Pune
नमस्कार Rotaractors! We, the team ‘Mahabloggers’ from Rotaract district 3131, Pune, India, welcome you aboard on this virtual tour, ‘ महाराष्ट्राची चंदेरी दुनिया’ around our glorious and magnificent state of Maharastra with 36 spectacular and eminent districts, each rich with its distinct culture, heritage, and history, yet rooted to the illustrious spirit of valor of this state, which is the जन्मभूमी of innumerous brave and historically significant personalities. So, fasten your seat belts as we take you around the resplendent districts of Maharashtra. Our next destination for this tour is ‘amcha’ Pune.
Introduction of Pune:-
Pune, which used to be known as Poona is famous for a lot of things. Some might have heard of it as the “Oxford of the East”, “Automobile and manufacturing hub of India”, or perhaps even by its title of one of “the most livable cities in India” which it has been awarded on several occasions. With an estimated population of 7.4 million, Pune is everything those titles say and much more.
Pune is the 9th most populated city in India and the second largest in the state of Maharashtra. Its history is closely tied to the Maratha Empire and during the 18th century, Pune was the political center of India because it was then the seat of the Peshwas, who were the prime ministers of the Maratha Empire, it then became one of the major military bases of the British colonizers.
Pune has a fascinating view of history and the modern culture for anyone who is willing to explore. From historical sites to the booming industries, taking a tour of the Oxford of the East is bound to leave anyone hungry to learn more about it.
Culture and traditions of Pune:-
Pune exemplifies Marathi culture and ethos where education, arts, crafts, and theatre hold a lot of importance. It is the home to famous poet-saint Tukaram, freedom fighter Bal Gangadhar Tilak, and contemporary scientist Jayant Narilikar. It is the seat of North Indian classical music and hosts a three-night long cultural program of vocal and instrumental classical music called “Savai-Gandharva” in December.
While all Indian festivals are celebrated with equal enthusiasm in Pune without any barriers, Pune is the most vibrant during Ganesh Chaturthi (not unlike most areas in Maharashtra). While it is unknown how and when Ganesh Chaturthi was first celebrated, it has been publicly celebrated in Pune since the era of Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj (in the 17th century), and the enthusiasm for the festival only seems to go up every year in the city.
Tourism in Pune:-
Like most districts in Maharashtra, there’s a lot to explore in Pune, and in no way could it be done simply in one day. To see all one should, a traveler should pack their bags well because it will be a long trip. Here are some of the prime locations to visit:
- AgaKhan Palace: Built in 1892 by Sultan Mahommed Shah, Aga Khan III, the palace was an act of charity to provide employment for people hit by famine in the neighbouring regions and was donated to India in 1969 by Prine Karin El Husseni, Aga Khan IV. It holds a strong historical significance as Kasturba Gandhi and Mahadev Desai (Gandhi’s long time aid) spent their last days in the palace. Gandhi’s ashes are inn this location too and the palace is now also known as the Kasturba Samadhi.
2. Shaniwar Wada: Even those with minimal interest in history know about Shaniwar Wada due to the representation in recent pop culture. Bajirao laid the foundation of the place that would be his residence with a handful of earth from Lal Mahal (also a great place to visit) on a Saturday (10th January 1730) and its opening ceremony too was on a Saturday (22nd January 1732), hence its name. Shaniwarwada is a one of those places which turns even the most inexperienced into high quality photographers solely because of its raw beauty and architecture and for that reason it becomes a must visit location in Pune for anyone who enjoys beaty, culture, and history.
3. Khadakwasla Dam: Built on the Mutha river, and located in the vicinity of the National Defense Academy, the Khadakwasla dam remains a hotspot of nature and adventure lovers alike. From cascades to nesting birds, this area has a scenic beauty that can only be truly understood and appreciated once you’re there. With the amount of local eateries and other attractions around, this place becomes a great area to start touring Pune from while getting some beautiful pictures for memory.
4. Singhad Fort: A fort blackened by time that stands as the pride of pune stands high at 1312 meters above the sea level. This fort has a lot to offer to its visitors. Tombs, monoliths, temples, breweries, and military depots, rest assured anyone who visits the fort will not leave unamused. Its haunting beauty and historical significance is bound to leave anyone who visits breathless.
5. Parks and Zoos: Pune has a plethora of parks, zoos, and reserves for anyone who enjoys pretty landscape and nature’s beauty. Nehru Park, SarasBaug, Bund Garden, Pu La Deshpande Udyan are just a few to name that have breathtaking views and are sure to give visitors the moment of peace they came looking for.
Food in Pune:-
The seat of Peshawas also retains its traditional cuisine and a special traditional meal here would include Puran Poli (sweet paratha with pulses stuffed in), Missal Pav (spicy mixture of onions, chilly and small savoury items, with bread) and , Matki Ki Usal (masala sprouts) just to name a few items. For those with a sweet tooth, Pune offers its Shrikhand (a burnt milk delicacy) and the seasonal Amras Puri (thick mango juice with fried ‘puris’) complete the traditional Maharashtrian feast.
This was all about the beautiful district of Pune from our side. If you hail from Pune and found this blog great, then please do let us know in our comment section below and share this with your other Punekars. Also let us know if we have missed out on any amazing spot from Pune. Like, share and do comment on our blogs so that they reach maximum rotaractors who wish to travel and know more about our Maharashtra.
Follow our amazing district’s ERYLA page for regular updates of ERYLA and do participate in our 3 days long ERYLA for 2020, full of enthralling and engaging activities with a great and insightful speaker line-up to make it like never before. Stay tuned to this space to take a virtual trip to the next amazing district of Maharashtra
This is tooo beautiful 💥
ReplyDeleteKudoos to the team