Pune

An erstwhile bastion of the all-powerful Maratha Empire of yore, Pune is at the confluence of the Mutha and Mula river, surrounded by hills and having pleasant climate.

Pune is a significant milestone in the history of India. For many years Pune was the pulse of the Maratha land and has given India some of its most memorable personalities.

Though Mumbai plays host to a larger chunk of tourist inflow, Pune is not much behind as a popular tourist destination. This cultural capital of Maharashtra is one of the fastest growing industrial area in the state and has even gained fame as an important commercial and educational centre as well. A visit to Pune is highly recommended if any plan to travel to Mumbai is on the cards. Travel to Mumbai to Pune will prove to be an insightful trip of the state.

Attractions in Pune

During the reign of the Maratha rulers, Pune was the centre of power and all the places around Pune reflect the might and glory of Marathas.

Sinhagad, a hilltop fort, is the epitome of the bravery and cleverness of Maratha warriors. Raigad Fort was the place closely associated with the life and times of Shivaji, the icon of Maratha pride.

Bhimashankar is a place known as much for its religious importance as for its natural surroundings.

Jejuri has one of the most important temples in Maharashtra situated on a hilltop.

Osho Meditation Resort is recent attraction in Pune's tourism map. Described as the "spiritual Disneyland for disaffected First World yuppies" by the Wall Street Journal, the resort is situated in the pleasant residential area of Koregaon Park. This lush contemporary 40-acre campus is a tropical oasis where nature and the 21st Century blend seamlessly, both within and without. A number of programs with special emphasis on new-age meditation are conducted here. A place worth a visit.

On the road again: Mumbai to Pune

Mumbai is approximately 170 km to Pune by road. The Mumbai-Pune section of National Highway Number 4 is the busiest in the country. If you are driving down from South Mumbai, take the Eastern Express highway from Sion in north-eastern Mumbai and turn at the traffic light that leads to the Sion-Panvel Highway (national highway No: 4).

On reaching Dehu, the junction offers two options to approach Pune. If you proceed straight on, you will encounter the industrial townships of Nigdi, Pimpri-Chinchwad and enter the city's municipal limits at Dapodi. Avoid this route if you are entering the city between 15:00 and 19:00 hours as it is prone to traffic jams. Taking a right turn at the Dehu Road junction will take you on the Pune bypass from where you can enter Pune at several points depending on where you are headed.

Where to take a break

There are several clean, multi-cuisine restaurants between Panvel and Khopoli, while resting your vehicle for the arduous climb of the Bor Ghat. If you prefer to cross the Ghat and stop later, there are restaurants and hotels from Khandala to Lonavala and beyond. These, too, serve a wide range of dishes in several styles. Some of the hotels have swimming pools and buffets.

Chugging along: Mumbai to Pune

Trains leaving for Pune from Mumbai can be boarded from the Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminal (known as CST, formerly called Victoria Terminus) and Dadar Station in Mumbai. The line starts at CST, in South Mumbai. Dadar station is nearer to the airport than CST, but some trains from Mumbai to Pune do not stop at Dadar (they only stop there going from Pune to Mumbai) and the ones that do, do so for just about a couple of minutes. It is best that you go all the way into downtown Mumbai to catch a train to Pune, especially if you are carrying luggage.

Seats on most trains are booked many days in advance. For a comfortable and carefree journey, it is better to reserve a seat. If you are a foreigner and staying in Mumbai before your journey to Pune, you can book a ticket yourself at the "Foreigner" booking window at CST. Here tickets are specially held for foreigners, but you have to book 10 hours or more before the scheduled time of departure.

Which Train to catch

The Shatabdi Express is air-conditioned throughout. The fare is around Rs 350, including breakfast, tea or coffee and mineral water.

Best time to visit

During the months from June to September Pune receives rain. Thus, period between the months of October and May are best for a visit to Pune. The summer months in Pune are hot and cottons are ideal. During winter you may carry light woollens in Pune.