Places to Visit in Pune

Best Places To Visit In Pune Shaniwar Wada

Shaniwar Wada is one of the key attractions in the city of Pune. Start with this place and get on with your Pune sightseeing. The place is a fortification that belongs to the 18th century. The fort came into being in the year 1732 and served as the seat of the Peshwas, the prime ministers, of the Maratha Empire. This rule and influence continued for over a while, precisely up till the year 1818 when the British East India Company took over the fortification after winning the third Anglo-Maratha War. This palace has been destroyed, revamped, and curated many times surviving the tides of time. In the present day, it is one of the top places to visit in Pune.

Aga Khan Palace

Out of the many Pune attractions, the Aga Khan Palace is quite prominent. The palace was built in the year 1892 and served over the decades as the hub of Indian politics and major historical events. Many great leaders and personalities of the Indian Freedom Movement have been here, lived here, been in imprisonment during the British Raj and have also taken their last breath. Prominent names like Mahatama Gandhi, his wife Kasturba Gandhi, Sarojini Naidu, and others have been here in imprisonment. This place has served not just the great leaders, but many in their times of Peril.

Sinhagad Fort

This place is essentially a hill fortress that is said to have been constructed 2000 years ago. There are many carvings and inscriptions here that testify the fact that the fort is ages old. Situated just about 35 kilometers from the city, it is a great place to include in your trip itinerary. There is a temple inside the fort called the Kaundinyeshwar Temple. The place has seen many historical events over the course of these 2000 years and many rulers have acquired it from time to time. Initially a part of the Maratha empire, it was later acquired by Muhammad Bin Tughlaq during his reign in India. The Marathas regained control later and there were then attacks by the Mughals as well. Because of these events, the fort has varied history and rich heritage making it one of the best places to visit near Pune.

Shivneri Fort

Amongst the many nearby places to visit in Pune, Shivneri Fort is quite a famous attraction. This fortification is the birthplace of the famous Maratha ruler, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. He was not just a great warrior but also the founder of the Maratha Empire. The fort is said to belong to the 1st century AD with the Buddhist influence over it. There are many pieces of evidence at the fort to prove so. Many came and ruled the fort, but history remembers it mainly to be the birthplace and childhood home of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. There is a statue of the young Shivaji inside the fort. There are many gates to the structure and a pond in the center called Badami Talav.

Raja Dinkar Kelkar Museum

Considered as one of the most amazing places to visit in Pune, the Raja Dinkar Kelkar Museum is a treat for the history buffs and art connoisseurs. There are almost 22,000 of the rarest of the Indian artifacts present here. The museum was a result of the hard work and dedication of Dr. Dinkar G. Kelkar (1896–1990). He was an optician who had a flair for poetry, especially historical poetry. The doctor collected all these artifacts all his life going to faraway villages and towns just to obtain these items. An ardent collector of these rare pieces of history, he brought together an amazing collection over the years which he dedicated to his only son, Raja. At this bungalow turned museum, one can find many rare items like a wooden veena shaped in the form of a peacock and embellished with silver, musical instruments, ornaments made from precious metals, weaponry, and a whole lot of other artifacts. Explore the many places to visit in Pune, but do not forget to visit this museum.