What comes in mind when we say nashik, may be sula vineyard , grapes and most importantly wheather. I live in pune city for my studies and my holiday was coming and everyone knows that we go to our homes in holidays. My home is in Nashik which is a very beautiful city in Maharashtra. Nashik is 205 kilometers from pune.
I decided that i will go to my home with my bike this holiday. So i planned everything like what i need to do with my bike and what else i need to carry like essential stuffs. 28th april 2019 was the day when i have to leave to my home.
205 kilometers is not an easy task but i knew i can do it. The only challenge was i was alone, yes it was a solo ride. Essential things i carried a tool box, lubricant oil, extra clutch wire and a first aid kit. I checked air pressure of my bike tires one day before the ride. I ensured that my bike is all ok.
The day arrived when i have to leave for my home that is Nashik. I started my journey in afternoon because my plan was to arrive at home in night so that after a long ride i can get a good sleep. I started my ride at 12 noon. It was hot very hot wheather and for me it was difficult because of riding jacket, shoes, riding gloves, knee pads.
I started at 12 noon and i took my first brake at 1:30 pm in the afternoon because i was feeling quite hungry. I had something light for food as I can’t take heavy food while driving because if did that i must felt sleepy so i took light food and a cup of tea. I did an amazing job i almost completed 80 kilometers in 2 hours. The road was good enough to maintain good speed.
Now the most beautiful part came ghat road. Ghat road is basically mountain roads i almost completed 120 kilometers and the time was 4:30. The view was scerene i sat there for almost 1 hour because it was soo beautiful then i realised that i have to cover more 80 kilometers. I continued my journey at 6 pm. I arrived at my home around 8:30.
The road of pune to nashik is very smooth and perfect. The ride was very perfect i took around 8 and half hour to reach nashik.
This ride started with a thought to spend some time in peace. I decided that i am going to do a solo ride. But then the question arose that to where i will ride and that also a solo ride. After seeing couple of videos in YouTube i decided that i will go to Panshet dam.
Panshet dam is a very beautiful place near Pune. It is situated around 60 kilometers from Pune. I made a plan that i will go to Panshet dam on 22nd September 2019 that is Sunday. As a i wanted a short solo ride i came to decision that i will from my place at 2’o clock in the afternoon
Now here comes Sunday 22nd September. I was very excited and happy because just one day before i purchased a new helmet and knee guard for myself. I took my lunch at 1’o clock in the afternoon and got ready for my ride.
I pad up, i put my knee guards, new helmet and gloves. Now i am ready to go, as per plan i left from my place at 2’o clock in the afternoon. After riding for around 20 kilometers i thought the road is very good and smooth but i was wrong. After 20 kilometers the roads were hilarious soo much potholes, slush and stone came in my way.
After riding for total 35 kilometers. Suddenly i saw a very beautiful scene in front of my eyes and i stopped my bike there.
This was the scene which made me stop there. I removed my helmet and felt the cool breeze present in the atmosphere. It was speechless i just enjoyed nature and after sometime i started my journey again.
I didn’t knew that this route is so beautiful. After riding for more 10 kilometers. Then again i stopped and this time it was more beautiful. I will not say more instead of that you can see the below picture which i took there.
That time i felt that nature has given us so many things which is unbelievable. Then i started my journey again after riding for total 50 kilometers i reached to a very top hilly area. Suddenly roads became very bad and it was obvious because i was in mountain. I was riding my bike in very bad road and i knew that it is gonna be very tough for me because more 10 kilometers are still remaining.
The roads was so narrow and cars was continuously coming from other side. I just completed 5 kilometers in that bad road but then i stopped because this happened….
I realized that i came so high. I sat there and this is what i want for me. Peace, cool breeze, nature all an all it was a perfect place to spend time with yourself. After sitting there for half an hour i felt drizzling and that moment i decided that i will go back to home now because if its rain i will stuck in this hilly area. At least i have come out of this hilly region.
Then i started going back to my home. I came out of hilly area and i found one place where i can eat something because i was hungry as well. I ate Maggi there and started my journey again back to home. I noticed that google map is showing me a new way. I ignored and followed google map but then i realize that i was going through very wrong and horrible way. It was forest and a very empty road there were no one.
I took u turn and then i again went back to that shop where i ate Maggi. This extra trip was of 20 kilometers. Thank god i took u turn and came back from that road. Then i took that same route from which i came. Finally i came back to my home at 8’o clock in the night.
It was a whole different kind of experience to ride to Panshet dam. I enjoyed it fully.
Always wear helmet and protect yourself because you only have one life to live.
So this trip started with a plan to celebrate the second anniversary of our avenger motorcycle club. I am a member of bike riding club named as Avenger motorcycle club so this club is on its way to complete its 2nd year on 17 February 2019.
So we decided to go for a ride. And we decided Sandhan valley a place which has no network of mobile phones and only beautiful nature.
This is sandhan valley. This place is situated around 250 kilometers from pune. Our total ride was of 500 kilometres which is a long ride to travel from bike. So we decided to stay one night in tents over there.
So we started our ride on 16 February 2019 at 6am. We all riders met at one meeting point and then we left for our destination. We were fully covered as it was cold weather but I can’t define the cold breeze we felt during morning time. Our hands were freezed and we all were shivering while riding.
After riding for 2 hours we took a break for breakfast and that break was much needed. Sun was giving us an ultimate satisfaction of being warm. We drink tea and ate our breakfast and then we left at 10am towards our destination.
There were more 150 kilometers to reach our destination. After riding for one more hour we almost completed 150 kilometers of our journey then mountains came and the view was totally mesmerizing. Although we are tired but the wheather is now with us.
After riding for continuously 3 hours finally we reached to our destination and then we had our lunch which was home made and the taste of burned wood can be feel in that food it was soo tasty, so pure.
Now its 4pm in the evening and i was fully exhausted because i didn’t slept last night due to excitement. So when we got our tents i slept so deeply that I didn’t remember that when i slept. When i woke up it was 7pm in the evening and everyone was doing preparation of camp fire.
Now it is 8:30pm and a cold breeze started. We light up our camp fire 🔥 and that feeling of warmness in cold breeze was speechless. We enjoyed a lot we danced we sung and we played games. After talking our dinner we went to our tents and slept because we have to leave to our home next morning 7am.
So this is now the beautiful morning in sandhan valley. I can’t express in words so you guys can see below image.
The scene was too beautiful. We had our breakfast and we left for 250 kilometers again. Finally after riding for so many hours we reached hour home at 2pm in the afternoon. We were exhausted but were happy also.
We enjoyed our long ride so far. And i hope you guys also enjoyed reading this blog.
So now that we have to go for for a bike ride it was very confusing where to go because there are lots of places near Pune but we wanted short and beautiful ride because it was raining and its a monsoon.
we discussed and after 2 hrs of discussion we decided to go Varandha Ghat. Varandha Ghat is a beautiful place near Pune. It is located around 100 kilometre from Pune. As its name suggest it is a mountain place with beautiful scenery and so much greenery. we decided to start our journey on 21st July 2019 5am in the morning. As we all riders live in different part of Pune city so we met at one meeting point. We gathered at that point on 6 am and started our journey from that meeting point.
We started our ride at 6 am and then an incident happened with me. My clutch wire broke in mid way and was 7:15 am in the morning. So no garage was opened that time. I parked my bike there only and sat with one of the rider.
After riding for more half an hour we stoped at one place and then we had our breakfast with tea. that place was around 30 kilometre before Varandha Ghat. so eat missal paav and the weather and the scenery of mountain and lake.
After having our breakfast we again starts our ride and after almost half an hour boom.
Yeah this happened this is Varandha Ghat. We were mesmerised with the view we just saw. we enjoyed that view did lots of fun and after 1 and half hour we started our ride again towards our home.
So this is us. we fully enjoyed our ride and while returning i fixed the problem of my broken clutch wire. After riding for around 2 hour we finally Pune. We all dispersed to our homes and came back by around 1pm.
Although we were super drained out and tired and there was one satisfactory smile and that smile was because of that natural view. You know we all live in our busy life in smart cities and one thing we forget that this nature create us , this nature creates everything and whatever this nature did is something differently beautiful.
When it comes to places to visit in Pune, there is a long list that follows and varies as per the choice of the person looking and the one who is recommending. But there is one thing we can agree on, and that is how Pune is the perfect place to spend your time and enjoy it all. The Marathi culture and the modernisation go in hand in hand in this unbelievably beautiful city. Surrounded by many mesmerising attractions, the city of Pune is no less attracted to many coming from outside, sometimes from even as close Mumbai to enjoy their weekends.
Top Tourist Places in Pune:
– Shaniwar Wada Palace – Parvati Hill – Pashan Lake – Aga Khan Palace – Vetal Tekdi – Shinde Chhatri – Pataleshwar Cave Temple
Must Visit Places in Pune
Shaniwar Wada Palace
A prominent historical landmark in Pune is Shaniwarwada. It is a majestic fortification as well built in 1732 and during that time it was the seat of the Peshwas of the Maratha Empire and they ruled over there until 1818. After they lost control to the British East India Company, they could not use it longer. But when they were in the reign, Shaniwarwada was the centre of Indian politics in the 18th century.
The doorways were made of teak arches with ornamental teardrop teak pillars shaped like Suru trunks. Ceilings were beautified by numerous chandeliers and the floors were filled with polished marble adorned with rich Persian rugs. The walls displayed paintings depicting the Hindu epics. The top floor of the building enacted as the residence of the Peshwa and it was called Meghadambari.
Entry timings: It is open on all days of the week from 08:00 am to 06:30 pm and there is a Light and Sound Show every day and the tickets for the show can be booked every day from 06:30 pm to 08:30 pm.
Entry fee: For Indian citizens, the entry fee is INR 5 and for foreign nationals, it is INR 125. For the Light and Sound Show, the ticket fee is INR 25 per person.
A major picnic spot near Pune is Parvati Hill, a huge hillock that rises to 2100 feet above sea level. It holds Pune’s MSL that is located at a height of about 560 meters from sea level. Parvati temple located on the top is one of the primary reasons why the hill is quite famous among the tourists and the locals.
The hillock offers the best view of the serenity lying down in the town and this is the most scenic location in Pune. Parvati temple possesses a special feature of being the oldest heritage structure in the city and it was built during the period of the Peshwa dynasty. It is an observation point that incredibly unveils the panoramic view of the lush greenery and flamboyant sky above the location.
Entry timings: The hill is open on all days from 08:00 am to 05:00 pm but the temples will be open from 05:00 am to 08:00 pm.
Entry fee: There is no entry fee is needed to climb up the hill.
Location: Parvati Hill, Parvati Paytha, Pune, Maharashtra 411009.
3, Pashan Lake
A captivating yet artificial lake near the suburbs of Pashan Hills is Pashan Lake located at a distance of 12 kilometres from the city centre of Pune. It was built during the British era in order to fulfil the water requirement of the natives in the region and neighbourhood. Ram Nadi, a small rivulet is the inlet of the huge lake and it is controlled by the barrage at the north side of the lake.
It is also a catchment area that spreads across an area of 40 square kilometres and it gives water to the old Pashan Village, the Governer’s Residence etc. But unfortunately the urbanisation caused the lake to welcome deterioration and the quality of the water dropped down to a large extent.
Currently, it is unlikely a polluted river restraining people from drinking it. But still the picturesque value the location possesses attracts thousands of tourists to spend ample time gazing at the brilliant spot and there are a lot of migratory birds visit the lake during winter. There is a Nature Trail on one side of the lake constructed by Pune Municipal Corporation which is 300 meter long and thus people can walk through and watch the man-made lake.
PMC has also built a bamboo plantation as well as a wall to protect the lake from outside attacks. Due to the recent deforestation on the nearby hills forced the lakeside to accommodate many silt formations and thus the depth of the lake was decreased. After the deterioration of the water, Pune Municipal Corporation stopped providing drinking water from the lake in 1998. But now, it is being studied and analysed for providing portable water once again.
Entry timings: You can visit the lake any time round the year.
Entry fee: There is no entry fee is applicable to spend time at the lake.
Location: Pashan | 12 Km from Pune, Pune 411021, India.
4. Aga Khan Palace
Yet another famous landmark in Pune is the Aga Khan Palace which was built by Sultan Muhammed Shah Aga Khan III in 1892. In the history of India, this palace placed itself on a prominent space as one of the biggest landmarks in India. As an act of charity, the palace existed and the Sultan who built it wanted to help the poor in the region.
The mighty monument is considered to be a sparkling jewel in Indian history which had a close connection with the Indian freedom movement since it served as a prison for Mahatma Gandhi and his wife, his secretary, and Sarojini Naidu. Kasturba Gandhi and Mahadev Desai, the secretary died in this palace.
Archaeological Survey of India declared the palace as a monument of national importance in the year 2003. Aga Khan, the brilliant mind behind the birth of this majestic monument donated the palace to the Indian people as a mark of respect to Gandhi and his philosophy in 1969 and currently, the palace holds itself the vast collection of memories and it is a memorial on Gandhi where his ashes were kept. In the later years, the prominence of the palace started diminishing and the authorities neglected the importance of the monument and thus it was becoming unattended as well.
The palace is exactly situated about 2 kilometers away from Bund Garden in Yerwada on Pune Nagar Road. The palace presents Utalian arches and a huge lawn at the front and it houses five falls. The total area in which the palace is situated in 19 acres including the lawn and other spaces.
It is an important archive as well that showcases the number of photos and portraits of the life of Mahatma Gandhi and other important figures of the Indian freedom struggle. It acts as the headquarters of the Gandhi National Memorial Society.
Entry timings: You can visit the palace on all days from 09:00 am to 05:30 pm.
Entry fee: For Indian nationals, the entry fee is INR 5, whereas for foreign nationals it is INR 100.
Location: Pune Nagar Road, Kalyani Nagar, Pune, Maharashtra 411014.
5. Vetal Tekdi
A prominent hill in the city limits of Pune is Vetal Hill which is the highest point at an elevation of 2600 feet. Vetala temple is also located on the top of the hill and that is how the hill got its name as Vetal Hill. Adventure seekers come here in plenty to escape from the hustles and bustles of the city and it is a great morning trek location.
Near the temple, there is an observation desk set up by the Indian Forest Department. Vetal Tekdi is the Marathi name and from the hilltop, one can watch the Pune city as a whole on a clear day. The hill is a part of Bhamburda Van Vihar on the western side of Pune Municipal Corporation.
Vetal Tekdi has two spurs named Fergusson College Hill and Chatturshrungi Hill. There is one access road that takes people up the hill from the south. Also, a public parking lot is located along the road but the access to it is restricted to between 08:30 am and 05:30 pm. The area has been undergoing some anthropogenic activities for last some years- plantation of many exotic species, urban development, deforestation etc are a few of the activities that make the hill important.
Currently, Vetal Hill is an area protected by the India Forestry Department and the State Forest Department and Pune Municipal Corporation have done a lot of afforestation programmes on a large scale and thus now the hill accommodates different species of flora and fauna. If you plan to trek to the hill, then try to carry drinking water and snacks. There are three ways or direction to reach the hill; from Kothrud, Pashan, Chaturshringi.
Entry timings: There is no particular timing to visit the hill but it is advised to trek up the hill before dawn to enjoy the beautiful sunrise and the unbeatable serenity.
Entry fee: No entry fee is applicable to trek the hill up.
Location: Pashan, Pune 411038, Maharashtra.
6. Shinde Chhatri
Shinde Chhatri is a memorial dedicated to the 18th-century military leader Mahadji Shinde and it is the main attraction and a well-known place in Pune. Mahadji Shinde served as the commander in chief of the Maratha army under the rule of Peshwas from 1760 to 1780.
The majestic representative of the Maratha rule houses a hall that marks the spot of Mahadji Shinde’s cremation on 12th February 1794. During 1794, the memorial had only one temple dedicated to Lord Shiva built by Mahadji Shinde himself and in 1965 only, a Samadhi was constructed outside the sanctum of the Shiva temple.Madhavrao Scindia was responsible for the construction of the complex along with the memorial.
The architecture of the building is the main attraction as it resembles the architectural styles used in Rajasthan along with a touch of the Anglo style. It shows a picturesque blending of two different cultures.The beauty of the building is heightened due to the presence of fine, alluring carvings. The carvings and the idols of the saints of the Shiva temple are made of yellow stone and the floor of the sanctum sanctorum is constructed using black stone.
The hall inside the structure is decorated beautifully with paintings and photographs of members of Shinde family. But it began to accommodate bad conditions as years passed but currently, its glory being recovered by painting the walls and restoring the old beauty to it. The historical identity and the architectural brilliance played on the walls of the building make it a famous tourist destination in Pune. Entry timings: The building remains open on all days of the week from 06:00 am to 09:00 pm. Entry fee: There is no entry fee to visit the landmark. Location: Wanowrie, Pune 411001, India.
7. Pataleshwar Cave Temple
An atypical rock cut cave temple in Pune is the Pataleshwar Cave Temple which is an ancient temple that dates back to the 8th century during the Rashtrakuta period. The temple is also known as Panchaleshvara or Bamburde temple. Originally, the temple’s location was outside the town and when the city limits were expanded, the temple is situated now on the downtown Jangli Maharaj Road. It has been declared as a protected monument by the government.
The temple is dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva and it is made of basalt rock which has a cube-shaped sanctum 3-4 meters on each side. It holds a linga which represents the god and there are two smaller cells on each side.
A circular Nandimandapa is placed in front of the cave but its umbrella shaped canopy held by massive square pillars is the main component that makes the temple’s beauty heightened. The Nandimandapa is yet another feature of the temple. The cave is situated at a lower level than the present level of the road.
The main structure of the cave is rectangular in shape with a pillared porch. Along with the main sanctum, there are other three sanctums as well. To circumambulate, there is a path provided inside the temple and the unfinished part of the cave temple can be seen while you rotate it.
However, the inside walls of the temple possess grandly some inscriptions and drawings depicting the stories from Indian mythology, especially revolving around Lord Shiva. The cave complex is turned out to be a garden and also, you can see some architectural members which were parts of other old temples nearby. The incomplete Temple is the main tourist attraction as well but the locals come here to celebrate the Shiva Linga Pooja that would be done with ghee and yoghurt.
Entry timings: 08:00 am to 05:30 pm.
Entry fee: There is no fee is applicable to enter the temple.
n the recent years, Mulshi Lake and Dam have been reformed to be one of the major tourist destinations in Pune and those who love to capture the pleasant pictures of nature at its best flood toward this lake and dam built on the famous Mula River. It is located in the Mulshi Taluka administrative division of the Pune district.
The water from the dam is taken to use for irrigation and producing electricity at the Bhira hydroelectric power plant. The power plant is operated by Tata Power. The station is operating six 25 MW Perton turbines and one 150 MW Pumped Storage Unit. An inimitable weekend gateway from Pune to the precious nature filled by the Sahyadri ranges, Koraigadh and Dhangad Fort and other major attractions is the dam and lake.
The lake and dam can be witnessed from a nearby village that is Valanewadi, located about 6 kilometres away from Mulshi. It is also a perfect spot for birding, nature walk, photography and because of the pristine nature’s influence on the location so well. During monsoon, the lake and dam will be overflowing and the gushing water produces some soothing voices enough to let any perplexed mind to be relaxed. Hence people come to enjoy the beauty of the lake and dam during the heavy rainy season.
Entry timings: It is open from 09:00 am to 06:00 pm.
Entry fee: No entry fee is applicable to visit the dam and lake.
Location: Mulshi Taluk, Pune, Maharashtra 412108, India.
9. Raja Dinkar Kelkar Museum
An intriguing museum with a lot of references to the medieval history of India is located in Pune and that is the most famous attraction of the city, Raja Dinkar Kelkar Museum. It possesses the rare collection of Dr. Dinkar G Kelkar dedicated to the memory of his sone, Raja. There are three floors for this museum displaying different types of sculptures dating back to the 14th century along with ivory, silver and gold items and musical instruments, war weapons, vessels etc. The collection began in 1920 and by 1960, the museum was filled with 15000 objects and later in 1962, Dr. Kelkar donated all the collections to the Government of Maharashtra. Currently, if you visit the museum, you will come across more than 20000 objects out of which 2500 only are on display.
The museum showcases the different artistic materials found from different parts of India from the 18th and 19th centuries. The collection includes door frames, vessels, paintings, handicrafts, carvings etc. Museum 2000 is a project that has been started to make Dr. Kelkar’s dream of an education and cultural museum come true and to be opened to the public in order to provide them proper knowledge on the artistic values of India. Museum Shop is an additional venture at the museum that will give attractive souvenir items at a reasonable rate and it is located at the exit point.
Entry timings: You can visit the museum round the year and it will be open from 10:00 am to 05:30 pm.
Entry fee:
-Rs. 10.00 for children below 12 years -Rs. 50.00 for adult above 12 years -Rs. 200.00 for foreigners (adult) -Rs. 50.00 for foreigners (children) -Entry is free for blind and differently abled/ physically challenged visitors.
10. Dagdusheth Halwai Temple
A famous Ganesha temple in Pune is Shreemath Dagdusheth Halwai Temple which is a major attraction in Maharashtra. The temple is visited by thousands of pilgrims every year. The annual ten-day celebrations named Ganeshotsav is the main festival conducted at the temple when celebrities and ministers arrive to pay tribute to the Lord. The main idol is insured for a sum of Rs.10 million. Dagadusheth Halwai was the founder of the temple who was a trader, businessman and a sweet maker. He was from Karnataka and settled in Pune long ago. But his son died due to an epidemic and afterwards he and his wife fell into steep depression and to heal themselves, they were advised to build a Ganesh temple by their Guru Shri Madhavnath Maharaj.
The construction of the temple was finished in1893. The great leader Lokmanya Tilak was a contemporary of Dagdusheth and a close friend of him. He had the idea of celebrating Ganesh festival at the temple and then onwards, it became an epoch-making event. The beautiful temple has Jay and Vijay, the two sentinels made of marble attracts the millions of hearts coming to visit the temple. The temple was constructed very simply so that the idol of Ganesha can be seen from outside. The idol is huge with 7.5 feet height and 4 feet width. It was made more beautiful by adding nearly 8 kilogrammes of gold. Devotees of the temple offered money and gold regularly and heaps of coconuts are also a special offer done by the people.
Entry timings: The temple is open on all days from 06:00 am to 11:00 pm.
Entry fee: There is no entry fee to be paid to enter the temple. Special poojas and offerings may cost differently.
Anshul's Blog 