Pune Trip

Sunday, January 15, 2006

Going to Pune

Well, 3 co-workers of mine and I are headed for Pune, India for about 7 days. Our employer is sending us train our co-workers in Pune on the software we have been developing in the states for the past 6+ years.

Of the 4 of us going, 3 of us have never been to India and the 4th, actually grew up in Pune. In any case, the trip should be interesting. I hope to be able to update this on a regular basis to document the trip since it is not everyday you have the opportunity to travel around the world.

We leave tomorrow, fly to Newark to Delhi, then to Pune from there. We'll have 5 days to work, and hopefully 2 days to play while we are there.

I've done a little research on the "play" side of things, and here are some things that I thought might be interesting in and around Pune:


OK, after a little research, I have compiled the following list of recommended places to go in and around Pune. There is also some shopping info and Pune links at the bottom.

The Patalesh Cave Temple definitely sounds interesting. The Pavarti Hill and Temples also sound good and it appears that there are many things to do and see in and around this area. The Raja Dinkar Kelkar Museum seems like a quirky museum that may be fun, while it has been recommended that we check out the Osho Commune.

-Harry


Site-seeing

· Pataleshwar Cave Temple –

o Ensconced deep in the heart of the city, at Shivajinagar, is a 8th century rock-cut temple. Reminiscent of Ellora, the temple has been painstakingly hewn from a single rock and houses massive pillars, a Shiva shrine and a Nandi bull.

o A marvelous respite from the bustle in Pune, Pataleshwar Cave Temple is quite elegant and exudes spirituality. Adding to the tranquility and beauty of the site is the circular stone gazebo (Nandi mapandapam) standing by the entrance of this small underground temple, which is a must visit place for the tourists to Pune.

· Osho Commune –

o Situated in Koregaon Park, more popularly also known as the Rajneesh Ashram.. You can experience meditation, visit a meditation resort, take an online tarot reading, enjoy an online magazine, as well as buy books. In order to stay at Osho commune one has to fill a spot registration form along with a blood test taken at the premises. This is a pre-requisite for entry and the admission is as per the rules & regulations of the Ashram authorities.

o The controversial ashram of Osho (also known as Rajnish) is located in Koregaon Park. It is a lush green 24-acre commune, described as the "spiritual Disneyland for disaffected First World yuppies" by the Wall Street Journal. A number of programs with special emphasis on new-age meditation are conducted here. This place is worth more than a visit in Pune.

o Definitely recommended: the shopping nearby is nice.

o http://www.osho.com/

· Parvati Hill and Temples –

o The Parvati Temple was the erstwhile private shrine of the Peshwa rulers. Now it is a popular tourist spot, with the Parvati and Devdeveshwar temples standing atop a hill and also the Parvati Museum which houses replicas of ancient paintings, old manuscripts, weapons and coins.

o Saras Baug: A sunken garden at the foothills of Parvati Hill, this is a popular evening hangout

o http://www.virtualpune.com/html/localguide/attractions/html/parvati_hills.shtml

· Raja Dinkar Kelkar Museum –

o This Rajasthani-style building showcases a one-man collection of some of the most fascinating Indian artifacts one can ever get to see. Among 36 sections full of antiques, carved palace doors, miniatures, the 'Mastani Mahal' is particularly famous. Mastani was the mistress of ‘Peshwa Bajirao’, the Prime Minister of Satara. This impressive collection was donated to the Govt of Maharashtra by Shri Dinkar Kelkar and is only displayed by rotation.

o The collection is eclectic and exceptional. In a pleasant change from the other well-known museums of India, the Raja Denkar Kelkar museum exhibits the diversity of India's culture in a subtle and delightful way. The elephant-shaped foot scrubber, a brass scorpion that reveals a secret lock and eight images of Lord Ganesha carved on a bean make it a place to see in Pune.

o Interesting Collection of everyday used Articals, representing about 40 sections. Namely - Lamps, Woodwork, Paintings, Textile, Kitchenware & a gallery for women (jewelry, combs, vajri etc.)

§ Address:
1378, Shukrawar Peth, Natubaug ,
Pune-411002,

§ Timings:
9.30 am -5.30 pm
( entry closed - 5.30 pm )

· Pashan lake - 12 kms. north of NDA, this beautiful lake is a home to a variety of migratory and residential birds.

o http://www.indospectrum.com/travels/ind/pashan_lake_1.html

· Bund Garden –

o These gardens located on the banks of the Mula-Mutha rivers are a treat during winters with a number of migratory birds. Some years back a jogging track was added to the gardens increasing its popularity. Boat rides are also available in the river's backwaters. The Bund Gardens are located at a distance of 2 km from the Pune Railway Station.

· The Aga Khan Palace –

o Kasturba Gandhi Smriti Mandir - This beautiful building with salons and suites, is a great historical landmark. It was here that Mahatma Gandhi and other leaders of the Indian National Congress were imprisoned during the 1942 Quit India Movement. Here lies the samadhi of Kasturba Gandhi, the Mahatma's wife. Amongst the must visit spots here are the marble memorials of Kasturba Gandhi and Mahadeobahi Desai who had breathed their last here.

o

o KASTURBA GANDHI SMR1TI MANDIR (The Aga Khan's Palace)

o

o The Aga khan's Palace, a combination of Muslim and French architecture, is sited on about 19 acres of land, of which 7 acres, including the Palace were donated by H. H. Prince Karim Aga khan to Gandhi Smarak Nidhi in the Gandhi Centenary year 1969.

Address : Gandhi National Memorial
Trust, Aga Khan Palace,
Pune-411 006.

Timings : 9.00 am - 5.45 pm


Shopping


    • There is some since shopping near the Osho commune.

    • MG Road:

      • Upmarket shops, mainly branded national and international chains

      • M.G. Road and East Street: The best shopping area for foreigners is M.G. Road and East Street. The Bombay Store (http://www.bombaystore.com/) is a good shop for nick knacks. Taking a local with you for shopping is advantageous since most prices are negotiable (there are exceptions).

    • Laxmi Road:

      • Famous for a wide variety of Pune cotton-silk sarees

      • I hear this place is questionable, but may have cheap stuff.

    • Bajirao Road and Tulsi Bagh: For garments and textiles, especially the traditional nine-yard saree and furniture

    • Hanuman Mandir: For silver clothing, toys, embroidery items and traditional sweet shops like Chitale Bandhu, known for pedas, barf is and amrakhanda as well as the spicy bhakar wadis

http://www.virtualpune.com/

http://www.punecitymag.com/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pune

http://www.aroundpune.com/

http://www.mapsofindia.com/maps/maharashtra/pune.htm

http://www.maxabout.com/citiestowns/showarticle.aspx?Name=Pune

http://www.punecity.com/

http://www.trainenquiry.com/StaticContent/Tourist_Info/pune.html

http://punebloggers.blogspot.com/

http://bhatkanti.blogspot.com/ -- good pictures

http://www.spicejet.com/Pune_Tourism.asp

http://www.hotelpresidentpune.com/local_info.asp -- pictures and descriptions

posted by Unknown at 9:19 PM

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