I am a Keralite, but I have lived most of my life in Pune and I am a proud citizen of this fantastic city!
General Facts
Pune as you all might know is also called the Oxford of the East and the cultural capital of Maharashtra. Over the past few years, Pune as a city has grown manifolds and now it is also one of the cities that can boast of Software Technology Park! The most outstanding aspect of Pune and its people is the sound balance they have maintained between modernity and the rich culture and tradition.
History
Pune has a glorious and a romantic past of nearly 600 years. Shivaji, spent his early childhood in Pune at Lal Mahal, a palace built by his father Shahaji. Dadaji Konddev, Shivaji’s mentor, developed Pune city. He constructed a temple of Ganesha called Kasba Ganapati. After Shivaji’s death in 1680 and the cold blooded murder of his son Sambhaji, Aurangazeb named Pune as Muhiyabad. Pune gained importance during the period of the second Peshwa Thorala (senior) Bajirao who ruled from 1720 to 1740. It was during his time, the palace of the Peshwas - Shaniwarwada was built. The various mahals or buildings were constructed by different Peshwas. There are still remains of a fountain with thousand outlets called Hazari Karanje. Due to the family fueds that ensued thereafter, the Maratha power came to an end in 1818, but the royal remains are still there!
Shopping
Laxmi Road is a hot favorite for shopping. You can park your vehicle in a corner and walk through the length and breadth of this place to buy anything you want You get the best of jewelry, fanciest of sarees and dress material, elegant foot wear, anything you ask for you get it here!
M.G.Road or the Main street, popularly known as Camp is also a good place for shopping, but is a little expensive Laxmi Road. But you get trendy and wonderful stuff here. It is also the perfect place for window shopping!
Two other places that are hot favorites of the youngsters (and even the others) are fashion street and Hong kong lane. Visit these places if you are in a mood to bargain and want to pick up trendy, but inexpensive stuff!!
Sightseeing
Sarasbagh was built by Nanasaheb Peshwa, surrounding the Parvati Hill. Now with a Ganapati Temple in the center, and a beautiful garden with lush green lawns, it is a popular hangout for the adults and the young alike.
Raja Kelkar Museum situated on Bajirao Road is a must see for tourists. It is one-man collection items of rare exhibits and artifacts from all over the country. They were collected by Shri Dinkar Ganghadhar Kelkar over a period of 70 years. Some of the exhibits dates back to the Mughal and the Maratha periods. The most enchanting attraction is the Mastani Mahal, brought from the original settings and re-erected here.
Aga Khan Place is situated on Nagar Road and is also known as Kasturba Gandhi Memorial or Kasturba Samadhi. It was built in 1892 by Imam Sultan Muhammad Shah Agakhan III and was donated to India in 1969 by Aga Khan IV. Gandhiji and his wife Kasturba were under house arrest (towards the end of the British rule in India) in this palace.
The other places to visit are: Shaniwar wada, Parvati hills, Osho commune, Katraj snake park, Pataleshwar caves, Fire temple, Splash Mountains (a water park) and Shinde’s Chatri.
Restaurants
When you think of eating out in Pune, you have a lot of speciality options. It is not like going to a restaurant and opting for south Indian, Punjabi or Chinese food. Now, variety is the key word, where the culinary specialities of a couple of dozen countries reflect the cosmopolitan nature of the city. Pune with its rich blend of local and cosmopolitan crowd, seems to have a perfect menu for each and everyone. Be it Chinese, Italian, French, Continental, Mexican, Swiss, German, Japanese, Thai... the list seems to be endless, you can find an appropriate place to visit in Pune!
Night Life
Pune has an overwhelming number of nightclubs. So it you like to visit a pub or if you like to dance away to the best of music, then Pune is the place for you! Most of these nightclubs have become a regular hangout for the young crowd.
Conclusion
Pune has been famous for the annual Ganapati Festival. It was also known as the army and airforce base. Now, it is evolving into an industrial and a hi-tech city with a large number of industrial houses, software companies, educational institutions, and research institutes. It is a happening city, and no one can deny it!