Pune is a sprawling city in the western Indian state of Maharashtra. It was once the base of the Peshwas (prime ministers) of the Maratha Empire, which lasted from 1674 to 1818. It’s known for the grand Aga Khan Palace, built in 1892 and now a memorial to Mahatma Gandhi, whose ashes are preserved in the garden. The 8th-century Pataleshwar Cave Temple is dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva.
Saras Baug Park features a Ganesh temple, dedicated to the elephant-headed god. Parvati Hill, topped by another temple complex and the Peshwa Museum, affords panoramic views of Pune. Shaniwar Wada, an 18th-century fortified palace, was once the seat of Maratha Peshwas. The Raja Dinkar Kelkar Museum displays a whimsical collection of Indian lamps, puppets, hookah pipes and other arts and crafts. The Darshan Museum tells the story of modern Indian saint and scholar Sadhu Vaswani through multimedia exhibits and a light and sound show. The city also contains a commercial ashram retreat, the OSHO International Meditation Resort.
When to visit: Peak travel periods include May–Jun and Dec–Jan. Pune has a tropical semi-arid climate. Mar–May is hot and dry, before the moderate Jun–Oct monsoon rains, which cool down the city. Dec–Feb has warm days and cool evenings. Ganesh Chaturthi (Aug/Sep, dates vary), has huge processions in celebration of the elephant-headed Hindu god Ganesh. The Pune Festival (Sep) offers shows with traditional dances.
