Pune

Imagica Theme Park is a world-class park launched in 2013 by Adlabs to provide a premier amusement haven for the work-haggard millennial of India. The theme park spread over 130 acres, is the largest park with many rides. The Imagica theme park is segregated into 6 zones covering the geographic locations of the world namely; India, Viva Europa (Europe), Arabia (Middle East), Asiana (Futuristic World), Americana (USA), Jambo Africa (Africa). The park located on the Mumbai – Pune Expressway (NH4) is almost equidistant from Mumbai (70 km) and Pune (85 km). Adlabs Imagica, the ideal destination for the weekend, is a conglomeration of 3 large parks – The standard theme park, Water Park, and the Snow Park. The high-octane rides, gravity challenging slides, real snowfall, and icy temperatures, Dj music, family & kids’ attractions, multiple restaurants and bars with eclectic menus provide unlimited enjoyment and gratification to the visitors.The stories by Tubby- the elephant, songs by Neera – the mermaid at the lagoon, and electrifying laser show entertain kids and adults alike.Street entertainments such as magic by Floating Baba at the Arabia zone, brilliant stunts by Flippers at the Asiana section, BoomBoxers performance at Americana, and Jugglers, clowns, cartoon characters, etc amuse and amaze the visitors.The Novotel Imagica, the on-premise hotel with unmatched amenities and peerless comforts present a memorable staycation to the guests.

Dedicated to the Hindu God Ganesha, Dagdusheth Halwai Temple is one of the most famous Pune Tourist Places if you wish to add some spiritual essence to your vacation. The temple is one of the oldest Ganesh temples in India and was built by a local halwai called Shri Dagdusheth. It is considered that it was his dedication that inspired the construction of the temple and encouraged his friend Lokmanya Tilak celebrating the Ganesh festival. This festival paved to be an important event in India’s history and today celebrated with great fervour and gaiety. The beautiful temple has a humble architecture but resonates greatly with history and culture of this place. Being located in the centre of the city, Dagdusheth Halwai Temple is an important place in Pune to appreciate and take part in various events like music concerts, bhajans, and Atharvasheersh recitation which are held here.Location: Shivaji Road, Budhwar Peth, Pune, MaharashtraBest Time to visit: The most preferred time to visit this temple is from August to SeptemberEntry fee: There are no entry fees to visit Dagdusheth Halwai TempleTimings: Tourists can plan their visit here from 6.00 am to 11.00 pm

Shaniwar Wada is an excellent example of the Maratha Imperial architecture used in India in the bygone era. It tells the historical tale of the Maratha Kingdom as it has seen every event that occurred in Peshwas Life over time. It was built by the Peshwas’ symbolizing the brave hearts of the Marathas, who strived hard to keep its glory alive. Though the fort couldn’t tolerate the battering from the wrong time but the stone boundaries still recite the untold tales of the colourful journeys lead by the heroic Marathas.However, some ruins still remain reciting the remarkable stories and contorted tales. You can witness the enormous stone boundaries made to protect the beautiful Shaniwar Wada, which shows the level of security provided to the people of the kingdom. The walls have a magnificent wooden gate reflecting the Mughal architecture, which is another example of how secure the palace was made. There are long iron spikes tucked into the gate, which could reduce the attack of the enemy and kept elephants away.Besides this, you can see a garden which follows the style of the Mughal architecture. It also has a lovely fountain resembling a 16 petaled lotus, right in the middle of the garden. Adding to that, you can see the boundaries marked on the ground, which could tell about all the rooms. There is nothing more than this havoc of time, which changed the face of the mighty Shaniwar Wada into nothing. But you can still make these remains your window into the past to relive what has happened in history.History of Shaniwar Wada:The foundation stone of the Shaniwar Wada was laid in 1730 by Peshwa Bajirao I. Initially, it was intended to be a colossal palace of seven stories made out of stone. But the people of the national capital argued that only King can have a castle made of stone. So, the construction of Shaniwar Wada began using bricks. It took two years to complete this elegant structure, which displayed an excellent blend of the Maratha Imperial architecture with the Mughal architecture. The interiors had valuable furniture and decorations along with carvings of flowers and paintings of scenes from the Mahabharata and Ramayana. The first major fire in the year 1791 destroyed a significant part of the fort, which was re-constructed again. Then the next explosion in 1808 burnt all the necessary artifacts and documents in the palace. Then another fire in 1812 destroyed the upper two stories of the castle, followed by a fire in 1813 which destroyed the Royal Hall. All this destruction was taken to another level in the year 1818. The British attacked Shaniwar Wada, which resulted in collapsing all the top stories. Finally, in the year 1828, a fire caught the whole palace, which burned for a week and wrecked it. Architecture of Shaniwar Wada:Architecture of Shaniwar Wada is an excellent example of Maratha style of construction blended with authentic Mughal architecture. The main gate, also known as Delhi Darwaza, is adorned with iron spikes to restrain the enemy attack as it is enormous enough to pass an elephant through it. There is a small aisle on the top of the door which has dome-shaped windows definitely taken from the Mughal architecture. Besides this gate, the Wada has four more gates, namely Mastani Darwaza, Khidki Darwaza, Ganesh Darwaja, and Narayan Darwaza. The walls have floral carvings and paintings resembling the Mughal architecture style. Scenes from Ramayana and Mahabharata are also found painted at various significant spots. The windows and doors are also dome-shaped contributing to the traces of Mughal architecture. Archaeologists believe that initially, the fort was six-floored before it was destroyed by the fire. Finally, the garden has a 16 petaled lotus representing the grace of the bygone era.

Gear up to be fascinated by an amazing collection of Indian artefacts at Raja Dinkar Kelkar Museum in Pune. The museum boasts of having more than 20,000 artefacts which Baba Kelkar collected during his lifetime to leave behind a legacy for the future generations. One can see various paintings, handicrafts, musical instruments and a number of other objects of art collected from all over the world.A must visit for all the tourists in Pune, Raja Dinkar Kelkar Museum showcases various items that will leave you spellbound. One can see anything and everything here from door frames to musical instruments. For lovers of history, there are many artefacts which date back to the 18th and 19th century and makes for a wonderful revisit down the lanes of past.Location:  Bajirao Road, near Abhinav Kala Mandir, Pune, Maharashtra.Best time to visit: The museum is great for visiting throughout the year.Entry fee: The ticket fees to enter here are INR 15/ USD 0.23Timings: Raj Dinakar Kelkar Museum can be visited any day of the week from 9 am to 6 pm 

Built in 1982 by Sultan Muhammed Shah Aga Khan III, the Aga Khan Palace is a magnificent piece of history situated in 19 acres of land in the Yerwada area in Pune. Referred to as one of the most important landmarks of Indian history, along with the Indian freedom struggle, the palace has its roots deeply etched into bygone eras. The palace was built to help the poor in the areas surrounding Pune, which was drastically hit by famine in the early 1980s. One of the most stunning pieces of architecture in all of Pune, the Aga Khan Palace is also a famous tourist attraction, which was designed by a world-famous architect called Charles Correa.Additionally, the palace houses the samadhis (memorials) of Mahatma Gandhi’s wife, Kasturba Gandhi. Sources suggest that both Kasturba Gandhi and Mahatma Gandhi’s secretary Mahadev Desai breathed their last in the palace premises. And it is because of this that their memorials have been safeguarded in the palace grounds.The Aga Khan Palace is located in a huge ground, and has five, luxurious and spacious halls, along with several lawns. The structure resonates of Italian architecture, elegant yet intricate and magnificent.Of all the rooms and features of the palace, its arches are the most beautiful, almost mesmerising to the eyes. Aga Khan Palace has two huge floors, in addition to a corridor which spreads across the entire structure. The palace is known for organising several exhibitions and programmes throughout the year. Most of these reflect Gandhi’s lifestyle, thereby offering visitors a deep insight into the Mahatma’s life. Moreover, it is because of this and Gandhi’s links to it that the palace is now also known as the Gandhi National Memorial Society. One of the most prominent attractions of the palace is the room where Gandhi stayed during his imprisonment, along with his personal belongings and pictures of the other freedom fighters. |

Located close to Shaniwar Wada, Lal Mahal is Pune’s historical landmark. Dating its existence back to the 16th century, Lal Mahal acknowledges the valor of leaders and rulers of Shivaji’s era. It is a symbolic representation that elucidates the heroic acts that the Peshwas were known for. Not only does it account for the excellence of battles and acquisitions, but it also contributed a lot to Shivaji’s childhood. Today, the Lal Mahal stands as one of the major tourist attractions worth adding to your Pune bucket list. Lal signifies ‘Red’ whereas mahal denotes ‘palace.’ This is how the monument derived its identity. The entire palace is an architectural brilliance. The walls built from the red bricks feature the progressive stage of Shivaji’s life journey. As you step inside, there’s a place where you can see a depiction of Shivaji Maharaj plowing a piece of land. He holds a golden plow and all his efforts are being appreciated by his mother and his guru standing adjacent to him. A significant portion of this mahal was once destroyed by the cruel attacks on the city of Pune. What you see today, is a re-work named Jijamata Gardens initiated by the PMC administrators. You will see many small children and senior citizens enjoying here.Besides, the Lal Mahal also features a small replica of the Raigad Fort. Be it either Jijabai’s statue or the place where Shivaji Maharaj chopped off the fingers of Shaista Khan, the Lal Mahal is a heaven for the history buffs. A visit to the Lal Mahal will brief you about Shivaji’s planning strategic attacks, defense points, secret escape routes, and so onHistory of Lal Mahal –Shivaji’s father, Shahaji Maharaj, was the one who laid the foundation of this Lal Mahal. The main reason to construct this colossal structure was the quick revival of the miserable condition of Pune. During those days, he served in the position of Bijapur Sultanate. After conquering a few territories, he was enthroned to rule over some Pune territories. This was the time when he felt necessary to construct a palace for his accommodation. Eventually, in the year 1630 AD, Lal Mahal stood high with pride. From then, until he acquired Torna Fort in 1645, this was his residential palace. This fort has also witnessed the upbringing of Maharashtra’s brave son – Shivaji Maharaj. Yet another story is associated with this fort. It was in April of 1663 when Shivaji Maharaj, along with his battalion of 400+ soldiers, seized the palace and killed Shaista Khan's son. In the same battle, Shivaji Maharaj chopped off Shaista Khan’s fingers with his sword. The present-day structure of the Lal Mahal was built right on the part of the land where a portion of the original one was destroyed. If you closely compare both the present day and the original Lal Mahal, there’s quite a difference. This current monument is actually a re-construction work accomplished by the Pune Municipal Corporation in 1998.

Sinhagad or Kondana is a pride of the southwestern region of Pune. This fort was the one to support Maharashtra during the ancient battles. Sinhagad battle of 1671 is the significant one. Bhuleshwar range of the great Sahyadris is the home to this historical monument. The fortress has an elevation of around 1312 m above the sea level. Sinhagad has got its own breakneck slopes to protect it from all sides. There are two entrances to this fort – one in the north-eastern region (Pune Darwaza) and another one towards the southeastern part (Kalyan Darwaza). The authenticity and the richness of Sinhagad fortress date back to around 1000 years. This is evident from the carvings present on the walls of Kaundinya Eshwar temple there. Sinhagad is valued as a true sightseeing heritage.To begin your sightseeing adventure, you have Rajaram’s tomb which is worth a visit. The fortress displays some of the adorable monoliths of Tanaji Malusare – one of the efficient safe-keepers of the fort from Shivaji Maharaj’s era. Besides these crucial displays, the fortress has got its own military depot, a Kali temple, breweries, and a Hanuman effigy. Pune Darwaza, Kalyan Darwaza, Tilak Bungalow, Hawa Point, Kade Lot, Amruteshwar Temple, Tanaji Samadhi and Memorial raises the elegance of this fortress even today.Summiting the fortress offers some stunning views of the Khadakwasla Dam from one end; while from its other side, you can see glimpses of Torna Fort.

Constructed in the 8th century, the glorious Paraleshwar cave temple presents an iconic narration to the rich history of India. The temple is found in the epicenter of the city of Pune in Maharashtra. Carved out of a single rock, it is dedicated to the God of the underworld - Lord Pataleshwar. Apart from a rich historical background, the temple holds some very detailed inscriptions, museums and architectural enigmas that make it an instant attraction among tourists from across the globe. Additionally, the temple is nestled with various tropics and a river around it which makes Pataleshwar a fascinating point for adventurers to scour.  From a grain of rice that contains close to 5,000 characters in it to the mammoth pillars holding the temple, tourists who visit here are awestruck by the temple’s extravagant beauty and design. Not just tourists but devotees of Lord Shiva are also seen visiting this place quite often, making it not just a place to explore but worship too. Additionally, Lord Ram, Laxman, Sita and Ganesh temples also reside inside the cave. The temple also shares a number of ancient stories and legends that are famous among local residents of the place. All in all, a clean subtle environment with much to explore, the Pataleshwar cave temple is perfect for a family outing. Travelers or devotees who love a calm and quiet destination will also find themselves at home here in the cave temple of Pataleshwar.History of Pataleshwar cave temple:The construction of the Pataleshwar cave dates back to the 8th century with a number of stones in the cave dating between 700 and 800 AD. The temple was trimmed out of a single rock and created as a building for monumental devotion towards Lord Patleshwar, also known as the God of the underworld. There are numerous legends attached to the temple, some saying that the brave Pandavas who when once needed shelter resurrected the cave temple in just a couple of hours. There are also several temples inside the cave including carvings and statues of Lord Shiva and Nandi which were also carved through a rare ancient rock during the Rashtrakuta Dynasty who ruled the majority of Indian land. However magnificent the temple is, it still remains incomplete. Upon examining the cave, historians found a defect line towards the end of the structure that indicates that the construction was stopped incomplete. Many theories surround this discovery with some saying that this could be because of political instabilities and the development of matters greater than building the cave. It is also important to point out how strikingly similar the Pataleshwar caves are to the Elephanta caves located at the harbors of Mumbai. A more recent history of the cave would be winning a name in the Guinness book of world records for having 5000 characters inside a grain of sand.The architecture of Pataleshwar cave temple:To start with, the entire cave temple of Pataleshwar is unbelievably carved out of a single rock. At the entrance, tourists can expect humongous and yet mesmerizing pillars acting as the cave's foundation. Furthermore, you'll find the statue of Lord Shiva and Nandi, etched in a rare form of rock, sitting inside the cave. As you move further, there are a number of designs and inscriptions that decorate the walls of the cave. Close to the cave, there is also a vast sitting area where tourists can enjoy some quiet and peaceful time. Incarnations and sculptures of Lord Ram, Sita, and Laxman among others can also be found inside the temple. The cave is also equipped with several Ailes and a mandap making it an explorer's delight. A shivling is also present inside the construct which is prayed upon by the devotees with milk.