Explore Pune in a day

The day begins at Dagdu Shet, a temple dedicated to Lord Ganesh and arguably the most famous one in Pune. This temple was built in 1892 by a sweet maker who lost his son to the plague. The temple played a crucial role in inspiring Lokmanya Tilak to organise the annual Ganesh festival to unite Indians to fight for freedom from the British.

History comes alive at the Raja Dinkar Kelkar museum which is one of the largest one-man collections in the world. Dinkar Kelkar toured some of the remotest parts of India and collected artifacts including embroidered textiles, sculptures, antique vessels and swords of the Marathas. Guests will be fascinated with Mastani Mahal, a room recreated from the ruins of the original Palace which was a symbol of the royal romance between Baji Rao the legendary prime minister of Maratha Empire and Mastani, his lady love.

We visit Shaniwar Wada, the seat of power of the Peshwas or Prime Ministers of the powerful Maratha Empire which was a dominant power in India between the 17th and 19th centuries. This Palace was built in 1730 in honor of Peshwa Bajirao Ballal Balaji Bhat for services rendered to the Maratha Empire. Shaniwarwada is considered as the most haunted place in Pune! Our guide will tell you the stories of how the Palace witnessed an early and unfortunate death, a betrayal, a tragic love story and treachery. As per local legends, even today Shaniwarwada is dreaded for supernatural activities on the full-moon night! People believe that the fort is haunted by the ghost of Bajirao’s grandson Narayanrao, who was murdered by his family.

The Darshan museum is a unique biographical museum dedicated to the Life and teaching of Sadhu Vaswani, a spiritual leader.Sadhu Vaswani professed the need for love and reverence for the betterment of humanity. It is a modern museum that uses multi media technology to tell the story of Sadhu Vaswani and his teachings. Upliftment of women and animal rights were 2 causes very close to his heart. In fact Novermber 25, Sadhu Vaswani’s birth date, is celebrated as the International Meatless and Animal Rights Day.

The Aga Khan Palace is a national monument of India’s freedom movement. Built in 1892 by Imam Sultan Muhammad Shah Aga Khan III, the Palace witnessed some remarkabale events that define India’s freedom movement against the British. Gandhiji, his wife Kasturba Gandhi and his secretary Mahadevbhai Desai were imprisoned here during the Quit India movement in 1942. During the guided tour, guests will realize why the Aga Khan Palace is a memorial to Gandhiji and his simple life.