travelougue about pune examples
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Trip Introduction
Pune has kind of always played second fiddle to Mumbai and I was always keen to find out more about this seventh largest Indian metropolis. So when my close friend Kishor told me that we could stay at his flat in Pune for a day and roam about...I did not let go of the opportunity. Pune city is known to have existed as a town since 937 AD. Shivaji Maharaj, the founder of the Maratha Empire, lived in Pune as a young boy, and the city oversaw significant growth and development during his reign. Around 1730, Pune city became an important political centre as the seat of the Peshwas - the prime ministers to the Chhatrapati i.e 'The Ruler'.The whole of Pune city is abound with the signs of the 'Glorious Age' gone by of the Peshwas.Moropant Trimbak Pingle was the first Peshwa (Prime Minister) in the court of Shivaji in 1647, and post that the Peshwas became stronger and stronger in stature and later became the hereditary rulers of the Maratha Empire from 1749 to 1818.
(I loved this painting above at a shop which shows the Chatrapati interacting with his ministers .What a grand era it must have been!)
The thing with Pune is that like all great cities, you have to digest the good with the bad. The road sense of Pune traffic goers really puts a bad taste in your mouth. Please be very alert when you drive in this city...VERY! The number of two wheelers are so immense that it reminds you of the 'Soldier Ants' on Discovery channel who go about chopping the leaves with their tongs and destroying everything in their way. There are men on bikes with men, men sitting behind women, women driving alone, old uncles driving their scooty - all of them appearing from one invisible side lane or other giving you the brakebumps. Kishor told me that the high number of two wheelers is due to the fact that there is no local train system in Pune...but that has nothing to do with developing bad traffic sense. The autowallahs are no good either...and I will explain that with a funny incident.Another friend of mine joined us from Mumbai in the night and his travel expenses were like this : Mumbai to Pune Shivaji Park(140 Km's) - 150 INR and Shivaji Park to Patwardhan Baug(probably 10 Km's - Where Kishor stays) in an auto : 100 INR. Ridiculous...Isn't it?
The first thing you gotta do in Pune in case you have a slight empty stomach is try out the awesome Vegeterian Thalis(Authentic Maharashtrian Style) around the city. Since I was with a local guy, I was taken to the one of the best - Krishna Dining at Law College Road.
(The authentic Maharashtrian Veg Thali)
the pic above!
An authentic Maharashtrian Thali will have a salad called 'Koshimbir'(Small pieces of Cucumber mixed with cold curd - the white salad in the picture) and the trademark 'Batata Bhaji'( Boiled and dry fried potatoes spices with curry leaves and other Indian masalas). What I really loved was the Matarchi Usal( A mildly spicy Green Pea centric gravy - the bowl on the right side of the roti/bread). The food supply for the thali is unlimited and the final serving in main course is Rice with Yellow Dal(Pulses) with a cheerful sprinkling of ghee. I will give this restaurant a five star rating not only for the taste but also cleanliness and manners. The staff is polite yet forthcoming. One full veg thali costs 170 INR but believe me...It's worth it!
After such a meal which fills you up till your throat, what do you do! Well, in Pune you can always land up for a panoramic view from Parvati hill that also mounts a 'Bhavani Temple'(In hindu mythology 'Bhavani' is the ferocious aspect of goddess Parvati).
the photo above!
It's not a trek to the hill...in fact it's an easy climb...but definitely useful to digest your food and savour the 360 degree view of Pune city.
the pic above!
When evening falls , the best place to meander is the impressive Deccan area. It is upmarket, upbeat and not to forget...very crowded with both people(a lot of students as Pune is one of the leading educational lanmarks of India with over hundred Institutes) and branded shops. One must try the Chole Bhature(A traditional Indian veg dish) at Shiv Sagar and the Vada Pao at Sambhaji park opposite to it.
The weather of Pune is an added attraction...maybe because of the fact that its 500 Mts higher than the sea level.The evenings are nice and cool and it's a great change from Mumbai's constant humidity. You will see some outrageous hoardings behind the auto rickshaws and I saw two : 'Meri chalti hain toh teri kyun jalti hain'(I really cant translate this one...:-(...so sorry my non Indian readers) and 'Mujhe nahi pata aapko jaana kahan hain toh kripya bata do pehle se'. Very unique...I must say!
