Pune, also called Punyanagari, is located at the foothills of the Sahyadris. It lies between latitude of 18° 32’ N and longitude of 73° 51’ E. Climate is pleasant with temperature varying from 15
oC to 35
oC. Best time to visit is October - March. The common languages spoken are
Marathi,
Hindi and English.
Ruled by
Peshwas, it was the former headquarters of the powerful Maratha Empire. Under their reign many transformations were made and the city prospered. It is also the birth place of
Chhatrapati Shivaji, a great ruler of the 17th century.
With its industrial and commercial development, Pune has become one of the major metropolitan cities in India and is known as the automobile city. Film and Television Institute of India and National Defence Academy are its pride. Pune Festival, celebrated in the months of August-September, is the major festival.
Points of interests are Aga Khan Palace, Shindyanchi
Chhatri, Shaniwar Wada, Katraj Snake Park, Tribal Museum, Pataleshwar Cave Temple. The meditation and rejuvenation center in Koregaon Park, the Osho Commune International, is one of the noteworthy spots in Pune. At a distance of 52 km, you can find the majestic 18th century Lohagad and Visapur forts.
Excellent accommodation facilities are available in and around Pune; Hotel Le Meridien Pune, Hotel Sun-n-Sand, Hotel Taj Blue Diamond
and Travel Inn are among them.
Pune, well-connected by roads, is 170 km south-east of Mumbai and 142 km from
Thane.Pune Lohegaon Airport, with the services of Indian Airlines and Jet Airways, is 10 km from the city. Direct flights are available to Delhi, Mumbai,
Ahmedabad, Hyderabad and Goa. Pune Junction Railway Station, on broad gauge line, is in the city center.