:: :: :: H O L I D A Y S U N L I M I T E D ::: W E S T I N D I A -- P U N E -- ::: :: :: :: ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

Pune is a contrast of history and modernism. Base of the Great Maratha Emperors and the Peshwas, the city has been a cultural capital of Maharashtra for centuries. Known as the Queen of Deccan, Pune is the Oxford of India - with its many educational and research institutions. Its hilly environs and salubrious climate lured the British, into making it their regional monsoon capital; today its fast becoming a base of multinational companies. While the regional theatre bubbles with life here, contemporary life comprising clubs, golf courses and theatre is progressing with the growing importance of the city.

Pune is very rich in its political, cultural, and historical heritage. Since, its geographical location, is at the banks of nearly 5 rivers, the city has been influenced from many cultures. Pune came into the limelight in the reign of Shivaji, and assumed mammoth importance. Shivaji ruled with religious impartiality, bringing a cultural similarity even in their diversity. But the Peshwas shaped Pune, into a properly planned, culturally and knowledge wise, rich city. Pune was the city where Lokmaya Tilak started the Ganesh Chaturthi festival, with the sole aim of uniting people, now celebrated worldwide. Pune is also the Oxford of India, with its many educational and research institutions. While the regional theatre bubbles with life here, contemporary life comprising clubs, golf courses and theatre is progressing with the growing importance of the city.

Pune has a salubrious climate. It is hot and dry in summer and cool and pleasant in winter. Pune is nested in the picturesque Sahyadris (the Western Ghats) at the banks of nearly 5 rivers, just 150 km south of Mumbai.

Air, rail and road connect Pune. By air, Pune is connected to Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, Bangalore, Ahmedabad, Baroda, Nagpur, Goa, Hyderabad and to every important destination in India. By rail, Pune is the main railhead and one of Deccans most important railway station. It is connected to every destination in India including Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, Bangalore, Ahmedabad and Trivandrum. By road, the National Highway links Mumbai to Pune. Bus Services are also available from Pune to Goa, Bangalore, Ahmednagar, Baroda, Kolhapur, Mahabaleshwar, Shirdi, Hyderabad and Aurangabad.

: T O U R I S T P L A C E S :

The Ashram of Shri Bhagwan Rajneesh, Pune is home to the Osho Commune International in Koregaon Park, originally set up by the controversial Bhagwan Rajneesh. The lushly landscaped 24 acre commune offers numerous programs with an emphasis on meditation.

The association of the incredible Saint Dnyaneshwar, halos Alandi, a township on the bank of the Indrayani river, also called as Devachi Alandi. Teen-ager Dnyaneshwar the author of Dnyaneshwari lived and attained samadhi in Alandi at a tender age of twenty-one. Alandi also has the sacred samadhi of Siddhabet in Indrayani and Temple of Vithoba-Rakhumai.

An age-old town, on the river Indrayani, Poet-Saint Tukaram was born and brought up in Dehu. Abhang Gatha, his eternal creation, has a proud place in Marathi literature. According to a legend, the adversaries of the saint poet, mercilessly sank his entire collection of Abhangas in the river, but low and behold, to their surprise, the Gatha surfaced and was saved. One can also see the old temples of Shiva and Vishnu, Tukaram Vrindavan (the birth place of Saint Tukaram), Gopalpura, Indrayani Doh, Bhandara Hill, Bham-Chandra Dongar.

Vinayaka" is another name of Lord Ganesh, loved and worshiped by every Hindu. Eight effigies found among the nature, sculptured by nature have been housed in the temples created ages ago at the places where the effigies were first identified. These Swayambhu effigies is the famous Ashta Vinayak Temples, which are scattered all over at various places within the range of only 20 to 110 Km.

Sinhagarh or the Lion Fort , situated in the Bhuleshwar range, was a small hill station during the British period. The roughly triangular ruined fort, stands in a beautiful setting on a hill. Muhammed Tughlaq captured the fort in 1328 and in 1486 Malik Ahmed, founder of Ahmednagar conquored it. Nearly 200 years later, the Marathas captured it, in what has created a place in history ,a legendary feat of bravery and skill ,by the commander, scaling the cliffs at night and taking the garrison by surprise.

The charming twin resorts of Lonavala and Khandala, are a welcome break from the heat and crowd of Mumbai. Perched 600m above sea level ,on the western slopes of the Sahyadri range, they offer a cool, invigorating climate and are a pleasant weekend getaway. They are at their greenest best, during the monsoons, when the waterfalls gush down ravines and mists envelopes the valley.

The summer capital of Mumbai, Mahabaleshwar is one of the most spectacular and the largest of Maharashtras hill-stations. Mahabaleshwar, which means God of Great Power, is a popular town with an air of unspoilt beauty. Pass your time boating or fishing in the placid Venna Lake, or explore the points that offer panoramic views of the valley and sea; or take a dip in the crystal waters of the numerous waterfalls around this picturesque locale, can be an enthralling experience that may want one, to come over and over again.

AGA KHAS PALACE - Mahatma Gandhi and other leaders of the Quit India movement were imprisoned here in 1942.

KESARI WADA - Once Sayajirao Gaikwad, the prince of Baroda state lived here. Bal Gangadhar Tilak bought the Wada from Sayajirao Gaikwad in 1905. It was here, where nightlong discussions were held on how to overthrow colonial rule.

LAL MAHAL - Renovated and recreated, the Lal Mahal resembles more a sandstone- red palace, than a traditional Wada. Historians assume it to have been built by Dadaji Konddev in 1640, and hence, the modern structure built, accords "Pride of Place" to a marble bust of Dadaji.

MASTANI MAHAL - Mastani Mahal was built by Bajirao I. Laying waste in the wilderness, Punes Kaka Dinkar Kelkar recreated the Mahal. An avid art collector, Kaka transplanted the fine wooden pillars and wall paintings to his museum at Pune.

PATALESHWARA TEMPLE - Just across the river on Jangli Maharaj Road is the wonderful rock-cut Pataleshwara Temple, a small 8th century temple similar in style to the much grander rock temple at Elephanta but never completed.

PESHWE UDYAN - Maintained by the Pune municipal Corporation, the Peshwe Udyan Zoo houses variety of species of wild animals. A toy-train ride, is a very special attraction for children and boating for the family.

RAJA KELKAR MUSEUM - Housed in a Rajasthani building, which holds the most fascinating artefacts, paintings, musical instruments etc. From the 36 sections of the museum, the masterpiece is the Mastani Mahal a MUST visit .

RASTE WADA - One of the largest remaining wadas, it now stands surrounded by a jungle of multi storied buildings. However, the massive core of the Raste Wada built by Anandrao Bhikaji Raste remains.

SHINDES CHHATRI - Close to the Pune racecourse is situated this beautiful architectural creation. This monument was built in the memory of the great Maratha nobleman Mahadji Shinde. Indeed an imposing edifice, the Shindes Chhatri displays serenity and austerity.

THE DURGADEVI PARK TEMPLE - A replica of the Vaishnodevi temple located at the Katra village in Jammu and Kashmir, this temple of Goddess Vaishnodevi is located in Pimpri. To the left of the temple one can find huge bare rocks and a couple of coconut trees.

TRIBAL MUSEUM - Just south of the railway line, and east of the railway station, this excellent museum documents the cultures of Maharastrian tribal communities, particularly those from the Sahyadri and Gondavana regions.

VISHRAM BAUGH - A three-storied mansion, it is remarkable for its beautiful entrance and the balcony with carved woodwork typical of the Peshwa period. Noted historian Babasaheb Purandare has undertaken the task of transforming the inner courts and the hall.