Pune

A tranquil destination, at the convergence of two majestic rivers, Mula and Mutha, Pune in Maharashtra holds a legendary past and a rich culture. This city is regarded as the cultural capital of the state and it offers a contented reprieve from the tiring life of Mumbai. This pleasing city with so many exotic locales serves as an ideal getaway destination to squander.

Pune boast of flamboyant past with a rich history of so many illustrious dynasties. These empires tried to keep their legacy in the city in the form of glorious temples and fabulous monuments, the relics of which still allures the visitors with its stunning elegance. Among the various attractions the 8th century Pataleshwar rock-cut temple, war memorial in the fond remembrance of the great Maratha heros and the Nandi Mandap needs a special rendering.

Literally Pune means Punyanagari or City of Virtue. During the early years of 17th century, the city has shown an all round development when Sivaji chose this city as his headquarters. From that date onwards, this city holds its traditions and moral etiquettes without a break.

Now the city is renowned for its excellent educational institutions and this city is often compared with the oxford city of London. Unlike the other cities, Pune prefers to be called as a centre of excellence in the field of education, arts and crafts. The institutions like the Armed Forces Medical College, Film and Television Institute of India, Symbiosis Educational Society and National Defense Academy have got international acclamation in their respective fields.

A briefing about Pune would be incomplete if there is no rendering about Osho Commune International. A man of mysteries, Osho’s teachings and meditation techniques had tremendous influence on his disciples.

Pune has a thriving market. Major tycoons in the industrial and software field have already established their outlets in Pune.

Pune embodies a synthesis of the old and the novel, of the conventional and the contemporary, appealing old wadas and swanky malls. Enclosed by lush greenery and a wholesome climate, Pune is sure to generate an enduring intuition in every visitor’s mind.

History
Once the stronghold of the great Maratha Empire, Pune was adorned with the prestigious title as the capital of the Maratha kingdom. It was here, that the illustrious warrior of Maratha dynasty, Shivaji had spent his childhood. Later in 1750, it became the core of all political and administrative activities under him.

Before the Maratha power ascended to the thrown, Pune had been ruled by an array of various rulers of different clan. Rashtrakutas in the 8th century A D Yadava Empire of 9th century and the Mughals of Medieval times had contributed much to the all round development of the city.

The British gained control of this city after the hectic war of 1817 against the Marathas. Like all other major Indian cities, Pune also has shown its flourishing graph under the British rule who had utilized the cities resources in a wonderful way. They developed the city as their summer capital.

A cradle of Indian renaissance during the pre-independence era, Pune had shown a massive participation of public in the freedom struggle. Pune would remembered for ever as the birth place of some of the great reformers in the socio religious fields. The most prominent of them all is Bal Gangadhara Tilak, who was popularly called as Lokmanya. Today’s Pune presents a perfect blend of all the virtues of the bygone days and the merits of modern era.

Culture
As the cultural capital of Maharashtra, Pune upholds its traditional values and rich heritage. Though the city exhibits a typical Maharashtrian lifestyle with conventional norms, the spread of modern education has provided the city with a progressive stance. Cultural face of the city is not restricted to the narrow ambiance of religion and the festivals and fiestas in the city is marked with an overwhelming enthusiasm of the people that daub out all the barricades of religious and cultural differences.

Among the festivals that adorns the city with a festive mood, Pune festival, allure people from all parts of the country. A grand podium for the budding artists in the field of music and dance, this festival would boost the imagination and creative capacity of the participants. This internationally acclaimed festival of classical and folk arts, is renowned not only for the excellent performance but also for the presence of an appreciating crowd.

Besides this grand fiesta, the city is renowned for the celebration of other colourful festivals like Sawai Gandharva festival, Ganesh Chaturthi, Chaturshringi festival, Osho festivals. Another aspect that needs a special mention is the enormous facilities in the field of Yoga and meditation. For the past few decades, Pune has been accredited as a great centre of yoga and allied activities, which attracts foreign and native tourists alike.

Since the city presents the fervor of a festive mood all round the year, the tourist find themselves in the midst of a pleasant and jovial environment that gave them a fond remembrance of a perfect holiday even after a long gap.

Food
As a fast growing tourist destination Pune offers a wide range of options to food buffs. Since Pune is a growing metropolis, the city won’t disappoint you as regards the food and dining options. Numerous bistros and eating jaunts are stretch athwart the city provides an assortment of gastronomy to its guests. One can experience the lip smacking delicacies of Pune along with the South and North Indian cuisines, especially the Udup, Maharashtrian, Kolhapuri dishes.

Typical Pune meal is flat millet pancakes, which is popularly called bhakri-pitla served with flour-based curry. Vada pav, missal, bhelpuri, and kacchi dabeli from the street hawkers are mouthwatering delicacies. Festivals are the occasions to prepare special foods. Soonth Panak, Puran Poli, Coconut Potali, Karanji and Chakli are the favourite dishes of the Maharashtrian family on auspicious days. Though coconut is the chief base of all most all dishes, coconut oil is not used in Maharashtrian dishes. Instead of that peanut oil is used as the medium of cooking.

Nightlife
Nights in Pune makes you believe that this city never sleeps even after the sun sets hours before. Its proximity to the Metropolitan city, life in Pune has become a replica of Mumbai. Recent years have shown a drastic growth in the number of clubs, pubs and discotheques in the city.

People take solace in these night jaunts after their hectic schedule of the day. The bars and pubs offer the glittering experience of good fast music, peppy dances along with premium quality of hot drinks. Enjoying the music, dance and drinks in the company of jovial people provide some fabulous feeling to all those who needs a change in their routine life.

Cultural freaks can enjoy the melodious music concerts or classical performances of eminent personalities in any of the theaters in the city. Nightlife in Pune is exciting and captivating. The assortment of pubs and bars offer exhilarating and jubilant nightlife with live concerts and other amusements.

Shopping
If shopping were your passion, Pune would be the ideal location for you. This city with its tremendous shopping malls and local markets unfurls an array of assorted artifacts, ranging from the traditional handicrafts to the sophisticated version of electronic goods.

If you are not so particular in purchasing something and want to have a glance of each and everything that are available, Laxmi Road market would be the apt place for you. Shops in the Tulsi Baug area offer conventional Maharashtrian goods, cosmetics and cookery items. This place would fetch you with the finest beauty kits, ornaments and other gift articles.

Nucleus and City malls reflect the modern trends in the shopping structure of the people. These two malls are designed in such a way that it provides all the amenities of a mall in metro. Nucleus and city mall encompass all kinds of shops, entertainments and food courts and the fashion fabric section and art gallery in a nice and calm ambiance. br>
Whatever be your choice, it is definite that shopping in Pune would help you to take the fond memories of a cherished city with you.