About Pune

Pune was the seat of the Peshwas, who ran the Maratha Empire from Shaniwar Wada in the 18th century, and the old city around it still keeps that history in its wadas, temples and peth markets. Start with Shaniwar Wada, Lal Mahal, Kasba Ganpati, Dagdusheth Halwai Ganpati and the Raja Dinkar Kelkar Museum, then shop for sarees, brassware and spices along Laxmi Road and in Tulshibaug. Aga Khan Palace, where Gandhi was held from 1942 to 1944, and the 8th century rock-cut Pataleshwar cave temple are easy half day visits, while Koregaon Park, FC Road and Camp are where cafes, Irani bakeries and evening crowds gather. Food leans Maharashtrian: misal pav for breakfast, a vegetarian thali at lunch, mastani in Budhwar Peth and bakarwadi from Chitale Bandhu to take home. Ganeshotsav, in August or September, is the biggest event of the year, with pandals across the peths and processions on the final day. Pune is also the starting point for the Sahyadri forts. Sinhagad, Rajgad, Torna and Purandar are day trips from the city, and Shivneri, the birthplace of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, is a long day out near Junnar. Five of the eight Ashtavinayak Ganesh temples, at Morgaon, Theur, Ranjangaon, Ozar and Lenyadri, are in Pune district, while the Khandoba temple at Jejuri and the Bhimashankar Jyotirlinga each make a full day trip. Lonavala, with the Bhaja caves and the Lohagad and Visapur forts, is about an hour and a half away by road or local train.