Top 5 Places to Visit in Pune-India

1. Shaniwar Wada

Shaniwar Wada is considered one of the best tourist places to visit in Pune. It is a prominent historical landmark in Pune. It is located in Shaniwar Peth, Pune. Shaniwar Wada was built in 1732 by Peshwa Baji Rao I , a general under Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj.

It was the seat of Peshwas of the Maratha Empire until 1818. In 1818, Peshwas lost to the British and they had to surrender the Wada to British East India Company.

It was a seven-storied capital building of the Peshwas and could accomodate around 1000 people. But when the British attacked, only the base floor survived while all the other floors were destroyed.

Although the Shaniwar wada has been ruined, there are many attractions within the complex.

1. Dilli Darwaza (Dilli Gate) - The main gate of the palace.
2. Mastani or Alibahadur Darwaza (Mastani Gate) - The gate used by Mastani, the second wife of Peshwa Baji Rao I.
3. Khidki Darwaza (Window Gate) - Named after the armoured window present there.
4. Ganesh Darwaza (Ganesh Gate) - Named after Ganesh Rang Mahal which existed there.
5. Jambhul or Narayan Darwaza (Narayan Gate) - The gate used by concubines.
6. Nine bastion towers
7. Garden
8. Hazari Karanje - Lotus shaped fountain with sixteen petals
9. Cannons
10. The majestic statue of Peshwa Baji Rao I.

Timing: 8:00 am to 6:30 pm, all days

Entry fee: Indian citizen - INR 5; Foreign national - INR 125

2. Lal Mahal

Lal Mahal or Red Palace is famous tourist place in Pune. It is located at Ganesh road, Durvankur Society, Kasba Peth, Pune. It was established in 1630 AD by Shahaji Bhosale (Shivaji Maharaj's father).

Shivaji's marriage with Saibai took place in Lal Mahal. Shivaji Maharaj lived here until he captured his first fort, Torna  at the age of 16 in 1645.

The present Lal Mahal is a reconstructed version of the original Lal Mahal. This present Lal Mahal was built by the PMC in 1988. Not much information is available about the original construction, area and structure of the original Lal Mahal.

Attractions in the Lal Mahal include:

1. Oil paintings - Based on the life events of Shivaji Maharaj.
2. A statue of Jijabai ( Shivaji Maharaj's mother)
3. A carving - depicting Shivaji using a gold plow along with Jijabai
4. A fiber model of Raigad 
5. A map of Maharashtra
6. Jijamata garden

Timing: 9:00 am to 1:00 pm and 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm, all days

Entry fee: INR 3 per person

3. Aga Khan Palace

Aga Khan palace is yet another amazing landmark and a famous place to visit in pune. It is located at Pune Nagar road, Kalyani Nagar, Pune. Palace was built by Sultan Muhammed Shah Aga Khan III in the year 1892.

The palace is situated in total area of 19 acres including lawn and other spaces. The Aga Khan palace was declared as 'Monument of National Importance' in the year 2003 by Archaeological Survey of India.

Timing: 9:00 am to 5:30 pm, all days

Entry fee: Indian citizen - INR 5; Foreign national - INR 100

4. Empress Garden

Empress Garden is a famous garden and one of the best places to see in Pune. It is located near Race Course, Kavade Mala, Ghorpadi, Pune. The garden consists of many varieties of trees, plants, flowers and a stream of water which is flowing throughout the garden.

Since 1880, the Empress Garden is maintained by Agri-Horticultural Society of Western India. The aim is to protect and nurture the rare flora of the region. It is named after Queen Victoria.

Timing: 9:30 am to 6:30 pm, all days

Entry fee: INR 10 per person

5. Joshi's Museum of Miniature Railways

Joshi's Museum of Miniature Railways houses a large collection of working models of various types of trains. It is located at Late GA Kulkarni Path, next to Kothrud, Pune. The museum was started by Bhausaheb Joshi and was opened on April 1, 1998.

Various miniatures of steam trains, diesel engine trains, high speed intercity express, underground trains etc are present in the museum. Dr. Ravi Joshi, Bhausaheb's son is the present proprietor of the museum. The Joshi's Museum of Miniature Railways is recorded in 'Limca Book of Records 2004'. 

Timings: 9:00 am to 1:00 pm, all days

Entry fees: INR 90 per person