SHANIWARWADA FORT, PUNE


Photo Travelogue :
Read first part - Here!

As I headed back from Sinhagad, my next stop was to be the very famous Shaniwarwada Fort in Pune. Mainly because, it was historical ( belonged to the mighty Peshwas of the great Maratha empire - Bajirao and Mastani ( seen the movie? ), they actually lived here once, plus, it is reportedly very haunted. Once you start entering Pune city, you can't help but notice it. Its right there in the middle of the city. Its huge, and the bus goes nearly around the entire complex. It dropped me near it...so, thankfully, I didn't have to get any other vehicle to reach here. At first glimpse, naturally, I was awed. But like any other famous place, it was littered with tourists too.



SHANIWARWADA FORT, PUNE
view of Shaniwarwada from the corner where the bus dropped me off...

SHANIWARWADA FORT, PUNESHANIWARWADA FORT, PUNE
some quick bite of delicious Sabudana Vadas & chutney before I go in...

SHANIWARWADA FORT, PUNE
the compound is big with a statue in the front...

SHANIWARWADA FORT, PUNE
the main entrance...see the crowds? Yikes!!

SHANIWARWADA FORT, PUNESHANIWARWADA FORT, PUNESHANIWARWADA FORT, PUNESHANIWARWADA FORT, PUNE
tried touching it; its gate is massive, so is that ( non-electronic ) door-bell...

SHANIWARWADA FORT, PUNE
must be fun selling tickets in such an old structure...Rs.10/- per head.

SHANIWARWADA FORT, PUNESHANIWARWADA FORT, PUNESHANIWARWADA FORT, PUNESHANIWARWADA FORT, PUNE
some old topes and carriages stored just inside the entrance...

SHANIWARWADA FORT, PUNE
back-side of the main entrance, some renovations going on...

SHANIWARWADA FORT, PUNESHANIWARWADA FORT, PUNESHANIWARWADA FORT, PUNE
views of the complex ~ center, left and right...

SHANIWARWADA FORT, PUNE
view from top...many buildings caught fire mysteriously and was destroyed...

SHANIWARWADA FORT, PUNE
going up...

SHANIWARWADA FORT, PUNESHANIWARWADA FORT, PUNESHANIWARWADA FORT, PUNESHANIWARWADA FORT, PUNE
the open balcony or is it the main hall?

SHANIWARWADA FORT, PUNESHANIWARWADA FORT, PUNESHANIWARWADA FORT, PUNESHANIWARWADA FORT, PUNE
the passage-ways, and various chambers. The last is the haunted one!

Sadly, I didn't encounter any ghosts on this site as well. And again, it is said, that one hears the bellowing cries of the young prince who was killed by his uncle even now, especially, on full moon nights. While I was in the balcony area, I got chatting with a guard who re-confirmed the spooky stories. He even pointed out the chamber where the cries are heard and informed me, no one is allowed to remain in the premises after dark. His words - "Mai yaha naya hu. Mere Sir ne bataya hai iske baare mei. Awaaze aate hai us kamre se jo ab locked hai, waha kata huwa tha. Ab nahi hota jada, par amawas ki raat ko kuch ho sakta hai/hota hai". Hmmm...interesting no?

SHANIWARWADA FORT, PUNE
last glimpse of the fort from outside, before I leave...

Shaniwarwada also known as Shanwarwada is a historical fortification in the city of Pune in Maharashtra, India. Built in 1732, it was the seat of the Peshwas of the Maratha Empire until 1818, when the Peshwas lost control to the British East India Company after the Third Anglo-Maratha War. In 1773, Narayanrao, who was the fifth and ruling Peshwa then, was murdered by guards on orders of his uncle Raghunathrao and aunt Anandibai. A popular rumour says that Narayanrao's ghost still calls for help on full moon nights. Various people, working around the area, have allegedly reported such cries. Sound of"Kaka mala wachawa"(Uncle save me) by Narayanrao Peshwa after his death ( wiki )

Address : Shaniwar Peth, Pune, Maharashtra 411030
Read next part - Here! Stay tuned for all my road, rail, flight, cruise & walk trips.
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