Pune (Poona), otherwise known as Punya Nagari (‘city of virtuous deeds’), is located in the Maharashtra state of west central India. A romantic and charming little Indian city with a history dating back some 600 years, it was first inhabited by artists and musicians; under British rule it was an important military centre, but is mostly known for being an automobile manufacturing base..

This ‘Oxford of India’ is home to many colleges dating back from the 1800s, including Deccan College, College of Engineering and the Ferguson College. The Department of Meteorology was moved from Simla to Pune in 1857. This hub of knowledge was described by Mahatma Gandhi as “a beehive of dedicated workers for a noble cause”.

Today Pune is an industrial metropolis as well as an educational centre, and it has received acknowledgement as having the fastest urban growth rate in the country. Pune district, of which Pune city is the capital, is home to 4.5 million people. Widely considered the cultural capital of the state of Maharashtra, it is only 150 kilometres from Mumbai.

The automobile industry has gained prominence in the past several years and Pune may well be on its way to become the ‘Detroit of India’. Bajaj Auto, Tata Motors, DaimlerChrysler (Mercedes-Benz), Kinetic Engineering and Force Motors Ltd are among the manufacturers in Pune. A vast collection of IT and software companies also call Pune their headquarters.

Although small in comparison to cities like nearby Mumbai, Pune city offers tourists full amenities as well as some select attractions, parks, gardens and cultural sites. Most visitors find a visit here to be a pleasant change from the bigger cities, and that it is not too far to travel to the countryside.

Accommodation is varied. You will find the most upscale, stunning resorts in the city centre; while moderately priced rooms are also plentiful and comfortable. For the price-conscious, there are backpacker lodges available as well. Some hotels are housed in beautiful old buildings and are very charming places to spend your time during your stay in Pune.

Pune offers good sightseeing within the city and at outlying attractions. In the city centre, old architecture is interspersed with new modern buildings. You should put sights like Shaniwar Wada and Aga Khan Palace as well as the Parvati Temple at the top of your list. Stunning gardens like Osho Teerth add greenery to the city.

Pune was once ruled by the Rashtrakutas before being taken over by the Mughals in the 17^th century. It was temporarily the home of the Maratha King Chhatrapati Shivaji from 1635. The mansion he lived in was called Lal Mahal and today it is open to public and definitely worth a visit.

Peshwe Baji Rao I, Prime Minister of Chhatrapati Shahu, moved to Pune and built a palace near the Mutha River in the early 18^th century. His palace, the Shaniwar Wada, is still visible today and serves as an architectural highlight reflecting the history of Pune’s old city. During this time period, Pune was the centre of Peshwa rule and was unofficially the capital of India.

The Battle of Kharda, between the Nizam of Hyderabad and the Maratha Confederacy (under the Peshwa), is memorialised at the historical fort at Kharda. Inside Pune city, in an area today called Khadki, there was a war between the British and the Marathas in 1817. The British were victorious and took over the town, building cantonments called Pune and Khadki.

In 1858, the Pune Municipality was established and many educational institutes moved into the area. As India struggled for independence, Pune positioned itself as the centre of religious and social reform movements. The political arena was dominated by Bal Gangadhar Tilak for six decades and Pune was the home of prominent leaders in the reforms such as: Jyotirao Phule, Gopal Krishna Gokhale, Mahadev Govind Ranade, RG Bhandarkar, and Maharshi Vitthal Ramji Shinde.

There are four major colleges in Pune: Bharti Vidyapeeth College of Engineering, Sir Parashurambhau College, Fergusson College and College of Engineering, Pune. In 1917, the Bhandarkar Oriental Research Institute was established in Pune, now famous the world over for its tuition and research of Prakit and Sanskrit languages; there are 20,000 or so ancient manuscripts housed at the institute. Also notable is the SNDT University for Women which was established in 1916.

In the latter half of the 20^th century, Pune became home to the National Defence Academy, National Chemical Laboratory and the University of Pune. Since then, the number of educational institutions has been increasing.

Like much of the rest of India, there are three seasons in Pune: summer, winter and monsoon. The summer can be hot, but not nearly as hot as some other parts of India. Typical temperatures in March through May range from 30°C to 38°C. The hottest month in Pune is April. April’s heat is offset by the cooling monsoon rains that start in May. Temperatures drop slightly in the monsoon season, but the humidity is high. The area’s high altitude ensures that nights are cool and comfortable..

June is accompanied by strong monsoon winds from the Arabian Sea, bringing in forceful rains and a refreshing coolness that is welcomed by all. The rainfall in Pune is actually quite moderate compared to the rest of India, with about 720 millimetres falling mostly between June and September. July is the wettest month, and showers are usually quite heavy but short. Sometimes it rains for days or weeks, but this keeps the temperatures pleasant at around 20°C to 28°C.

It often gets warmer in October, but nights become cooler as the winter weather moves into Pune. Winter is cool and dry and lasts from November to February it is the high season of Pune’s tourist cycle, and the weather makes it the best time to holiday here if you enjoy the outdoors. Days are cool with breezes and clear skies. At night, it gets slightly chilly with temperatures dipping to 6°C - 10°C. In the day, winter temperatures are about 29°C.