Home to a large array of, interesting and fun, tourist attractions, Pune offers a wonderful holiday experience. It is an ideal destination to visit on your next vacation and spend the vacation exploring attractions like Darshan Museum, Aga Khan Palace, Pataleshwar caves, Bhuleshwar Temple, Bhimashankar Temple, etc.
Pune, a city earlier known as Punyanagari or the Queen of Deccan, is the second largest city in the state of Maharashtra. It is an important city in terms of commerce, education, and administration. It is home to the headquarters of the eponymous district and a leading Information Technology city in India. Multiple, big and small, companies are based here, which in turn attracts young professionals from all over the nation who bring their culture, eating habits, religion, etc. along with them. Thus, today, Pune is a melting pot of multiple cultures from different parts of India. At present there is not a single parameter of modernization that is not available in the city. As the city quickly gets commercialized, it is rapidly getting capped by the glamours and the ritz of modernization. It is today a popular destination to relish the attractions of modernization and spend some good time rejuvenating and enjoying the modern attractions. Pune is also popular for its long and checkered history. Founded by Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj in 937 A.D. the place has exchanged hands between multiple kingdoms and empires. Today, the place is dotted with multiple edifices of the bygone era which give the city a unique and interesting outlook and set it apart from other tourist destinations in India tourism.
If you are planning to visit the city shortly, following are some tourist spots that are simply a must-see.
Bhimashankar Temple –
Home to one of the highly revered 12 Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva, the Bhimashankar Temple is one of the most important Hindu temples in India. It is about 110 k.m. from the city and situated in the village of Bhavnagar. The place is also the source of Bhima River that later merges with Krishna River. According to legends, the temple is closely associated with Lord Shiva slaying the demon named Tripurasura. It is said that the Lord took abode in the place in the form of Bhima and the sweat that poured out of his body formed river Bhim Marathi. If you are a spiritualist, the temple is a must-visit!
Pataleshwar Cave Temple –
It is yet another temple of Lord Shiva and amongst the oldest temples built in India. It is believed that the temple was built in 8th century, carved out of a large, single piece of basalt rock, and its design resembles the design of Ellora Caves. The good thing is that the cave temple is situated in the centre of the city and easily accessible. In addition to the idol of Lord Shiva, there are idols of other Hindu Gods and Goddesses.
Pu La Deshpande Garden –
Best noted for its beauty and tranquility, the Pu La Deshpande Garden is a perfect spot to rejuvenate in the midst of nature and relish the beauty of the landscapes. It is also called Pune-Okayama Friendship as the garden takes its inspiration from the beautiful garden in Japan’s Okayama. It has a stretch of about 10 acres and is full of green lawns, small ponds, bridges, playing area for children, etc.
In a nutshell, home to a large array of interesting, unique, and vibrant tourist attractions, Pune makes an ideal destination to visit on vacations. Visit the city to explore it for real and spend a wonderful vacation. Additionally, if you like excursions, Mumbai is an ideal destination to visit. Book train tickets in advance, keep yourself updated with Pune to Mumbai train time table, and get going to Mumbai!