Pune Hotels

All of this necessary hyperbole is just as germane when it comes to urban India. On the one hand you have Mumbai, a showcase alpha metropolis with a global potency that mushrooms by the year. The likes of Delhi, Bangalore, Kolkata, Chennai, Hyderabad and Ahmedabad serve as complimentary sandbags to balance the urban development burden and illustrate India’s ability to compete with China.

Then you have Pune, a city that, as banal as it sounds, looks every bit the part of a poster child for past and future India. India has many cultural capitals but few match the Maharashtra city of 3.5 million people. With that many residents, Pune is far from puny but pales in comparison to big brother Mumbai to the west. In the end, however, it is Pune’s proximity to the behemoth state capital that makes Mumbai so attractive. A mere 2.5 hours from Chowpatty Beach and presto, gems like the Aga Khan Palace, Gandhi National Memorial, Raja Dinkar Kelkar Museum and Pataleshvara Cave Temple unfurl before you.

Pune's Top 10

Pune History

• Shivneri Fort – Quite famous among tourists because of its famous crossings of seven gates.
• Bhuleshwar Temple – Constructed in Pune in the 13th century as a devotion to Lord Shiva.
• Bhimashankar Temple – Built as a resting place of Lord Shiva in Hindu mythology.
• Sinhagad Fort – Overlooking the rest of the landscape at 700m elevation, it is a popular destination for trekking during the dry season.
• Raja Dinkar Kelkar Museum – Built by Dr Dinkar G. Kelkar, the museum claims to hold more than 20,000 articles.

Pune Art & Culture

• Dussehra Festival – Commemorated during October and November as a remembrance of the triumph of good over evil.
• Holi – The festival of Holi marks the beginning of spring and people play with colours and water.
• Havi Arts – One of the most famous and most visited art galleries of India.
• Ambedkar Museum – This museum is dedicated to Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar, who wrote the first constitution of independent India.
• Nehru Memorial Hall – The most famous auditorium of Pune, prominent for holding many cultural and theatrical programs throughout the year.

Pune Shopping

• Pune Central – The biggest and most famous shopping plaza in Pune.
• Laxmi Road – A traditional Indian market with everything from precious jewellery to delicate and beautiful Indian dresses.
• M.G. Road (Camp) – Quite an amazing place to window shop. Pre-Diwali sales are famous throughout Pune.
• KK Bazaar – Quite a wonderful place if you are shopping for apparel and accessories.
• Chor Bazaar – A haven for cheap stuff and also a place to have fun and a different experience of shopping.

Pune Gay & Lesbian

• Indian society is not entirely receptive to homosexuality as of yet, and the gay and lesbian scene in Pune is underdeveloped. It is advisable for gays and lesbians to exercise discretion and refrain from displaying public acts of affection.
• Celebrity Country Club – Offers a swimming pool, sauna, spa and health club and attracts a gay and bi crowd.
• Citrus Hotel – Have a meal at the rooftop Indian restaurant at this swanky and modern hotel.
• Area 51 – This revolving lounge features striking architecture, a lavish interior and a dance floor.
• 10 Downing Street – This popular disco and dance club is located on the second floor of Gera Plaza.
• Cyclone Nightclub – Dance, have drinks with your friends and enjoy the nightlife of Pune here.

Pune, India

Pune (pronounced “poonay”) is the second-largest city in the Indian state of Maharashtra and a major educational and industrial hub. Known for its diverse cultural activities, Pune offers visitors everything from colourful festivals, ancient forts, palaces and temples to mega-malls, multi-cuisine food courts and more.

Pune Attractions

• Osho Meditation Resort and Ashram (17, Koregaon Park)
• Aga Khan Palace/Mahatma Gandhi National Memorial near River Mula
• Tribal Museum, east of the Pune Railway Station

Pune Activities

• Go pedal-boating around Bund Gardens
• See 200 species of serpents at the Pune Snake Park
• Spot feathered beauties in the densely wooded Malshej Ghat

Pune Climate

Pune has a tropical climate with average temperatures between 20°C and 28°C. The best time for a visit is between November and February, when the weather is pleasant and cool. The city receives over 28.4 inches of rain annually, while summer temperatures (March to May) range between 30°C and 38°C.

Getting There & Around

Pune can be easily accessed from all parts of the country by air, rail and road. The International Airport is a mere 10 km ride from central Pune and offers multiple domestic flight connections to all major cities across India. Numerous trains connect the city to other regions, as do several state and private luxury buses.

Once in Pune, visitors have the luxury of many intra-city public transportation options. These include buses, taxis and the perennial favourite, auto rickshaws. Cars and taxis can also be hired.

Pune Events

A massive festival in honour of Ganesh takes place in Pune every August or September.

Sawai Gandharva Music Festival pays tribute to classical music in all its many forms over three days every December.

Pune is the centre of Marathi theatre and contains many venues dedicated to the artform.

The Pune International Cricket Centre is the headquarters of the Maharashtra state team.

The Pune Warriors play in the Indian Premier League of cricket.

Shri Shiv Chhatrapati Sports Complex was the site of the 2008 Commonwealth Youth Games.

When To Go

Pune has a tropical climate with distinct wet and dry seasons. Overall annual precipitation is rather low but most of the rainfall occurs in the months of June, July, August and September.

Though March, April and May are relatively dry, midday temperatures can soar as high as 102°F (39°C). The one bonus is Pune’s elevation, which makes for much cooler nights.

On the whole, the most comfortable months to visit are December, January and February, when temperatures range from 52°F (11°C) to 89°F (32°C).

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