety of sightseeing attractions to all its visitors, from grandiose monuments like Shaniwar Wada to Sinhagad Fort which has an interesting story to tell at every step, to the picturesque Pashan Lake. No tour of Pune is complete without a trip to the fascinating Osho Ashram.
Any Pune tourist guide will tell you that Pune has a plethora of activities to indulge in. Be astounded by the hills, breathe in the pure morning air as you hike up Parvati Hills or Taljai Hills. A trek to Sinhagad Fort in Pune or Tikona or Rajgad Forts at short distances away would satisfy the adventure seeker in you. You can go camping at Pawna dam, take a walking tour of the city or meditate in tranquillity at the Osho Ashram.
From upmarket malls in Koregaon Park to old markets, Pune is a haven for shopaholics. One of the oldest markets, Tulsi Baug is a treasure trove of traditional items - clothes, jewellery and kitchenware. Go street shopping at Hong Kong Lane, visit Lakshmi Road for traditional clothes, Juna Bajaar for exclusive antiques, Fergusson College Road for trendy fashion and MG Road for a mix of malls and street markets.
India tourism Pune offers a wide variety of night hotspots. If you are a party animal, Pune is the place for you with its rocking nightlife. You can go dancing or pub crawling till the wee hours of the morning at the numerous nightclubs that Pune is dotted with. Swig, Mix@36, Area 51, Independence Brewing Company and Effingut Brewery are some of the nightclubs that you may want to experience.
You can enjoy several tour packages in Pune which includes city sightseeing tours starting from a few hours to a couple of days. There are several tourist places near Pune such as Lonavala, Khandala, Pawna, Mahabaleshwar which can be combined with Pune for a longer tour. The Ashtavinayak Tour which is a pilgrimage of the eight Ganpati temples includes Pune in its itinerary.
