| PUNE |
Pune formerly known as Punawadi or Punya-Nagari or Poona, is the eighth largest city in India, and the second largest in the state of Maharashtra, after Mumbai. Situated 560 metres above sea level on the Deccan plateau at the confluence of the Mula and Mutha rivers, Pune is the administrative capital of Pune district and the 7th Metro city of India.
Pune is known to have existed as a town since 937 AD. Shivaji, the founder of the Maratha Empire, lived in Pune as a boy, and later oversaw significant growth and development of the town during his reign. In 1730, Pune became an important political centre as the seat of the Peshwa, the prime minister of the Chhatrapati of Satara. After the town was annexed to British India in 1817,
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it served as a cantonmenttown and as the "monsoon capital" of the Bombay Presidency until the independence of India.
Today, Pune is known for its educational facilities, having more than a hundred educational institutes and nine universities. Pune has well-established Manufacturing, Glass, Sugar and Metal Forging industries since 1950-60s. Pune also has a growing industrial hinterland, with many information technology and automotive companies setting up factories in Pune district. Additionally, Pune city is well known for various cultural activities like Classical Music, Sports, Literature, Foreign language learning and Administrative, Economics, Social Science studies. These activities and job opportunities attract migrants and students from all over India, and also attract students from Middle-East,Iran, Eastern Europe, South-East Asia which makes for a city of many communities and cultures. |
| PLACES OF ATTRACTION: |
Shaniwar Wada: |
here lie the ruins of the Peshwa palace built by Bajirao ? I in the 18th century. for a long time the palace was the seat of the political power in Maharashtra and still continues to be symbol of Pune?s culture. |
Sarasbagh: |
there is a famous Ganesh Temple built on a small hill-lock which used to be surrounded by a lake. Several years ago. The lake was drained out in order to make way for a park. Naow there are beautiful green lawns and fountains.
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Shinde?s Chhatri: |
the memorial dedicated to the great Maratha nobleman Mahadaji Scindia is situated 2 km from the race course in a place called Vanavadi. The building is great architectural achievement which combines imposing austerity with beauty. |
Vishrambagh Wada: |
the three storey mansion is famous for its entrance which is surrounded by a balcony. The carved woodwork on the balcony is a fine example of Peshwa art. |
Chaturshrungi Temple: |
It is the small hillock dedicated to Godess "Durga". The presiding deity is Goddess Ambreshwari. An annual Navaratri fair is held here in he month of "Ashwin'. The temple is built in Chh. Shivaji era. |
Dehu: |
Situated on the bank of river Indrayani, this is the birth place of Saint Tukaram Maharaj. Pilgrims come here in large numbers. It is 34 kms away from Pune city. replica watches
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Ashtavinayak Temple: |
Lord Ganesh is the protector of his devotees. Eight effigies found among the nature, sculptured by nature have been housed in temples created ages ago at the places where the effigies were first identified.These are "Swayumbhu" effigies. Out of these Ashtavinayakas, five temples viz. Morgaon (Moreshwar),Theur (Chintamani), Ranjangaon (Mahaganapati), Ozar (Vighnahar), Lenyadri (Girijatmak) are in Pune district. |
Alandi: |
Alandi is 25 kms away from Pune. Popularly known as "Devachi Alandi" (God's Place) has Samadhi and a temple of the saint poet Dnyaneshwar. The temple was built in 1570. Saint Dnyaneshwar wrote the Marathi translation of the 'Bhagvat Geeta' called 'Dnyaneshwari'. The othet famous places in Alandi are Vitthal-Rakhumai temple, Ram temple, Krishna temple and Muktai temple.
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Lonavla ? Khandala: |
Very popular hill stations, known for their resplendent green beauty during rains, these twin hill stations offer romantic hills, small waterfalls and the works? A place very easily reachable by train or by road, 70 km from Pune, it's just about an hour-and-a-half long drive. A number of hotels, motels and resorts assure you comfortable stay. Located at a four hours trek is the dreamy hamlet of Rajmachi from where the twin forts of Manoranjan and Shrivardhan are worth seeing. Besides, a quick weekend getaway to Lonavala is perfect to de-stress you out with must visits to the Lonavala Lake, Bushy Dam, Tiger's Leap, Ryewood Park,Tungarli Dam, Barometer Hill. Also what makes the place famous is the famous Chikki (made of jaggery and groundnuts) and also the chocolate fudge! A must visit in the rainy seasons; some of the recommended hotels include Duke's Retreat at Khandala and Fariyas at Lonavala! Blancpain Replica Watches
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Sinhagad Fort: |
Easily the most popular getaway, not withstanding that it's much closer than the other forts, the Pashan lake and the lovely drive makes it a much adored and a desired picnic and getaway spot. The Lion Fort, as it would quite literally translate into, is located 25 kilometers South of Pune perched on a steep hill. Once known as Kondhana, the proximity of this fort to Pune has been commercialized to quite an extent. Buses are available from the Sarasbaug Bus Stand, which drop you till the foothill.
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Agakhan Palace: |
Gandhi National Memorial Society's Agakhan Palace is the Italian arches and lawns. This place has been used as a prison by Britishers for Mahatma Gandhi, Kasturba Gandhi and Mahadeobhai Desai during the 'Quit India Movement'. Marble memorials were put later on in the memory of Kasturba and Mahadeobhai. as both of them breathed their last in this place.
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Shaniwarwada: |
Shaniwar Wada a 13 storey palace of Peshwas was built by Bajirao-I, in the year 1736.It was head quarter of the Peshwas and it symbolizes Pune's culture.The structure was built giving security the highest priority. The main entrance is known as 'Delhi Darwaja' & others have names like Ganesh, Mastani, Jambhal, Khidki. The statue of Bajirao-i on horse in front of Shniwarwada. In side one can see Ganesh Mahal, Rang Mahal, Aarsa Mahal, Hasti_Dant Mahal, Diwan Khana and fountain. A light and music show is conducted every day showing history of Peshwas. The palace was the seat of Peshwa power and later was destroyed by a fire in 1828. All that remails are the walls that fortified this palace, with sturdy doors, studded with spikers for added protection.
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Rajgad Fort: |
It is about 85 kms from Pune at village Gunjawane, Tal. Velhe. This fort has great historical relevance, as it was Shivaji's favourite fort and first mountain capital. Rajgadh has treacherous approaches, zigzag narrow paths and deceptive double walled armour of its ramparts. The massive pali gate, nedhe or elephant's eye still exists. The view from the top offers a magnificent view of the Sahyadri ranges.
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Katraj Snake Park: |
As the name suggests, this place has a collection of snakes., reptiles, birds and turtles. It has 160 species of snakes. Mr. Neelam Kumar Khaire set it up in the year 1986. It was later incorporated in the Rajeev Gandhi Udyan in 1999. Latest addition is a zoo to this park. This place is 8 kms from Pune situated on the Pune-Satara road near Bharati Vidyapeeth.
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Sambhaji Park: |
This beautiful garden is in Pune city near Deccan Gymkhana next to 'Balgandharva Rang Mandir' on Jangli Maharaj road. Main attraction here is the fish aquarium and a small fort. Various types of trees, flowers, lush green lawn and fountains add to the beauty of garden.
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Bhatgar Dam: |
40 kms away from Pune city , this is a beautiful scenic place. The dam is built on the river Velvandi. It is one of the highest river wall dam in india. Beautiful gardens with water sports have been developed in the surrounding areas, which are worth watching.
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Mulshi: |
The place is near to Pune towards the west. One of the attractive picnic spot developed in recent time. The small village Mulshi in Mulshi taluka has all the natural beauties, which attracts the visitors. A lake named 'Valanewadi' which is just 5 kms away from Mulshi. The village falls in the Sahyadri ranges, has deep forest with marvelous forts nearby viz. Dhangad and korigadh. besides, the place is also famous for its mountains and plateau named "Lavmai'. The hills named Hattihant, Pagota are amazing to see which reach to a height of almost 1000m. Above all, Mulshi is mainly famous for its dam which generates power.
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