Located in the Sahayadri Hiils in Maharashtra, Pune is a city of culture and moden lifestyle. Known as the Oxford of the East, Pune has many renowned educational institons, National Defence Academy (an premier defence academy for the army, navy, and air force) and the Film and Television Institute of India. The large student and IT population in the city makes for a lively nightlife and vibrant atmosphere. Pune also houses some fantastic restaurants, a few good museums and is well known for its surrounding hill forts which offer panoramic bird's-eye views. Pune has a glorious history of nearly 600 years. The city was one of the temporary abode of the 17th century great Maratha ruler Chhatrapati Shivaji, who was born at the Shivneri Fort here. Pune became the seat of the enterprising Peshwas, under whom Maratha power rose into a major political force. The Peshwas were renowned patrons of the arts and enriched Pune with temples, gardens and educational institutions. And during and after Independence, Pune took its place as an important center for social and religious reform movements that were sweeping the country. It was here that Lokmanya Bal Gangadhar Tilak introduced the principle of Swadeshi during the Freedom Struggle as Ganesh Mahotsav, which is today celebrated with great enthusiasm, as city interiors almost remain blocked for ten days. Pune has more than 2000 mandals with Dagdusheth Halwai being the biggest and most famous one.


Main Languages: Marathi, Hindi and English
City telephone code/ STD code: 020
Best time to visit: October and March
Tourist Information: Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation Limited (PH: 22 2202 6713 / 7762 / 4627)
Distance: Ahmedabad – 660 kms, Bangalore – 835 kms, Kolkatta – 2004 kms, Chennai – 1166 kms, Delhi – 1417 kms, Hyderabad – 548 kms,
Trivandrum - 1380 kms


Getting there and away:

By Air: Pune Airport is an international hub with flights connecting to Singapore and Dubai besides all the domestic flights..

By Rail: The city has two railway stations, Pune and Shivajinagar.

By Road: Both state owned and private ones, also connect Pune with major cities like Mumbai, Hyderabad and Bengaluru.

Getting Around

• Local Rail
• Local Buses
• Auto rickshaw
• Taxis

Attractions in Pune:

• Lal Deval (Synagogue)
• Bund Garden
• The Osho International Commune
• Aga Khan Palace
• Shindyanchi Chhatri
• Pataleshwar Cave Temples
• Shaniwar Wada
• Parvati Hill and Temples
• Raja Dinkar Kelkar Museum
• Bal Gandharv Mandir
• Tilak Smarak Mandir
• Saras Baug
• The Katraj Snake Park
• The Film and Television Institute of India
• Chaturshrungi Temple
• Sinhagad Fort

Around Pune:

Bhuleshwar( A Temple of Pandav Era )
Just about 50 Kms. from Pune. Bhuleshwar is a nice and cool place to visit. Bhuleshwar is famous for the temple of Lord Shiva. The temple situated on a hill, was built during the era of Pandavas. Originally , it was a fort called as 'Mangalgadh'.

Malshej Ghat( Kulu - Manali of Maharashtra ):
A very popular place as it is close to both Pune and Mumbai. Malshej Ghat is vital place in Sahyadri hills and really very attractive when it is under dark clouds and heavy fog. Heavy fog and amazing waterfalls are the spatiality of Malshej Ghat especially in monsoon.

Harihareshwar (Dakshin Kashi ) :
Harihareshwar is one of the finest places in Konkan. It is just 130 Kms. from Pune. It is famous for a temple on the seashore as well as the beach and the natural beauties here.

Alibag ( Sea Shore Near to Pune and Mumbai ) : when one wishes to enjoy the beauty of sea, then Alibag is a must visit. The journey Pune-Lonavala-Khandala-Khopoli-Shila, fata-Pen-Wadkhala-Poyanad-Dharamtar Karlekhind-Alibag - is of 140-145 kms. The fort Kulaba lies 1-2 km in the sea from Alibag. At the time of tide, the whole fort is encircled with water while at the time of fall; it is easy even to walk the fort.

Ganpatipule :
Ganpatipule is in the Ratnagiri district. The mountain look like in the shape of GANPATI and the actual temple and statue is at the footer area of this mountain. The area of ganpatipule beach is near about 2 k.m.

Chiplun :
Chiplun city is another visiting place in kokan. It now famous because it is near to Enron Electricity plant (Dabhole Prkalpa).Their are various visiting places in chiplun like Ramvardaine, Gandharaishwar, Vindhyawasini and near to the chiplun to view like guhagar beach, Haydavi Ganpati, Ganpatipule.

Haydavi:
The temple has construction at the time of Peshwai period. It is situated at guhagar taluka. It said that the statue of ganesh is created at kashmir.

Guhagar :
You are come to chiplun and not see the Guhagar it means you lost something that come closer to human to the nature. You can see Durgadevi, Uffrata Ganpati,Shri waidayshwar mandir and near places for visit are Anjanwel, welneshwar, Haydavi.

Lal Ganpati :
This Lal ganpatis devstan is totally private and from last 500 years traditionaly in the marathi month bahdarpad at chathurthi the celebration is stated. This Ganpati is situated in tali ali in the house of Kadar Shetty.