Pune Revisited - Day 1 : Saturday : Second Half

After having a nice lunch back and lazing around in Hotel. We left the place around 5 pm as the temple closes by 8 pm ( we had thought it closes by 7 pm). Just outside the hotel there are many Autos available but they charge exorbitantly. Then we decided to walk a little further and take the rikshaw that pass by. I did not have strength or the energy to travel by Bus. I would love to explore the city using local transport but I would have needed some acclimatization

Place 1: Parvati Hill

It took us 45 minutes to reach this place. We started climbing and the hill was energetic. There were joggers and health freaks who were climbing the hill again and again in quick succession. There were set of Army Trainees who were climbing down the hill backwards ( without looking) That was scary :) Hats off! Parvati water supply tanks supply water to half of Pune.

Parvati Hill has 5 temples atop it:
Devdeveshwar temple (Shiva and Parvati)
Kartikeya Temple
Vishnu Temple
Vitthal Temple
Rama Temple

Other than the temples, there is the Peshwa Museum. The samadhi of Nanasaheb Peshwa lies here where he lived his last days. The museum has lot of interesting things. Me and AM personally got to know about a lot of history in these museums. I loved the city for its museums. It shows how much history there is to showcase.

First we went to Vitthal Temple. Right at the time of Evening Aarti before closing the temple. Then moved to Peshwa Museum. It was dark by the time we came out of the museum. The museum consists of Artefacts, weapons and Coins displayed in 2 levels. 

You must take a walk around the temple for astounding view of the city minus the gutter that flows ( sorry for being so candid) They charge Rs 5/- for the same upto 30 mins.

Then you can have a walk to Kartikeya and Vishnu Temple. And a small amphitheater like venue which I didnt quite figure out what it was. Also I didnt realize where Rama temple was.

Place 2: Pune Camp

We just walked around checking out many deals on clothes and food. We had Jilebi, Kachori, Special Pune Sprouts Bhel. Do give the street food a try. :) Yummy!!! I was not particularly fond of Clothes shopping and I am biased towards deals in Mumbai than other cities atleast in India. Probably I ll give it a try in Delhi.

Must not miss Khayani Bakery for Shrewsberry Biscuit and Madeira Cake. Beware it is closed on Sunday and closes by 5 pm on Saturday. 

We had enough Junk for a proper dinner. I am sure that will your case as well. 

Pune Revisited - Day 1 : Saturday : Morning Half

Place 1: Dagduseth Halwai Ganapati

Call me religious! it is so because our parents used to take us to places of religious importance. The influence still exists.

I love the stories these places have and wanted to share from Wiki:

Dagadusheth Halwai (Dagadusheth Gadve) was Lingayat trader originally from Karnataka and settled in Pune. His original surname was "Gadve" but later more renowned as Halwai (sweetmaker) as his surname due to his profession.Later he was known as Dagadusheth Halwai. Original Halwai shop still exists near by named Kaka Halwai (as franchise run by his posterity of "Gadve Family" ) near Datta Mandir in Pune.


He was very famous and rich sweet trader. He was a very virtuous and righteous man. Shri.. Datta Mandir placed in Budhwar Peth, Pune was their residential Building. During those times in the outbreak of plague Shreemant Dagdusheth Halwai lost his son. Due to this episode he himself and his wife were very depressed and disturbed. During the same time his Guruji Shri.. Madhavnath Maharaj consoled him and advised him to make two idols of God Shri. Datta Maharaj and Shri. Ganpati and asked him to worship them and to take care of them like his own son. In future just as offspring brings radiance to his father´s name these idols would do the same for him. And as per his Guruji´s advice he made two idols of Shri.. Datta Maharaj and Shri. Ganpati, and this very idol is the first idol, now this idol is placed in Aakara Maruti Temple, Shukrawar Peth, this idol is worshiped everyday with detailed rituals and rites.


He later established the Halwai Ganapati Trust. Bal Gangadhar Tilak, during the British Raj, gave a public form to the Ganesh festival celebrations as a way of getting around an order that barred public meetings.


Why visit this place? If you really like to explore the core city, this is the place. It also has many important places near by like Shaniwar wada, etc that we covered on this day. These places are very important for the culture and history of Pune.


There will be queue but at the end of it, where you can see the idol - do sit for few minutes. I found peace. I hope you do too! Don't forget to buy modak from here. Yummy!!!

Place 2: Shaniwar wada

This is a fort where Peshwa rulers of Maratha Empire used to stay. The palace was hugely destroyed by fire, the howabouts are not clear. The outside structure and fountains are still intact and is worth a visit. This structure does give base for imagining the past glory of the olden days. I was able to see the music and sights with little effort.

We went in peak summer. Would suggest get some head cover before you venture out in the head. After an hour of roaming around, I was at the verge of sunstroke. Ensure to dehydrate yourself at regular intervals.

Place 3: Pataleshwar Cave Temple

The Pataleshwar Cave Temple (also called Panchaleshvara or Bamburde) is a rock-cut cave temple, carved out in the 8th century in the Rashtrakuta period. It was originally situated outside the town, but the city limits have expanded so that it is now located on the downtown Jangli Maharaj Road.

Well after breakfast and lazing around, this was the first place we visited in Pune but we didnt want to appear predictable for our love for caves. We walked bit in SB road till the bus stop, took any bus towards Pune Station. Get down at Jangli Maharaj Road/Corporation or Shivajinagar Post Office.

The name Jangli Maharaj sounded so exotic, we decided to go to this temple and Pataleshwar temple is right next to it. And also has a side entrance to go to Pataleshwar temple.

Walk upto shivaji statue to get bus till Dagduseth or Shaniwar wada.

Place 4: Vishrambaug Wada and Laxmi Road:

Laxmi road is for shopaholics. Well you might just find yourself few wears at throw away prices. Well it is worth atleast road view shopping even if you dont buy anything. Also you will find things to munch on as you walk along.

Vishrambaug Wada is a eye candy for all those who love old architecture made of wood. The intricate pillars would swoon you. This palace is converted into a museum that conveys the way Pune has expanded and the history Pune was subjected to. Some of the sketches/maps and details are in Marathi and personally I had problem in understanding the flow.

I was brave enough to wait for the bus but the heat of peak summer made me cranky and AM just forced me to take a rikshaw. One upside of staying in locality like SB road, ricks don't deny a ride.

Pune Revisited - Chaturshringi Temple on Friday

I know I sound lame for going back to Pune again and again but I did much closer view of the city to narrate about it. This is about a weekend exploration guide to Pune. If you are from Pune, feel free to criticize me.

Background to our planning: AM was staying in Pune and over the weekend I had been to see him. We stayed at the JW Marriott (Senapati Bapat Road or SB Road) and our planning/directions were from this as source/destination.

Friday Evening plan:

When I was coming from Pune Station to Senapati Bapat Road, I noticed a landmark - Chaturshringi Temple and had made a mental note to visit the same. I was meeting AM after couple of weeks and had loads to catch up on. So we wanted the evening to be simple and non stressful. The hillock is just a walk away and awesome place to laze, catch up of events that we missed.


The presiding deity of the temple is Goddess Chaturshringi, also known as Goddess Ambareshwari. She is also considered as the presiding deity of the city of Pune. The temple is maintained by the Chaturshringi Devasthan Trust. Every year a fair is held at the foothills on the eve of Navratri. Thousands of people gather to worship the Goddess Chaturshringi.

The legend associated with the temple is that, once there was a rich and prosperous merchant named Durlabhsheth Pitambardas Mahajan who was an ardent believer of Goddess Chaturshringi and visited all Her temples everywhere. But as he grew older, he could no longer travel and this hindered him from visiting the temples. Then one night the Goddess Chaturshringi appeared in his dream and told him, "if you can not come to me, I will come to you & stay near you." She told him to come to a mountain situated in the North-West of Pune & dig there. The place as described by the goddess was traced out and miracle happened as he found a natural statue of goddess (swayambhu devi). He constructed the temple at that place and this is the same temple which was renovated time to time, which is the present temple.

Why it is must see: The view of Pune city lights in the evening just doesn't fail to amaze even the localites. Being friday, there were extra special decorations in the temple. The temple has best of both worlds - Traditional and hard core worshipers come here to pray and also couples with or without kids come here to take a walk around the beautifully laid steps and gardens, fountains, artifical water falls and ponds. Do visit to experience the magic of a lazy evening. If you are an ardent devotee or atheist wanting to have a fresh air this is the place.