PUNE CITY IN PICTURES - DAY TIME

Photo Travelogue :
Read first part - Here!

My first impression of the city was, hey, it looks just like Bombay aka Mumbai. But in closer look, although, it had lots of similarities, there were differences too. And being a Bambaikar for so many years now, I'm bit biased towards Bambai. Anyhow, it seemed like any other city, and I was like ~ oh...so, this is Pune, that, I had heard so much about. Although, its in higher altitude ( compared to Bombay ), I found it quite hot as well. And the traffic...phew, is there a place in India where there is no traffic? Pune had its share as well...here are some pics of Pune seen through my eyes. Since, it was a one day trip, I'm sure I've missed out on lot of other aspects of the city.


welcome to Pune city...


Pune sheher maa de tumala swagat aahe...pardon my poor marathi :-p


*Deja Vu* these red buses are so much like those in Bambai...


the various roads around the city...


some official buildings,...




some old, british-time structures...


I wish that vehicle was not there...


some landmarks and a mall...


is there a road in India where you don't meet them?


alas, sipping tea in front of Pune station, before leaving...


bye bye Pune....until, we meet again...
Pune is a sprawling city in the western Indian state of Maharashtra. Pune is the second largest city in the Indian state of Maharashtra, after Mumbai. It is the ninth most populous city in the country. 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.

Address : Pune, Maharashtra
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( Images - ©Mine. All rights reserved. )
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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.

In the past,these #spikes wer enuff 2 give enemies sleepless nights! #Shaniwarwada #Fort #travelblogger #ttot #pune pic.twitter.com/lD7wvlDlfX

— ? ? NandiniDéka ? ? (@NandiniDeka) July 7, 2016

view of Shaniwarwada from the corner where the bus dropped me off...


some quick bite of delicious Sabudana Vadas & chutney before I go in...


the compound is big with a statue in the front...


the main entrance...see the crowds? Yikes!!


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


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


some old topes and carriages stored just inside the entrance...


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


views of the complex ~ center, left and right...


view from top...many buildings caught fire mysteriously and was destroyed...


going up...


the open balcony or is it the main hall?


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?


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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