Posted 21 October 2022 in Travel wanderlust

Everything you can do on a weekend getaway to Pune

Pune, also known as Poona, is the 9^th largest city in India, and the 2^nd largest city in Maharashtra after Mumbai. It is located on the Deccan Plateau at the confluence of the Mutha and Mura rivers. The city of Pune is the administrative capital of the Pune district and is known to have existed as a city since 847 AD, originally known as Pune Wadi. Today, Pune is known for its higher educational institutions and relatively rich places.

Pune is located on the central-western side of the Maharashtra state. Pune is also recognised as the Queen of Deccan and is the artistic centre of the Maratha tribe. The city first became important as Bonsul Maharaj’s capital in the 17^th century. After being temporarily captured by the Mughal Empire, it again served as the official capital of Marathas until it fell to the British Army between the period of 1714-1817. Coming from such a rich history, it is now a famous tourist attraction with cool weather, historical as well as religious monuments, parks, museums, cultural attractions, and hotels.

A large complex of industrial districts has been developed around Pune. The roads from Pune to Mumbai, previously known as Bombay, Solapur, Ahmednagar and Satara are dotted with large factories producing numerous products.

The old town is primarily a residential and commercial area that sees many commuters on a daily basis. Few of the well-known hill forts of the Maratha Kingdom, such as Singado, are now resorts. An important religious centre is Bimashankar, where Jyotirlinga Shrine is located. The famous Marathi poet, Tukaram, was born in Pune. Pune is also the home of Dnyaneshwar, author of a famous commentary on the Hindu script Bhagavad Gita, and Theravada, Buddhist famous Carulle and Carulli with the Bajaj caves. Nearby sites are Meherazad and Meherabad, which are related to MeherBaba.

List of Best things to do in Pune

David Synagogue: The architectural style of the monument is stunning, with huge Gothic front columns and a clock tower overlooking the entire city.
Aga Khan Palace: The Aga Khan Palace is a historically important place in Pune, famed for its connection with the Indian independence movement. The British kept many important freedom fighters in this palace.
Shaniwar Wada: Shaniwar Wada was the palace of the great Peshwa dynasty in Pune. Shaniwar Wada’s architectural design shows the influence of the Mughal style yet is a testament to the Marathi culture, and the characteristics of the Marathi-art-style are incorporated in it.
National War Museum: A 25 ft pillar signifies the monument. This wonderful inkling was fruitful thanks to the help of the individuals of Pune, regardless of their belief or religion. All kinds of people have generously supported this great purpose. It is a patriotic place and it pays homage to the countless sacrifices of Indian warfighters.
Pataleshwar Cave: In the core of Jangli Maharaj Road, in the Shivaji Nagar of Pune, a historic temple, Pataleshwar Cave is located. This temple is made from a single hard stone; God Pataleshwara is worshipped here. The temple supported huge pillars and was built similar to buildings such as Mumbai's Elephanta Caves.
Dehu: Renowned as the hometown of the poet Tukaram, it is an old city on the Indravati River’s banks. Tukaram, the most respected ancient poet in Maharashtra, and "Abangasa," his work, considered a phenomenal piece of literary works of Marathi are revered by people. The Dehu Temple is a key attraction of Pune.
Raja Dinakar Kelkar Museum: The magnificent museum has unique exhibits such as an elephant-shaped foot scrubber, an image of Shri Ganesh, and brass scorpion with a secret locking system. The "Mastani Mahal'' reconstructed at the museum is a big attraction.
Band Garden: The band garden, built by Sir Janshezi, has the aim of providing agricultural water to the poor. Also known as Gandhi Udiyan, the Band Garden is a site for visitors looking for a peaceful and quiet place away from busy urban life. The band garden is full of abundant plants that attract visitors.
Marien Church: This church is a sophisticated structure with a mixture of Indian and British architectural styles. This church is one of the oldest churches in Pune.
Osho Ashram:Bhagwan Rajneesh Ashram a.k.a. Osho Ashram is located on a beautiful 32 acre campus in the Koregaon Park area of Pune. The ashram is a chief attraction for travellers who follow the ideology and sermons of Bhagwan Rajneesh.
Parvati Hill Temple: Parvati Hill is a scenic place above the Pune city. The temple of Parvati Hill is a significant religious destination for Hindus. It preserves the statues of Goddesses Parvati, Sir Ganesha, Sir Vish, Devateshwar, and Sir Kartikeya. Parvati Hill is a perfect place for trekkers.
Lake Mulshi and Dam: The lake is built in the catchment area of Mursidam. The dam is a great place for a picnic with a picturesque environment, unused Sahyadri hills, lush forests and nearby ancient forts such as Korai Gado and Dangad. The dense forests around the dams and lakes provide views of rare wildlife and a variety of trees such as teak, sag, mango and oak. Forests and lakes are also natural habitats for birds. Lake Mulshi and the dam are ideal excursions for lovers of nature.
Paragliding: Pune is a renowned place for educational institutions related to paragliding. One of the best facilities, the Flying Safari, is here to provide quality paragliding education, and the institute's facilities are spectacular. Courses here range from basic levels to the development of pro flying skills. Trainees have access to accommodation. This sporting activity is open round the year, except during the heavy monsoon season. It provides enthusiastic travellers with the opportunity to be a paraglider.
Horseback riding activity: Horseback riding in the city of Pune is an exclusive opportunity for travellers to do something different during their vacation. There are a number of riding schools. Some of these centres also offer tourists horseback riding opportunities. Equestrian packages from Pune city to Sinhagad Fort are available. Equestrian training camps offer amenities for riders of all age groups. Equestrian practice takes place at the horse-riding school's outdoor stadium. An expert trainer manages the progress of your training.
Foodie’s corner: Sorghum and pearl millet are the main ingredients in traditional Puneri cuisine. Speciality products include Misal Paav, Puran Poli, Bhakri with Pithla, Bhel Puri, and Paav Bhaaji. Mastaani, a rich milkshake made with dried fruits, is this city’s speciality. Misal Pav, Vada pav, Poha, and Daabeli are the most-loved street foods. As a big city, Pune also offers a large variety of fine-dine restaurants serving cuisine from across the globe.
Shoppers’ retreat: Pune is a shopping paradise. Pune's shopping district offers a huge variety of products, from traditional Kolhapuri chappals to electronic products. MG Road is popular for selling clothes, frying pans and other items, and Tulsi Baug, which is opted for to buy cheap clothes and shoes, are few of Pune's main shopping streets.

Travel tips for Pune

Pune has a pleasant climate so no special dressing is needed. One can dress as in any other metro city while visiting Pune.
It is a preferred option to rent a self-drive car or use public transport for travelling between spots as they are quite far from each other.
The Pune city is on the national highway NH48 itself. So, if one cannot find a direct flight to Pune, they can land in Mumbai and travel by local train, public or private buses, or by a private vehicle and reach within3 hours.

How to travel to Pune?

Pune is a very accessible location from any side. Pune has its own airport and is connected to the national highway for effortless road connectivity. Trains are also a great option if wanting to travel cheap yet comfortably.

Flight routes of Mumbai-Pune, Delhi-Pune, Bengaluru-Pune, Nagpur-Pune, and Chennai-Pune are very popular as they save us a lot of hours and prevent travel exhaustion. IndiGo provides multiple flights to Pune. Since most people like travelling here by road via private vehicles, very few people are seen using the Mumbai-Pune air route but when the need arises, this route is used mostly as a layover option for people staying in faraway cities like Delhi.

Best time to travel Pune

The most preferred time of travel to Pune is September-June. During this time, you can avoid heavy rains that might spoil your fun trip to Pune.

For tourists who prefer holidaying when the sun is out, the best time for travelling to Pune is mid-March to Mid-May when the sun is pleasant and the heat isn’t extreme enough to give you a sunburn.
The winters in Pune are the pleasant kind where one craves a blanket but is not shivering early in the morning. Visiting Khandala and Lonavala is highly preferred, with scenic valley views and cool breeze through your hair.

Travellers that enjoy the rain and cold can visit the city during the July to February period. Pune experiences heavy rains and most of the attractions in Pune are outdoor, so one is left with fewer options to explore.

One cannot pinpoint a perfect time as every individual has unique tastes about things to do. One must study their visit and then plan any kind of trip.

Climate in Pune

In Pune, the rainy season is severe, windy and overcast. The dry season is usually sunny. It's hot all year round. Throughout the year, temperatures typically fluctuate between 55° F and 97° F, rarely below 48° F or above 102° F.

The hot season lasts 2.5 months from March to May, with an average daily maximum temperature of over 29° C. The hottest month of the year in Pune is May, with an average temperature of 26° C.

The cool season lasts for around 3 months from June to September, with an average daily maximum temperature of less than 26° C. January is the coldest month around the year in Pune, average minimum temperature of 55 degrees Fahrenheit and a maximum temperature of 26 degrees Fahrenheit are achieved.

Conclusion

The land of Shivaji Maharaj in Pune has been the cultural centre of Maharashtra, a manufacturing site for sugar, forging and glass industries since the 1950s. With IT and car plants in Pune, the industrial hinterland is ever-growing. Many of the city's attractions and monuments are not only representative of the magnificent architecture and grandeur of the rulers, but also reminiscent of the city's efforts to adhere to culture and traditions.