Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the history of Pune?

2. What is the climate of Pune?
3. What is the cuisine of Pune?
4. Which are the best places to eat in Pune?
5. Which are the places to visit in and around Pune?
6. Where should I shop for souvenirs in Pune?
7. Which are the best hospitals in Pune?
8. Which are the good schools in Pune?
9. Which are the nearest railway stations, bus stands and airport?
1. What is the history of Pune?
A. Pune is the second largest city in Maharashtra and is the cultural capital of the state. Its history
dates back to the 8th century AD when, under the rule of the Rashtrakuta Dynasty, the
Pataleshwar temple was hewn out of rock.

The city, however, developed substantially during Maratha rule between the 17 th and 19th
centuries. Many of the landmarks you see today were built during that time. It began with the
construction of urban areas called Peths in the 17th and 18th centuries. Baji Rao I built the
Shaniwar Wada as the seat of Peshwa power in 1736.

Pune fell to the British in 1817 and remained under British rule until India achieved independence
in 1947. During this time a number of educational institutes were established here. Prominent
among these are the College of Engineering, Pune, established by the British in 1854 and
Fergusson College, which was set up by the Bal Gangadhar Tilaks Deccan Education Society in
1885.

Soon after Independence, the existence of so many educational institutions in Pune prompted
Indias first Prime Minister, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, to call it the Oxford of the East. After
Independence a number of well-known educational institutes were established in Pune, notably
the National Defence Academy (NDA), the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII) and the
Armed Forces Medical College (AFMC).

2. What is the climate of Pune?

A. The climate in Pune is generally moderate. Summer is between March and mid-June when day
temperatures can rise up to 38o C. Due to low humidity, the heat can feel searing when youre out
in the sun. Nights, with temperatures around 20 o C, can be quite pleasant. The monsoon begins in
mid-June and lasts till mid-October when day and night temperatures drop by around 10 o C from
the summer levels. During the winter, temperatures range between 28 o C in the day and 7o C at
night.

3. What is the cuisine of Pune?

A. The cuisine of Pune is the typical Maharashtrian cuisine. Lunch or dinner may consist of poli
(chapattis), aamti or rassa (types of vegetable, chicken or mutton curries), bhaji (vegetables),
koshimbir (salad), loncha (pickle), and papad. A second course may consist of bhat (rice) with
aamti, rassa or varan (sweetened tur dal served with ghee). Varan-bhat-batatyachi-bhaji is a
popular rice meal which includes a side dish made of potatoes. Another popular rice meal is
khichidi-chatni (rice cooked with moong dal served with chatni as a side dish).

Some of the popular tea time snacks are kande pohe (a dish made out of flattened rice, onions
and potatoes), kanda bhajiya (onion mixed in gram flour and deep fried) and batata vada (cooked
potato balls dipped in gram flour and deep fried).

Some sweets are made for festivals. These include puran poli (chapattis stuffed with a mixture of
jaggery and gram flour) for Holi, modak (a mixture of jaggery and coconut wrapped in rice dough
and boiled or fried) for Ganpati, and karanji (a mixture of jaggery and coconut wrapped in maida
and boiled or fried), shankarpali (crisply fried diamond shaped sweets made from maida, milk and
sugar dough) and rava ladoos for Diwali.

The popular dry snacks that you can carry home and store for a few days are bhakarvadi (crisply
fried slices of a roll stuffed with a mixture of spices) and chivda (a dry, fried mixture of flattened
rice, dry coconut, gram, peanuts and spices).
4. Which are the best places to eat in Pune?
A. Pune has a multicultural crowd consisting of working professionals, artists as well as students. It
caters to everyone with a vast variety of places of entertainment and food joints. Right from the
traditional Maharashtrian food to a wide choice of Indian as well as multicuisine restaurants are
available here. Some famous restaurants are listed below according to the cuisines they offer:

Maharashtrian:

Shabree, 1199/1A Ferguson College Road, Deccan Gymkhana, Pune

Durvankur Dining Hall, Near Sahitya Parishad, 1166, Sadashiv Peth, Hatti Ganapati Chowk,
Tilak Road, Pune

Sukanta, Jangli Maharaj Road, 636, Deccen Gymkhana, Pulachi Wadi, Deccan Gymkhana, Pune

Potoba, Near Sahajanand Bus Stop, E 1 Kumar Parisar, Near Sahajanand Bus Stop, Karve
Road, Kothrud, Pune

North Indian:

Sigree, City Tower, 2nd Floor, Dhole Patil Road, Pune

Nawab, 1st Floor, San Mahu Complex, Bund Garden Road, Pune Railway Station, Pune

The Great Punjab Restaurant, 5, Jewel Tower, North Main Road, 5th Lane, Koregaon Park ,
Pune

Kebab Hut, Sun n Sand, 35 A, Graficon Arcade, Sasoon Road, Pune

Chingaari, Le Meridien, R.B.M. Road, Near Pune Railway Station, Pune

South Indian:

Vaishali, 1218/1, Shivajinagar, Fergusson College Road, Pune

Ram Krishna Restaurant, 6 Melodina Road, Camp Cantonment, Pune

Roopali, Fergusson College Road, Pune

Coffee House, 2A, Moledina Road, Camp, Pune

Chinese:

Mainland China, City Point, Gr. Floor, Dhole Patil Road, Boat Club, Pune

Chinese Room, 2434, East Street, Camp, Pune

Whispering Bamboos Restaurant, Taj Blue Diamond, 11, Koregaon Park Road, Pune

All Stir Fry Restaurant, E-Square Mall, 132, University Road, Ganeshkhind, Pune

Sizzler Houses:

Yoko, G3, 5th Avenue, Dhole Patil Road, Pune

 Bounty Sizzlers, Landmark Garden, Shop No. 14, 15, Kalyaninagar, Pune

The Place, 7, Moledina Road, Daver Centre, Camp, Pune

Yana, Mariplex, 1st Floor, Vadgaon Sheri, Kalyaninagar, Pune,

Apart from these restaurants, you can also get Bengali food at Radhika, Gujarati food at Rajdhani
Veg Thali and Mayur Veg Thali, coastal food at Coconut Grove and Mahesh Lunch home, and
Hyderabadi food at Golconda and Khao Khilao.

5. Which are the places to visit in and around Pune?

A. Pataleshwar temple: This 8th century temple on Jungli Maharaj Road at Shivaji Nagar was cut
out of a single basalt rock during the reign of the Rashtrakuta Dynasty. It is known for its
architecture and sculpture. At the centre of the temple is a shrine dedicated to Lord Shiva with a
Shivalinga that is worshipped every day.

Shaniwar Wada: Peshwa Baji Rao I laid the foundation stone of the fort palace on Saturday,
January 10, 1730. It was named Shaniwar Wada after the day of the week, Shaniwar, which in
Marathi is Saturday. (Wada is a Marathi term for residence.) Later, fortifications and court halls
were added. In 1828, the fort palace, by now a seven-storey structure, was destroyed in a fire.
Only the stone ramparts and foundations, along with the heavy teak gates survived the fire.

Raja Dinkar Kelkar Museum: This museum is located on Bajirao road. The building for this
museum is an example of Rajasthani architecture. Dr Dinkar G. Kelkar established the museum
and collected items for the museum from 1920 to 1960, with the number of items exceeding
15,000. The museum was given to the Department of Archeology in 1962. There are 36 sections
in the museum which have 2500 items on display, including musical instruments, paintings,
pottery and carved temple doors. The museum also has statues of religiously significant figures. It
is a great place to learn about the history and culture of the surrounding area.

Aga Khan Palace: This glorious palace boasts of Italian arches and beautiful gardens. It has a
historical significance as Mahatma Gandhi and Kasturba Gandhi were kept here during 1942.
This place belonged to Aga Khan, prince and head of Khoja sect, who donated it in the memory
of Mahatma Gandhi and Kasturba Gandhi, who died in this palace. There is a photographic
exibition of various periods in the freedom movement here. It also has rare black and white
photographs as well as paintings. The place is full of tranquillity and solace. You can also visit
samadhi of Kasturba Gandhi which is in the backyard.

Bund Garden: Bund Garden, also known as Mahatma Gandhi Udyan is located near the Pune
railway station, on the right bank of the Mula Mutha river. It was constructed by Sir Jamshedji
Jeejeebhoy primarily for providing water to the poor during summer. It has become a popular spot
for citizens with its scenic surroundings and attractions of boating facilities and jogging track. A
wide variety of birds, including migratory birds attracts bird watching enthusiasts to this place.

Pashan Lake: Pashan Lake is a manmade lake located on the outskirts of Pune city. The lake is
a natural habitat of numerous migratory bird species and is considered as a birdwatchers
paradise. You can spot rare species of birds like the Small Blue Kingfisher, Rufus-backed Shrike,
Indian Whiskered Tern, Ashy Wren Warbler etc during the post monsoon and summer seasons.
Many migratory birds halt here before heading on their way to the southern states like
Kumarakom lake in Kerala.

Osho International Meditation Resort: The Osho Ashram is located in Koregaon Park in a 32
acre campus. It attracts thousands of foreigners who are inspired by the preaching and ideologies
of Osho Rajneesh and wish to participate in the courses organized by the Ashram. It is a resort
for meditation and yoga. Regular training programs on meditation, inner healing and self
 discovery are conducted in this place. This ashram was founded by Osho Rajneesh who died in
1990. His samadhi is situated in the Ashram. The ashram is popularly known as Spiritual Disney
Land.

6. Where should I shop for souvenirs in Pune?

A. Your visit to Pune is incomplete without buying the famous traditional goodies. Chitales
bhakarvadi (crisply fried slices of a roll stuffed with a mixture of spices) from any of the branches
of Chitale Bandhu, Laxminarayan chivda (a dry, fried mixture of flattened rice, dry coconut, gram,
peanuts and spices) and Shrewsberry biscuits from the Kayani Bakery are some of the famous
delicacies which can be stored for a few days. You can also buy fresh strawberries and
raspberries from Mahabaleshwar.

Apart from these eatables, you can buy the famous Puneri sari as a souvenir for friends and
family members. You can buy Narayan Peth and Paithani saris from shops at Bajirao Road,
Laxmi Road and East Street. Other gift items such as purses and wall hangings made from this
fabric are also available in these markets. You can buy other gift items from Mahatma Gandhi
Road. Shops are open from morning ten to evening nine and are closed on Mondays.

7. Which are the best hospitals in Pune?

A. There are many multi-speciality hospitals in Pune. Some of them are:

Aditya Birla Memorial Hospital (ABMH)

Aditya Birla Memorial Hospital (ABMH) is a multi-speciality medical centre situated in the Pimpri
Chinchwad area. The hospital provides cost effective medical services in nephrology, child health,
cardiovascular services and blood bank among others.

Location: Aditya Birla Hospital Marg, Pimpri Chinchwad

Website: [Link]
Contact: 020 30717615

Ruby Hall Hospital

Ruby hall is a multi-speciality hospital which offers several sophisticated and modern medical
equipments with an objective to provide proper health care beneath one roof. The facilities Ruby
Hospital offers to the patients include blood bank unit, intensive care centre, diagnostic centre,
neurology and cardiac surgery centre. The hospital is accredited by both State and Central
government.
Location: 40, Sasoon Road, Near Pune Station
Website: [Link]
Contact: 020 26123391

K E M Hospital
The KEM Hospital is a multi-specialty hospital providing an overall range of ultra-modern
treatment along with the diagnostic amenities for its patients in the city of Pune. The hospital has
well-equipped cardiac centres, trauma & casualty unit, five OTs, renal unit, reproductive health
centre, day care centre and diabetes unit. This hospital is affiliated to the Pune University and the
B J Medical College.

Location: K E M Hospital Research Centre, Sardar Moodliar Road, Rastha Pet

Website: [Link]
Contact: 020 26125224

Jehangir Hospital
Jehangir Hospital is associated with the Apollo Group and offers quality patient care, good
nursing care and medical services. They have a number of departments along with intensive care
unit, oncology day care unit and general medicines.
 Location: 32, Sasson Road, Near Pune Station
Website: [Link]
Contact: 020 26050550

Deenanath Mangeshkar Hospital and Research Centre:

Deenanath Mangeshkar Hospital and Research Centre is run by the Mangeshkar family. The
hospital has well qualified medical professionals and excellent infrastructure and has various
departments which include cardiology, cardiac surgery, neurology, spine clinic, joint replacement,
and plastic surgery to name a few.

Location: Nal Stop, Near Mehendale Gardge, Erandawane

Website: [Link]
Contact: 020 40151000 / 66023000 (Multiple Lines)

Sasson General Hospital

Sasson General Hospital is a large hospital with 1500 bed capacity. This multispecialty hospital in
Pune is run by the State Government. B.J. Medical College and a Nursing college are also
attached to it. SOFOSH (Society of Friends of the Sasson Hospital), an NGO works here for the
welfare of poor patients and provide home for orphan children in their child care centre
Shreevatsa.

Location: B.J. Medical College and Sassoon Hospital, Near Pune Railway Station, Sassoon Road
Contact: 020 26128000

8. Which are the good schools in Pune?

A. Pune is known as the Oxford of the East owing to the presence of hundreds of reputed
educational institutions which caters to Indian as well as foreign students in the city. Schools in
Pune are famous for the high standards they have set in the field of education. Pune boasts of
multiple schools associated with CBSE, ICSE and Maharashtra State Board.

CBSE Schools:

1) Delhi Public School (DPS), Nyati County Mohammadwadi Village, Kondhwa Pune 411048
Phone: 020 26970418, 26970428, Email: info@[Link]
2) The Heritage School, S No 127 Village Ambi Off Mumbai Pune Highway, Talegaon Dabhade
Taluk Maval, Pune 411001, Phone: 952056028358
3) The Orchid School, S No 80/1/2/1 Baner Mhalunge Road Near Signet Corner, Baner Pune
411045, Phone: 020-27292701
4) Kendriya Vidyalaya, I.S.P Nehru Nagar Estate Nasik Pune High Road, Maharashtra
Email: kvisp_nsk@[Link], Phone No: 0253, 557038.
5) Abhinav Vidyalaya English Medium School, 102/103 Karve Road near Telephone Exchange,
Nal Stop Pune 411004, Phone: 020-25443937
Bharati Vidyapeeth English Medium School, Dhankavadi, Pune-411043
6) Global International School, Vallabh Nagar, Pimpri, Pune
7) City International, School, Pl No. 3, Sukhwani Elite, Pimpri, Pune, Tel. No. 2744 0333
8) D A V Public School, DP Road, Aundh, Pune 411 007 Tel. No. 25880372, 25893694,
25880372, 2589 0080

ICSE Schools:
 1) Roseland School, Sr No 48 Katraj Kondhwa Road Gokulnagar Chowk, Kondhwa Budruk
Pune 411048, Phone: 020-26934023
2) Bishops, Near Adlabds, Kalyaninagar, Pune, Tel. No. 2611 5159
3) Rosary High School,15-16 Ambedkar Road, Pune H.O. Pune 411001, Phone: 020-
26134668
St. Helena, Camp, Pune, Tel. No. 2612 4384
4) Hutchings, Near Golibar Maidan, Pune, Tel. No. 2633 5745, 2636 3644
5) Vidya Valley, Pashan Sus Road, Sus Village, Pashan, Pune Tel. No. 6533 9984 / 85 / 86
6) Poddar International School, Opp. Dr. Beck & Co., Pimpri, Tel. No. 2742 4160
7) Symbiosis, Vimannagar, Pune, Tel. 2663 4533
8) St. Mary School, Pune 411 001, Tel. No. 26356282, 26332200 (Mr. J Simoes, Principal)
9) Bishops School, Ganesh Mandir Kad Nagar, Mahammadwadi Road, Undri, Kondhwa, Pune
411 048, Tel. No. 32540383, 26360437, 26330261 (Principal Frank Freese)

Maharashtra State Board Schools:

1) Loyola High School, Near National Chemical Loboratory (NCL), Pashan Road Pune
411038, Phone: 020-25667099
2) Regimental Children School, CME, Dapoli, Pune 411031, Phone: 020-27145542
3) Sr. Ursulla School, Nigadi, Pune
4) Vidya Bhavan, Ganesh Khind Road, Pune 411 007
5) Karnataka High School / Dr. Shamrao Kalmadi School, Erandawana, Pune
6) St. Vincent School, Pune 411 001
7) Vastalya School, Wadachiwadi, Undri, Pune 411 048, Tel. No 4009 0494, Mobile No.
9823855304, 982239888
8) Dnyana Prabhodhini, Nigadi, PCNTDA, Pune 411 044.

9. Which are the nearest railway stations, bus stands and airport?
A. There are multiple modes of transportation available to reach Pune and to travel within and
around the city.

Railway Stations:
Pune is well connected by railways with major cities across the country such as Mumbai,
Bangalore, Ahmedabad, Amritsar, Aurangabad, Bangalore, Madras, Cochin, Delhi, Gwalior,
Jhansi, Calcutta, Trivandrum and Varanasi.

Pune has two major railway stations:

1) Pune Railway Station (Pune Junction)
2) Shivajinagar

There are two suburban train routes from Pune:

1) Pune Junction to Lonavala
2) Pune Junction to Talegaon
Shivajinagar Station, Khadki Station, Pimpri, Chinchwad, Akurdi, Dehu Road, Talegaon, Lonavala
are a few important stations on these routes.

Bus Stands:
Pune is easily accessible by bus from any of the major cities of Maharashtra.

Pune Municipal Transport provides transportation to every part of Pune with bus stations across
the city. Main bus stations in Pune are Swargate, Deccan Gymkhana, Pune station, Shivaji Nagar
Station, [Link] stand, Pune Corporation, Saras Baug, Market yard and Katraj. There are many
other bus shelters and small stands located in the city.

MSRTC (Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation) has bus stations within Pune at
Kothrud, Katraj, Market Yard, N. Tanajiwadi, Pune station, Swargate, and Shivajinagar. Buses ply
from Mumbai to Pune and other parts of Maharashtra from these MSRTC bus stations. There are
private buses and share taxis available for Mumbai and other locations with fixed charges.

Airport:
Pune is well connected with all major Indian cities with a good frequency of flights. Pune
International airport is located at Lohegaon around 25 kilometers from Bajaj Auto Akurdi on the
outskirts of the city.