Pune, earlier known as Poona, is the eighth largest city in India and the second largest in the state of Maharashtra, after Mumbai. 560 metres above sea level on the Deccan plateau at the confluence of the Mula and Mutha rivers, Pune is the administrative capital of Pune district and the 8th Metro city of India. After Poona was annexed to British India in 1817, it served as a cantonment town and as the "monsoon capital" of the Bombay Presidency until the independence of India. Poona had two Cantonments, Poona itself and Kirkee to the west. Kirkee, now Khadki, is the oldest and second largest Cantonment in India. It holds the world record for greatest stretch of paved footpath and the largest British cemetery.
Today, Pune is known for its educational facilities, with more than a hundred educational institutes and nine universities. Pune has many well-established industries since the 1950s. Pune also has a growing industrial appendix, with many information technology and automotive companies setting up factories in Pune district. Additionally, Pune is known for various cultural activities like Classical Music, Spirituality, Literature, Foreign language learning, etc. These activities and job opportunities attract migrants and students from all over India, and also attract students from the Middle-East, Iran, Eastern Europe, South-East Asia which makes for a potpourri of communities and cultures.
By Air:
Pune has only a military airport to share with civil flights. It is connected to all of India. International flights are limited to Singapore, Frankfurt and Dubai. Traffic density is very high and civil flights rarely operate at night. Cameras may be confiscated, so please exercise care.
By Rail:
Pune is very well connected to all of India by rail. There is a train every half hour to
Mumbai. The railway station was once a grand monument and the station won the award for best railway station year after year, as long as the Military Cantt. Board looked after it. Within one year of civil administration took over, typical Indian mentality saw the spotlessly clean railway station change into any Indian railway station. The Pune Suburban Railway connects Pune to Lonavala, 64 km away, which is where the descent to Mumbai starts.
By Road:
Pune is served by three national highways (NH) and an expressway. It takes about three hours to get from Pune to Mumbai airport via the Pune-Mumbai Expressway and five by the older route. Shared Cabs operate on the popular Pune City Station to Dadar, Mumbai route.
Getting Around
Pune Darshan buses are run by the municipality and provide a guided tour of the city. Only two Pune Darshan services are air-conditioned. The tour lasts 8 hours.
Where to Stay
Pune’s five star list is exclusive and expensive: Taj Blue Diamond, Le Meridien, Sun n Sand, Hotel Brookside, Hotel St Lauren. Hotel Deccan is a good option. Trimurti Lodge, Fergusson College Rd; Shreyas Hotel, Apte Road; Suyash Lodge, Tilak Road, very cheap, but almost basic facilities; Yatri Lodge, Karve Road and Sumangal Youth Hostel are budget class.
What to See: Raja Dinkar Kelkar Museum; Tribal Museum; Mahatma Phule Museum; National War Museum; Shaniwar Wada; Aga Khan Palace; Parvati Hill temples; Pune University; Fergusson College; Chatushrungi Mata Temple; Bund Garden; Sinhagad; Khadakwasala and Lake Fife with the dam; Appu Ghar; Mulshi lake and dam; National Defence Academy; Pashan Lake; Holkar Bridge and the 1921 war cemetery.
Where to Eat
Barbeque Nation; Chingari; Flags; Kabab Factory; La Brasserie; La Dolce Vita; La Pizzeria; Le Meridien; Mainland China; Malaka Spice; Mystic Masala and Dorabjee's.
