Nomad Saikat
At one point of history Pune was a center of Maratha powers and ruling dynasties. For obvious reasons Pune holds a lot of historical relevance and cultural richness. It is one of the travel destinations that a lot of tourists visit. Moreover for people who love delving into the history of a particular region, Pune is a great source of enjoyment for them. Furthermore, as many rulers had ruled Pune for many years they have also contributed in shaping the structure of the state. Till today these historical structures in Pune are standing tall. Furthermore these historical places in Pune are places of tourist interest too.
You can find a series of majestic forts, ancient temples and royal palaces in Pune. Each of these structures tells their story which everyone would find interesting. However, for a history buff therefore Pune can be a living museum as well. So if you are interested in knowing about the historical places in Pune city then keep on reading. In this article I will mention some of the historical places in Pune with names and details. And if you are visiting Pune anytime soon then you can have this historical places in pune list handy for your convenience. It will be helpful for you if you are planning a trip to Pune. So read the whole article and enrich yourself with all the information here.
Historical Places in Pune
Shaniwar Wada
Address: Shaniwar Peth, Pune, Maharashtra
Timings: 8 am to 6:30 pm
Entry Fee: Rs. 5 for Indians and Rs. 25 for foreigners
We cannot really discuss the historical places in Pune without discussing the Shaniwar Wada. However, it is one such structure that shows the opulence and pride of the Marathas even today. It is undoubtedly one of the most popular places in Pune that the tourists love visiting. Everything about this ancient structure reflects the stories of the days gone long back. From the challenges faced by the Peshwas to the kind of lifestyle they used to have, you can understand a lot of things here. You must check out the towering height of the structures as well as the walls and you would know how much thought the Peshwas had put in to create a structure like this. Additionally they have made sure that they are maintaining all sorts of security concerns in protecting this lavish structure.
In the construction of Shaniwar Wada you will be able to notice a very fine blend of both the Mughal and Maratha style of architecture. You can also notice a very intriguing thing here. A lot of paintings are present here that depict some snippets of Mahabharata and Ramayana. For anyone who loves reading about history and mythology then can witness it all in front of their eyes. And that is one of the most interesting things here. The remnants of this historical structure will take you back to the age of Peshwas. And if you have seen the hit Bollywood film Bajirao Mastani then you would find this even more intriguing. Yes this is the same palace that once belonged to Peshwa Bajirao I. Make sure you enjoy every bit of it.
Sinhagad Fort
Address: Sinhagad Ghat Road, Thoptewadi, Pune, Maharashtra
Timings: 5 am to 6 pm
Entry Fee: No entry fee
Literal meaning of Sinhagad Fort is the Lion Fort and according to history this structure is more than 2000 years old. Previously the Sinhagad Fort was named Kondana. Located in the Sahyadri Mountains, this fort is another example of being a historical marvel. One of the most famous historical places in Pune this fort is located at a height of 750 metres. Today only the remains of this fort are still present and that itself attracts the majority of the crowd. You will find two gates here located in north east and south east directions. There is a temple of Goddess Kali, a brewery, tombs of Rajaram Chhatrapati and Tanuji Malusare. Alongside there are some military sheds here as well. For history buffs this can be a great place for getting some historical insight.
However other than being one of the popular historical places in Pune this location is a favourite for trekking enthusiasts as well. So no matter if you are a history lover or an adventure lover, make sure you visit this beautiful fort.
Lal Palace
Address: Ganesh Road, Durvankur Society, Kasba Peth, Pune, Maharashtra
Timings: 9 am to 1 pm and 4 pm to 8 pm
Entry Fee: Rs. 5
This is one of the most significant historical places in Pune located near the Shaniwar Wada. As the name suggests the Lal Palace or Red Palace is a red coloured beautiful structure and a landmark that dates back to the 16th century. Shahaji Bhosle, the father of great Shivaji Maharaj had built this structure in the 1630s. Furthermore this palace is also significant as a place where Chhatrapati Shivaji has spent most of his childhood. Lal Mahal is not just any other historical structure, but is also a reflection of Maratha pride. A sculpture of Shivaji ploughing with a golden plough is one of the major attractions here. Along with that the statue of Jijabai and a replica of the Raigarh Fort are other important attractions here.
Aga Khan Palace
Address: Nagar Road, Samrat Ashok Road, Pune, Maharashtra
Timings: 9 am to 5:30 pm
Entry Fee: Rs. 5 for Indians and Rs. 100 for foreigners
Muhammad Shah Aga Khan III, the Mughal ruler, had built this palace and it is one of the important historical places in Pune. This is the same place where once freedom fighters like Mahatma Gandhi, his wife Kasturba Gandhi, Sarojini Naidu stayed as prisoners. At present this is a museum where you will find varieties of exhibits. Memorials of Kasturba Gandhi are present here. Alongside ashes of Mahatma Gandhi are also buried here in the ground. At present this place is the headquarter of the Gandhi National Memorial Society. In the year 2003 this monument became a monument of national importance. Many of the belongings of Gandhiji and many photographs of freedom fighters are displayed here.
Read More : BEST HISTORICAL MONUMENTS OF INDIA
Lohagad Fort
Address: Lohagad Trek Road, Pune, Maharashtra
Timings: 9 am to 6 pm
Entry Fee: No entry fee
Located 52 km away from Pune this location is one of the popular historical places in Pune. This is one of the many hill forts that you can find in Maharashtra. However what makes it special is this fort is one of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites. During 18th century the Lohagad Fort was built and it is located at a height of 3400 feet. Chatrapati Shivaji used this fort during his time to preserve his treasury. There are a total of 4 entrances to this fort. These are Narayan Darwaza, Ganesh Darwaza, Hanuman Darwaza and Maha Darwaza. Furthermore this fort offers beautiful scenic views and it can ideally be a favourite destination for nature lovers.
Pataleshwar Cave Temple
Address: Jangali Maharaj Road
Timings: 8 am to 5:30 pm
Entry Fee: No entry fee
While discussing the famous historical places in Pune we really cannot miss out on this one. This is an ancient temple in Pune and is totally one of a kind. The construction of this temple goes back to the 8th century and is one of the renowned and popular temples in Pune. As the name suggests this is a cave temple. Here you will be able to witness interesting glimpses of rock cut structures. Furthermore it is also one of the protected monuments in Pune as well. Lord Shiva, Lord Ram, Devi Sita, Laxmana, Lord Ganesha reside in this temple.
Shinde Chatri
Address: Wanwadi Road, Pune Cantonment, Pune, Maharashtra
Timings: 7 am to 8 pm
Entry Fee: Rs. 5 for Indians and Rs. 25 for foreigners
This is again one of the popular historical places in Pune that you need to visit. The royalty of the Maratha empire is visible a little too well here. Here you will find many paintings regarding the life and deeds of the great Maratha leader Shri Mahdji Shinde. At first this location was actually meant for a temple of Lord Shiva. However after the death of Mahdji Shinde this turned into a cremation ground. With lush greenery the place looks really alluring. So whenever you are in Pune make sure to check out this historical place in Pune.
Parvati Hill
Address: Swargate Bus Station, Parvati Paytha, Pune, Maharashtra
Timings: 8 am to 5 pm
Located at an impressive height of 640 metres, this one is one of the historical places in Pune. Here you will be able to explore the Parvati Hill Temple Complex. Idols of Goddess Parvati, Lord Ganesha, Lord Kartikeya and Lord Vishnu are here. According to historians this is the location where the Peshwas used to come to offer their prayer. Alongside there is the Parvati Museum here as well. With a beautiful collection of exhibits you can truly get delved into the rich historical past here. From ancient coins, to artifacts, manuscripts and weapons you will get to explore a lot here. Make sure you are definitely checking out this location.
Wrapping Up!
The rich history of Pune is very well reflected in all the historical structures present here. After all that is why the historical locations of a place are so important. They are one of the ways by which we can get transported to the bygone days. Also the intricate carvings, splendid architecture and the richness of the land are too thrilling to witness. And if you are one of the people who enjoy visiting historical locations then keep this list of historical places in Pune with names for yourself. This article will be helpful for you if you are planning a trip to Pune. Explore the historical places in Pune city and enrich yourself with the historical past. Let me know if this particular article is helpful for you in planning your trip. And don’t forget to tell me when you are planning a trip to Pune.
