While we all in the eastern part of India are fascinated about Mumbai, the city of dreams, there is a more favorite travel destination in the west coast, which is the replica of paradise on Earth.
This place is called Pune and it is better known as the cultural capital of Maharashtra. It is nothing short of a travelers’ paradise – green hills, pristine lakes, yummy food, affectionate climate, and rich people.
Strangely, many people are unaware of the great variety of attractions that this city holds. But don’t worry. We will take you on a quick Pune tour, compelling you to take a flight to Mumbai and travel those 150 kilometers by road to cherish its awesomeness.
Fasten your seatbelts. Here we go!
Green Hills & Pristine Lakes
As you enter the outskirts of Pune, lush green hills, moistened by rains welcome you to the lap of the Sahyadri range. As the winds will blow past your face, little rain drops will settle on your face, making you cherish the heavenly climate at once.
You’ll find the city surrounded by hill stations. Lonavala, Khandala, Mahabaleshwar, Panchgani, Matheran, are just a few of them. Besides these, beautiful lakes like Pawna, Panshet, Khadakwasla, mulshi, and many more are also looking for your arrival.
At Pune, you will see both sides of the world, the waters, and the mountains coming together. You can extend your trip if you want to see the famous beaches – Alibag, Diveagar, and Kashid by driving extra 200 kilometers from Pune.
Personal two-wheeler is the best companion for this!
Business Fame
The beautiful green hills and the pristine lakes around the city will present a stark contrast to its modern and fast-paced city life. You will find yourself in a totally different place when in the main city, which is fast emerging as one of the top business destinations in India.
It is not just the cleanest and the greenest city in India, but also the hub for a lot of professional setups. All big automobile manufacturing plants and software companies have their base in Pune. You have a fair chance to find a job and settle there permanently.
FYI, the population of Pune consists mainly of the highly educated Indians. This has earned Pune the title of Oxford of the East. And on a funny note, Pune has the highest number of 2 wheelers in the world.
This is probably because it has a lot to offer for morning and evening strolls!
Lovely Punekars
Besides being the hub for pure Maharashtrian culture, including the typical conversations in Marathi language, Pune has awesome residents. The way they speak appeals to your ears, and the way they greet is a walk to remember. Pune people are gems.
There’s no trickery or misconduct in the city. The Puneris are ever ready for help. You’ll see how people value life more than anything in Pune. If you ever see them playing the Puneri dhol at the Ganesh Utsav, you’ll fall in love with entire Maharashtra!
Such is the level of enjoyment that dwells in Pune!
Peshwa Glory
The Pataleshwar Cave Temple, carved out of a rock, provides a glimpse into the 8th-century architectural style followed in the Pune region, taking you back to the time when it used to be the seat of the Peshwas.
You can visit the Shaniwar Wada, the fort of the Peshwas, which still stands majestically. The only care that you need to take is to not get afraid, for it is a haunted destination. To know more about the historical backgrounds, you can visit the Aga Khan Palace.
And still, if you don’t delve into the history, you can check out the food!
Paav Fever
Wada Paav is an all-time favourite of Punekars, followed by Misal Paav. You can visit J J Wada Paav, a very famous food point in the city, to enjoy the Paav fever.
You may also checkout the famous old Iranian cafes – Vohuman Café, Café Goodluck, Café Yezdan, Kohinoor Café, etc if you don’t want to miss the actual delicacies of Pune. You will also find best bakeries in Pune, with the oven’s smell melting your taste buds.
On the streets, you can even find the best quality Alphanso mangoes to eat. And if you don’t get them, you can move to Falhar, which serves awesome mango shake.
You can ask for ‘mango blast’ there and it will be all done!
Poo-nah might have become Poo-nay by now, but the monsoon capital of India has its own attitude, which you will feel once you go there. The 6 lane Expressway built between Mumbai and Pune has reduced the traveling time to just 2 hours.
You can easily choose the road to travel if you miss the Deccan queen express, the most loved train on this route. And if you are reading this from a far away place, you need to plan a long trip.
Any time sooner!