Ruchira takes us on a tour of Pune, a city replete with history, culture, cuisine and more. An exclusive for Different Truths.
In Maharashtra, after Aamchi Mumbai, the city I love is Pune or Poona. Vibrating and pulsating with life, Pune is a harmonious blend of capitalism and spiritualism, ancient, medieval and modern elements. It houses a major cantonment of the Indian army. Proximity to Mumbai, the nation’s financial capital, coupled with pleasant weather conditions and accessibility to several prominent tourist destinations, makes Pune a highly favourable place to live or settle in. A few decades ago, Pune climbed onto the bandwagon of the country’s IT hub along with Hyderabad, Bengaluru, and Gurugram. Pune combines the ambience of a small town – vast open spaces and profuse greenery – with an urbanised and modern outlook.
A few decades ago, Pune climbed onto the bandwagon of the country’s IT hub along with Hyderabad, Bengaluru, and Gurugram. Pune combines the ambience of a small town – vast open spaces and profuse greenery – with an urbanised and modern outlook.
Since the times of the Raj, the city has enjoyed the sobriquet of Oxford of the East, owing to the presence of a number of prominent institutions imparting high-quality education. I have had the opportunity to visit the city on three occasions and each time it was highly enjoyable. The city’s populace comprises a healthy mélange of Marathas, Gujaratis, Jews, Parsis, Arabs, and other foreigners galore. It gives you a cosmopolitan feel for sure. There are so many things to do and see, once you are there.
The splendid Aga Khan Palace should be on top of your itinerary. It is a landmark in India’s freedom struggle. For it was here that Mahatma Gandhi was kept under house arrest for a considerable length of time. Again, it was here that his wife Kasturba Gandhi had breathed her last. Set amidst a lush green, well-manicured, sprawling garden, it is an oasis of tranquillity in a bustling city. Talking of freedom struggle, some of you might like to visit the Yerawada Jail, located in the outskirts of town. As a high-security central prison, it enjoys great significance because several stalwarts of the freedom movement – Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru, Netaji Subhas Bose, Bal Gangadhar Tilak, to name a few – were interred here many times over.
Dr Dinkar Kelkar Museum is also a must-see. The exhibits on display here form a part of the personal collection of Dr Kelkar, an eminent Puneiite and an ophthalmologist by profession. After the tragic untimely demise of his son, the distraught father hit upon the idea of setting up a museum – with artefacts, art pieces, handicrafts he had acquired over the years – to perpetuate the memory of the dear departed. The collection comprises door frames, utensils, musical instruments, ethnic toys, puppets and lots more.
Dr Dinkar Kelkar Museum is also a must-see. The exhibits on display here form a part of the personal collection of Dr Kelkar, an eminent Puneiite and an ophthalmologist by profession. After the tragic untimely demise of his son, the distraught father hit upon the idea of setting up a museum – with artefacts, art pieces, handicrafts he had acquired over the years – to perpetuate the memory of the dear departed. The collection comprises door frames, utensils, musical instruments, ethnic toys, puppets and lots more.
Among the prominent educational institutes, figure Armed Forces Medical College and Fergusson College, both located in older and posh areas of town. On my first visit to Pune, I had met up with my bosom friend, who was then a third-year student at AFMC. I found the place truly awesome. Traditionally, residential localities are termed as peth in the Marathi language. There are so many peths in Pune viz Budhwar Peth, Shaniwar Peth, Sadashiv Peth and so on. The nomenclature dates back to the era of the Peshwas, who dominated the state’s political scenario nearly two centuries ago.
Koregaon Park remains till date probably the most sophisticated, cosmopolitan neighbourhood of Pune. The Osho International Meditation Resort and the Jewish Cultural Centre Chabad house are located here. Nor can one miss out on German Bakery, located nearby.
Koregaon Park remains till date probably the most sophisticated, cosmopolitan neighbourhood of Pune. The Osho International Meditation Resort and the Jewish Cultural Centre Chabad house are located here. Nor can one miss out on German Bakery, located nearby. After a deadly bomb blast ravaged it nearly a decade ago, it rose from its ashes, almost Phoenix-like, and is now doing good business. It is a haven for casual diners.
No visit to Pune would be complete without shopping and dining on MG Road, the city’s nerve centre and main commercial district. You can think of it as the counterpart of Connaught Place, in New Delhi. You will find all the globally renowned brand names here. And the vast array of cuisine one finds here is a gourmet’s delight! Local/ethnic, Arab, Lebanese, or fusion, name it and they have it. All discerning womenfolk and sari lovers must head to Laxmi Road to buy the ever-popular Pune saris – at throwaway prices!
Photo from the Internet
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