Pune may not be a cosmopolitan city as its upstart cousin on the coast, Mumbai, but it is a pleasant getaway for all those who want to escape from the hustle and bustle of the city. The city has a calm atmosphere, non-confronting people, and is certainly much more relaxed and peaceful than Mumbai. If you consider Maharashtra as a Marathi speaking state of India, then Pune can undoubtedly be called its capital, with its glorious past and high concentration of Marathi speaking people. The place was the early home of great Maratha warrior Shivaji and became the Maratha capital in 1750. For a brief period, the city was under the control of the Nizam of Hyderabad and later came under British rule in 1817. The British tried to develop the city as the summer capital of Maharashtra and a military cantonment. Today, the city has lost much of its grandeur of the Maratha period but the places around here are quite rich in heritage and natural beauty.
In recent times, the city of Pune became famous for being home to the Osho Commune International. The ashram attracts a large number of people from around the world to practice Osho’s new-age meditation techniques. Pune is also an internationally renowned educational centre, being home to many institutions of repute like the Film and Television Institute of India, Armed Forces Medical College, National Defence Academy, and Symbiosis Educational Society.
Most of the attractions in Pune may not have been very famous, but that should not deter tourists from visiting them. They have their own qualities that can be experienced only after seeing them. Most of the attractions are related to the Marathas, who at one point of time controlled much of the north and western India and challenged the might of the Mughal Empire as well as that of the British.
Here one can have a look at the remnants of foundations and outer walls of the multi-story Shaniwar Wada that was burnt down in 1827. Pataleshwar Cave Temple is a welcome respite from the general bustle and crowds at most of the other temples. Raja Denkar Kelkar Museum is one place in Pune that should never be missed as the more than 17,000 art objects exhibited here are examples of how the curiosity of a single man can create wonders. There are some more interesting sites in Pune like Saras Baug, Kasturba Samadhi, and the Film and Television Institute of India that one should visit.
In the Maratha Kingdom, Pune was the centre of power and all the places around this city reflect the might and glory of the Marathas. Sinhagad, a hilltop fort, is the epitome of the bravery and cleverness of Maratha warriors. Raigad Fort was the place closely associated with the life and times of Shivaji, an icon of Maratha pride. Bhimashankar is a place known as much for its religious importance as for its natural surroundings. Jejuri has one of the most important temples in Maharashtra situated on a hilltop.
© 2024 SUN TOURS PVT LTD. All rights reserved. Designed and Maintained by ITindustries.com
