Pune also known as 'Punawadi' or Punya-Nagari or Poona, is the eighth largest city and eighth largest metropolis in India, and the second largest in the state of Maharashtra, after Mumbai. Once the capital of the Maratha Empire, situated 560 metres above sea level on the Deccan plateau at the confluence of the Mula and Mutha rivers Pune is the administrative capital of Pune district.
Pune is known to have existed as a town since 937 AD. Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, the founder of the Maratha Empire, lived in Pune as a young boy, and later oversaw significant growth and development of the town during his reign. In 1730, Pune became an important political centre as the seat of the Peshwa, the prime minister of the Chhatrapati of Satara. After the town was annexed to British India in 1817, it served as a cantonment town and as the "monsoon capital" of the Bombay Presidency until the independence of India.
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Pune University |
Aga Khan Palace |
Ashram |
Culture
Pune is said to be the cultural capital of the state of Maharashtra. It epitomizes the Marathi culture, which lays emphasis on education, arts and crafts, music, and theatre. Pune culture reflects a blend of traditions with modernity, as along with hosting classical shows, the city also boasts an active nightlife. Pune hosts large population of migrants from different states. In September 2009, around four lakh (400,000) Malayalees across the city celebrated Thiru Onam, the biggest and most important festival of Kerala. Similarly There are approximately three lakh Bengalis in the city who celebrate the Durga Puja festival every year.
Places of tourist interest in Pune
• Shaniwarwada
• Aga Khan Palace
• Pataleshwar Cave Temple
• Chaturshringi Temple
• Shinde Chhatri
• Saras Baug
• Rajiv Gandhi Zoological Park
• Raja Dinkar Kelkar Museum
• National War Memorial Southern Command
• Pu La Deshpande Garden
• Dashabhuja Ganapati Temple
• Vishrambaug Wada
• Peshwe Park
• Sinhagad Fort
• Empress Garden
• Budhwar Peth |
Statue of Aryabhata on the grounds of IUCAA, Pune. As there is no known information regarding his appearance, any image of Aryabhata is an artist's conception.
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