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 While it has always been a corporate
stopover, Pune is a potpourri of modernism and culture.
For those interested in history and architecture,
Pune offers a mix of the modern interlaced with the
old! Whether it is the Lal Deval standing adjacent
to a spanking new petrol pump or Vishram Baug Wada,
which now functions as a post office, the list is
endless! Shaniwar Wada, Aga Khan Palace, Parvati
temple are a few heritage structures that stand beside
the modern bustling sparkling shopping malls, and
towering eleven story buildings that now dot the
city’s skyline.
Pune was representative of the Maratha heartland and is regarded as the cultural capital of Maharashtra. But this has since
changed. The arrival of Osho Rajneesh and his flock changed
the cityscape. The Osho Ashram
put Pune on the world map and gave this deeply traditional city a new flavour.
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 Fondly called the Oxford of the East Pune has attracted an influx of young students,
not only from all over the country but also from all over the world. Home to
some of the most famous names in the field of academics, Pune has a huge
student population that have brought with them excitement,
vigour and energy, adding
to Pune’s new dynamism. The migration of Bombay folk to the city has also
given the city a more cosmopolitan nature.
If you need a guided tour of the city, it is a good idea to visit the Maharashtra
Tourism Development Corporation Office at Central Building, Sassoon Hospital
Road. An MTDC counter at the railway station is open from 10.00 to 6.00 pm Monday
through Friday and on Saturday till 1.00 pm. |
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 Traffic |
 The traffic in Pune can be pretty mind-boggling,
but it’s just
a sign of a young city growing faster than its infrastructure.
The best way to travel is either via two-wheelers or auto rickshaws.
Also fondly known as the Detroit of India, Pune probably has
the highest number of two-wheelers and women drivers in the
country. |
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| Safety |
| Pune is probably one of the safest cities
in India, even at night, especially if one sticks to driving
on the main roads. Venturing alone or into unknown areas near
the ghats or on the outskirts is not advisable. Though Pune
does not report of very serious crime rates, petty thefts do
abound. It is advisable not to offer lifts or to ask for directions
at night in isolated parts of the city. |
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| City
Zones |
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The city has grown manifold rapidly
over the last two decades. The city limits have increased
to areas like Aundh, Kalyani Nagar, Wagholi and beyond
Kondhwa, Satara Road, hitherto almost uninhabited, are
now throbbing cosmopolitan centers. This definitely puts
Pune on the list for the fastest growing cities in India.
From the cosmopolitan areas of Camp to the traditional
City area and Deccan - the educational hub, Pune in all
its localities offers everything a society needs. |
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| Pune is divided into six neighborhoods on
the basis of resources, population
distribution and connectivity. |
Deccan
Shivaji Nagar, F.C Road, J.M. Road, Senapati Bapat Road,
Bhandarkar Road, Prabhat Road, Corporation, University Road
and vicinity
Camp
M.G.Road and vicinity, Koregaon Park, Ghorpuri, Dhole-Patil Road, Bund Garden, Boat Club Road
City
Mangalwar Peth, Somwar Peth, Kasba Peth, Narayan Peth, Ganesh Peth, Bhawani
Peth, Guruwar Peth, Nana Peth, Shaniwar Peth,Raviwar Peth, Budhwar Peth, Navi
Peth, Satara Road, Sadashiv Peth, Bibwewadi, Market Yard, Shankersheth Road
Aundh
Aundh, Khadki, Pashan
Kalyani Nagar
Kalyani Nagar, Viman Nagar, Bund Garden, Yerawada and Vishrantwadi
Kothrud
Kothrud, Karve Nagar, Paud Road, Sinhagadh Road
Kondhwa
Kondhwa, Hadapsar, Fatima Nagar, Lulla Nagar, Wanowarie, Salisbury Park |
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| Climate |
Pune stands on the leeward side of the Western
Ghats on an altitude of 559m.(1863 ft.). The temperatures are
fairly extreme.
In summer, though it is hot, it is not as severe as one’s
summer experience in the northern parts of India. But, when
the sun goes down, the evenings are fairly pleasant. Pune experiences
a moderate three months of rains. The rains definitely bring
respite to the sweltering heat bringing down temperatures and
humidity levels. During the monsoon, the temperatures range
from 18-19 degrees to 30 degrees.
From November to January, Pune sees winter. Warm woolens, shawls,
sweaters and light jackets are a common sight. Though the day
is warm, early mornings, evenings and nights require a few
layers of clothes as it gets quite chilly. 2°C was the
lowest recorded temperature, but the average night temperature
throughout winter rarely goes below 6°C. Late January to
March are the most pleasant months in Pune. |
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| Festivals |
Known as the Cultural Capital of
Maharashta,
Pune has a proud cultural calendar that boasts of a number
of festivals and cultural activities. Of course, what Pune
is most famous for is the Pune Festival, which is held during
the Ganesha Mahotsav (August / September).
 With political bigwigs and celebrities patronising it, the
Pune Festival has become immensely popular over the past few
years. Initiated by Bal Gangadhar Tilak, the Ganesh Mahotsav
today is celebrated with great enthusiasm, as the city interiors
almost remain blocked for ten days. Pune has more than 2000
mandals with Dagdusheth Halwai, being the biggest and the most
famous one.
Sawai Gandharva which started way back in the 1960s, has had
every Indian and international artist perform and has given
rise to a number of budding ones too. It is held in the months
of December from dawn to dusk over three days.
 The Osho festival is another international crowd puller in
Pune. Held in the Osho Aashram in Koregaon Park, disciples
and followers of Bhagwaan Rajneesh make it a point to attend.
The Chaturshringi Fair, held annually during Navratri on Senapati
Bapat Road, is open all night, with giant-wheels and other
attractions.
A number of College festivals, have become very
commercialised, but still attract big crowds with a really
competitive spirit,
from colleges all over Pune. Verve organised by Express Youth
Forum is the biggest inter-collegiate festival in India. |
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| Entertaining |
If you are entertaining in the city, then
it is best to do so at the vast variety of restaurants. Pune’s
night-life is largely dependent on eating out and multi-cuisines
restaurants that flourish everywhere. There’s a huge
variety of cuisines and budget to suit every palate and pocket.
Barbecue parties in winter and light salad meals in summer
are ideal. Also, if you would like to surprise your guests,
a lot of caterers will help you out.
There are many clubs that have been the mainstay of Pune’s
entertainment scene for years. Membership is not hard to come
by, nor is it too expensive. |
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| Getting
around the city |
 If you are lost and looking out for directions,
you will find Puneites courteous. Address the person as a `mama’ or
`kaka’ and you are bound to get the directions even more
easily! If not, make sure to ask the signal policeman or even
the autorickshaw driver for help and he should be able to do
so. |
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