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PUNE
INTRODUCTION
 While
it has always been a corporate stopover, Pune has its mix of potpourri
and culture which makes for interesting sight seeing within the
city! For those interested in history and architecture, Pune offers
a mix of the modern interlaced with the old!.
Once upon a time Pune was a very sedate Maharashtrian city... very
representative of the Maratha heartland.The arrival of Osho Rajneesh
and his flock changed that completely. The Ashram put Pune on the
world map and has given this deeply traditional and staid city a
strange new and very odd flavour. The migration of plenty of Bombay
folk to the town too is increasingly giving the city a more cosmopolitan
nature.
PLACES TO VISIT
Gandhi Memorial Hall
Across the river in Yerwada in this fine memorial set in 6.5 hectares
of gardens. Built by Imamsultan Muhammad Sha Aga Khan III in 1892,
it was the Aga Khan's palace until 1956 after which it became a
school. In 1969 it was donated to India by the Aga Khan IV. After
Mahatma Gandhi delivered his momentous Quit India resolution in
Bombay in 1942, the British interned him and other leaders of India's
independence movement here for nearly two years.
Pataleshwar Caves
This 8th century rock cut temple is hidden in the heart of the city,
in the midst of modern high rise structures and developments, at
Shivajinagar. Reminiscent of Ellora, the temple has been carved
out of a single boulder of awe inspiring size which includes massive
pillars, a Shiva shrine and a Nandi bull. The temple is used by
worshippers even today.
Bund Garden
This garden is also known as the Mahatma Gandhi Udhayan. It was
built by Sir Jamshedji Jeejeebhoy, on the right bank of the Mula-Mutha
to provide the poor with water during summer. Main attraction here
is the evening boat rides, horse rides etc. The garden is famous
for Bhel-Puri and Pani-Puri. It is situated on the Airport road
and very close to the Camp area.
Parvati Hill and Temples
Standing atop this hillock you get a vertical glimpse of Pune. A
steep flight of 108 narrow steps lead to the hill top temple built
by Balaji Baji Rao. 'Nagarkjana' drum house is the imposing temple
of Parvati and Devdeveshwar. This was once the private shrine of
the Peshwas. It is also the final resting place of Nana Saheb Peshwa.
The Parvati museum houses portraits of Peshwas, old manuscripts,
coins etc.
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