Pune Tourism

Pune

Pune, which was earlier known as Poona is the 8th largest metropolis in India and the 2nd largest in Maharashtra after Mumbai. It was one of the centres of power of the Maratha Empire. It is 560 metres over sea level and is placed at the junction point of the Mula and Mutha rivers. Pune is famous for temples and rapidly growing industries ranging from forging to automobiles to information technology and world class educational facilities, which attracts students from not only India, but also from abroad to the place, making it a place of varied cultures and communities.

History of Pune:

Pune established itself as a town, way back, at 937 AD. Maratha Empire founder, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, has passed his youth over this place. Shivaji was crowned as Chatrapati in the year 1674, who made large contribution in the development of the place. Later on Baji Rao, who was appointed as prime minister of the Maratha Empire in the year 1720, made Pune as the base and made large development works. At the year 1837, Pune was made as the monsoon capital of the Bombay presidency, which continued till independence.

Industries at Pune:

Automotive giants like Tata Motors, Force Motors, and Mercedes Benz have their Industries at Pune. World famous automotive and allied companies like General Motors, Volkswagen, Visteon, Continental Corporation and Fiat have also followed this place. Because of the widespread development of Automobile industry at the place Pune is also known as "Motor City" of India. The India's biggest conglomerate, the Kirloskar Group, led the foundation stone by setting up the industry known as the Kirloskar Oil engineering limited at 1945. The Hinjawadi IT Park, also known as the Rajiv Gandhi Park, has led to the widespread development of information and technology over the place.

Places to visit:

1) Prominent museums like national war museum, Raja Dinkar Kelkar Museum, Mahatma Phule Museum, Babasaheb Ambedkar Museum and Pune Tribal Museum.

2) Rajiv Gandhi Zoological Park, which is situated close to the city.

3) The College of Military Engineering

4) The Sawai Gandharva Sangeet Mahotsav, one of the most significant and well - known Indian classical music festivals in the country is held every year at December. This festival used to be organised every year by Late Pt. Bhimsen Joshi

Ways to reach Pune:

By air, the Pune International Airport is an international airport situated at Lohegaon.

The local trains (EMUs) connect Pune to neighbouring hill stations. Pune has daily express trains to Howrah, Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad, Chennai, and Jamshedpur.