5 Best Tourist Places in Pune, India You Should Not Miss

Pune, India is a treasure house of tourist attractions and things to do that will keep you on your toes during your visit in India. There are so many historic and interesting places to visit in this ancient place. Here are five tourist attractions to consider when visiting Pune, India.

(Tiff’s note – we found India to a be an interesting place to travel. One thing we can highly recommend is going to Kanha Tiger Reserve. This was one of our highlights of India and you can read about it here.)

Shaniwar Wada

A beautiful historical place in the centre of the city one of the top things to do in Pune.  The fort, was built in 1732, was once seven floors high, and the impressive capital building of the Peshwa empire. However, an unexplained fire burned the fort in 1828, leaving behind only the structural remains of the palace.

<Side note: You can also download this post as GPSMyCity walking tour app. Click here. Then you can stroll around the city, at your leisure, without needing wifi and get all the cool info.>

The fortification walls, the gateways, and the nine bastions that surrounded the palace are what you will see when you visit today. In the auditorium there’s a daily English-language show which embodies the old fortress and the people who lived and worked there.

Aga Khan Palace

This beautiful palace is often regarded as one of the most historic and important landmarks in India. It is famously known as a place where Mahatma Ghandi was detained for years in the 1940s. There are shrines to his wife, Kasturba, and his secretary, Mahadevbhai Desai.

The building is an architectural delight. Outside you will find curved arches, grand columns and remarkable stairways. Inside the palace you can view the picture gallery detailing interesting events of Gandhi’s life and everyday exhibits from life whilst there.

Chaturshringi Temple

Legend has it that a rich merchant found a natural statue of the Goddess Chaturshringi after she appeared to him in a dream. Because of this he built a temple at this very location. The temple can be found on the top of a hill on the Senapati Bapat Road. To reach the main sanctum of the temple, you’ll have to climb around 100 stairs but the view from the top makes it worth it.

The best time to visit is during one of the many festivals which gives you a real feel of the local culture. Navratri, Holi, Chaitra Padwa, and Ganesh Chaturthi are some of the best festival times to visit the temple.

Sinhagad Fort

If you are interested in the history of the Maratha Empire then this is the place to visit. There are a few different ways to visit including trekking to the area, taking a bus, driving or taxi. While trekking you can see the beautiful view of the Sahyadri mountains and if you like to walk then it’s a good option. If you are worried about navigating then you might want to book on an organised tour.

The fort also serves as a training center for National Defence Academy, Khadakwasla. One can see the Panshet, Khadakwasla and Varasgaon dams and Torana fort also. The best time to visit the fort is during monsoons.

Pataleshwar

This protected monument is an 8th century temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. A perfect example of ancient Indian architecture. This historic temple is still in use today, you can see the offerings left by local people for their Lord Shiva. As well as tourists this site draws many students who use the peaceful area to study.

As local mythology goes the caves here were carved by the Pandavas whilst on exile to make a place to rest in just one night. It is considered one of the most religious places according to Hindu scriptures because of this.

Do you want to visit Pune, India?

If you are interested in Indian history then this is the place to visit. With so many historic places to see and explore so add Pune, India to your plans if you are able. 

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This post was written by third party writer Tim. All photos have been linked to their source for proper attribution.

Don’t miss out! This post can also be downloaded as a GPSMyCity walking guide. Click here. Then you can stroll around the city, at your leisure, without needing wifi and get all the cool info.