PUNE
is a cool city once used as the summer capital of Bombay Province during
British Rule. Main attraction of Pune is the Aga Khan Palace associated with
Mahatma Gandhi and Freedom Movement. It is also famous for Ganapathi Festival.
Other attractions are Snake Park converted Rajiv Gandhi Zoological Park, Parvathi,
Sinhagad Fort, Saras Bagh Garden, etc.
AGA
KHAN PALACE
Inside
Aga Khan Palace various articles are exhibited related to Mahatma Gandhi including personal items used by
Kasturba Gandhi. It was also used as a Prison to imprison the Freedom Movement
leaders. It was built by Sultan Mohammad Shah Aga Khan in the late 1890s. Yerwada
jail is very close to it.
SINHAGAD
FORT
Sinhagad
was first captured from a tribal chieftain by Muhammad bin Tughlaq. Thereafter it was under Shivaji for a short
period and then under the Mughals. Then it was recaptured by Shivjaji’s forces
under Tanaji, who died in the battle. On his memory, the fort was renamed as
Sinhagad from its original name Kondana.
SARAS
BAUG
There
is a Ganesh temple in the middle surrounded by water tank like a small lake full of fish and lotus with
beautiful green lawns. Many people visit the place with kids for worship in the temple and also to relax on the lawns in the
evening. The garden is well maintained. To see a video of a swan with its new born chicks swimming in a pond
in side saras baug open air garden go to the link:
https://youtu.be/tzJ1ElqToEQ
. It was taken by chance when we visited the place.
RAJIV
GANDHI UDYAN (PARK)
Katraj
Snake Park in Pune was famous for its collection of
snakes, reptiles, birds and turtles. It later became part of the Rajiv Gandhi
Udyan (park). There are many species of snakes of which notable collection is a
giant King Cobra of about 9 feet length. After it is converted into a general
park by name, Rajiv Gandhi Zoological Park (Udyan), a zoo has been added with an open atmosphere
for the animals, making it a popular tourist destination, particularly for
children. There is a lake in the middle with boating facility (Seasonal).
PARVATI
HILL AND TEMPLE
Parvati
hill and a Hindu temple is situated near Saras Baug of Pune from where one can
get a beautiful glance of the city. The name of the hill derives from the name
of the temple namely Parvati. The temple is located so high on the hill that one
has to climb a series of over 100 steps to get to the entrance of main temple at the top
from where a complete view of the city is possible. At one side of the temple,
a museum with the of the Peshwa rulers of the area. The museum contains a
variety of things including historical records. The area is also treated as a picnic spot and tourist place.
SHANIWAR
WADA
Shaniwar
Wada was a royal residence of Peshwa, located in the heart of Pune city. It is in the form of a
small fort. The doors of the palace are so strong that it had been designed to resist
enemy attacks. Inside it, only the ruins of the glory of the Maratha power is
visible. Today it is left with only an imposing outer wall surrounded by the
public road always busy with heavy traffic.
KELKAR
MUSEUM
The
museum has many collections of objects like paintings, handicrafts,
armour-suits, musical instruments and many other objects of art and artefacts
collected from all over the world.
BUND
GARDEN and OSHO COMMUNE INTERNATIONAL
The
Bund garden, which is laid next to the river, is a place for evening strolls on
the lush green grass. Boating and rowing facilities are also available nearby. Neighbouring
to this garden is the THE OSHO COMMUNE INTERNATIONAL situated where public entry is restricted to some area and at particular time.
NATIONAL
FILM ARCHIVES MUSEUM
National
Film Archives Museum is one of the largest film archives in Asia. The museum
preserves all the classic movies and all the details on the classic movie
makers. Earlier, it was located inside the campus of the Film and TV Institute
of India. Now it is located outside the campus a little away on the same Law
College Road. It is also treated as a record keeper of all Films made in India.
NATIONAL
INSTITUTE OF NATUROPATHY (NIN)
National
Institute of Naturopathy (NIN), Pune is an autonomous body of the Government of
India, located very close to the Pune Railway station at Tadiwala Road at a
walking distance. It is a historical place now called as "Bapu
Bhavan", the old building. Mahatma Gandhi was treated at this place
when he was in Pune by a Doctor who used this place as his Nature Cure clinic
at that time. The land and building was later acquired by the Government of India and
the present institute is established in the present form retaining the old building. In fact, I was an official visitor of
the Institute several times.
FILM
AND TV INSTITUTE OF INDIA.
The
Film and Television Institute of India (FTII) is an autonomous institute under
the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting of the Government of India. It is
situated at Law College road on the premises of the erstwhile Prabhat Studio founded by the noted film
director V.Shantaram and his friends. The original Prabhat Studio is now kept
as a museum with all its settings. Since its inception, FTII has become India's
premier film and television institute. Many of its students became actors,
directors, etc. in the Indian film industry. As a mention, I had been an
official visitor to the institute several times.
LONAVALA/KANDALA
Lonavala
and Kandala are two nearby places where temperature remains cool for most of
the year. It is a hill station on the way from Mumbai to Pune. Both places are
connected by rail and road. It is treated as a summer shelter for the Mumbai
residents who cannot afford to go to distant hill stations. Hence it is crowded
during the summer season. Karla Caves are reachable from Lonavala by road..
