Fascinating religious places around Pune: Neelkantheshwar

Neelkantheshwar Temple

Given a number of options in historical and religious attractions, Pune is truly a cultural capital of the Indian state, Maharashtra. Tourists from different parts of the world arrive in this region every year to witness its architectural wonders. Visitors to Pune city can also explore some interesting attractions located at places close to it during their holiday spent in this part of India.

Among these attractions is Neelkantheshwar, a famous religious site of Hindus located at a distance of about 50 kilometres from the city. Neelkantheshwar is one of the names by which Lord Shiva is known among his devotees. This name is derived from the words 'neel', which means 'blue', and 'kanth', which means 'throat'. Road to Neelkantheshwar is less crowded, and takes visitors through some scenic surroundings. A temple of Lord Shiva is the main highlight of this place. Its walls are decorated with images of other Hindu gods, and it also houses the sacred symbol of Lord Shiva called 'Shiva Linga'.

Regular buses or private vehicles available from Pune enable tourists to reach this place comfortably. Having an accommodation in any of the budget hotels in Pune would give them the necessary convenience to visit this well-known tourist attraction near Pune.

Saras Baug is one of the major landmarks of Pune

Saras Baug, a park located in Pune city of the Indian state, Maharashtra, was developed using the land where a lake had dried up. It is spread over a vast area of 25 acres, and houses a temple dedicated to Lord Ganesha. This temple was built during the eighteenth century near Parvati Temple. Over the years, the temple and its surrounding area underwent several renovations, and one of them was done with the help of East India Company in 1842.

According to legends, this temple was used by Marathas for discussing military strategies against the Nizam and British forces. The boats in which they arrived and departed were steered by non-natives to maintain complete secrecy. Saras Baug is located at a distance of about 6 kilometres from Pune Railway Station and about a kilometre from Swargate bus station. Tourists having an accommodation in Pune can visit this park and other popular places of interest during their vacation in the city.

The temple of Lord Ganesha in this park gets thousands of visitors every day. On certain occasions like Ganesh Chaturthi, up to eighty thousand devotees make a visit to this temple. Many of the luminaries and dignitaries also visit this sacred place to seek the blessings of Lord Ganesha.

Darshan Museum is a must-see for tourists of Pune

Sadhu Vaswani Mission Building, Pune

The Sadhu Vaswani Mission Building is a majestic structure located opposite Sadhu Vaswani Chowk in the Indian city, Pune. First floor of this building houses the Darshan Museum, dedicated to Sadhu T. L. Vaswani, a noted Sindhi saint and scholar. It offers a great visual experience for its visitors with the use of graphic panels, audio-visual materials, real-life mannequins, holographic screens and other technological wonders.

Dialogues and narrative in an audio-visual form gets any visitor emotionally involved with the life and teachings of Sadhu T. L. Vaswani. This is done through 8 zones of the museum, and visitors can explore all of them with the help of ushers. Narrative is available in Hindi and English languages for the convenience of all visitors. Currently, the spiritual head of Sadhu Vaswani Mission is J.P. Vaswani. This organization is involved in philanthropic works in various fields like healthcare, spiritual upliftment, education, and rural development.

Aamir Khan, a popular Indian actor, had inaugurated this museum on the 1st of August, 2011. He also had a question and answer session with J. P. Vaswani at the function. Tourists can stay in any of the budget hotels in Pune to have greater savings and convenience in visiting this museum and other attractions of the city.

Ultimate Nightspots in Pune

With it history as great as its people, Pune city has changed its orbit from a small village place to a hub of igniting cocktails, rooftop lounges, absinthe shots and underground nightclubs. Get abducted for partying hard at Pune's ultimate nightspots that will fill you up completely during the weekends or holidays with exciting and enthralling activities that will not let your feet stop.

Area-51 Pune

The best nightspots in Pune are actually life-stimulants, known for their enticing ambiance and delicious delicacies, keeping up the spirit of life. Pune being an important commercial center, it has supplied to the young and auspicious with all the necessities, especially for the hip-and-happening mindset. The city offers everything salient nature walks, booming industrial progress, best street food, 3/4-star hotels, budget accommodation, energetic lounge bars and pubs, you name it.

One of the main areas of the boom is the modern nesting of 'Baner', a progressing suburb that comprises many entertaining activities, live acts, best discs, banquets, resorts in Pune city. This area has the need-of-the-time entertainment supply and also young enthusiastic and nature lover reside in the heart of this place. From lessons learned from other cities and after carefully observing what other successful cities are doing, this suburb is formulated in an amalgamation of green-industry and environment-friendly projects.

Area-51 Inside view

One of Baner's many offerings is India's largest revolving lounge, Area-51 from Panoramic Group of companies that are pioneering in the providing the best entertaining activities in modern cities. It is located in Pancard Clubs premises that is located at the foothills of Baner Hill and is the fun-capital of Pune, making your celebratory occasions special and unforgettable with full of surprises.

Area 51

Area51 is a spaceship-shaped discotheque is an ideal place to sip and spin your body, and ultimate venue to host parties, weeding receptions, conferences, private events and much more. Area 51 is 10,000 square feet wide and is circular in shape. Not only this, this place also has well-equipped conference space for all your business needs.

The amazing Dagadusheth Halwai Ganpati celebrations

Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations in Dagadusheth Halwai Ganpati Temple of Pune

The Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations in Dagadusheth Halwai Ganpati Temple of Pune attract plenty of tourists and devotees of Lord Ganesha in large numbers every year. Dedicated to Lord Ganesha, this temple is visited by thousands of people, including politicians, actors, and other famous personalities. Its main Ganesha idol is insured for a sum of 10,000,000 rupees, which amounts to 170,000 US Dollars. Annual celebrations of Ganesh Chaturthi is managed by Shreemant Dagdusheth Halwai Sarvajanik Ganpati Trust. The organization puts in great efforts to make sure that the festival is celebrated in a grand manner. It also carries out philanthropic works from the donations received from the people of Pune and other parts of the world.

Dagadusheth Halwai Ganapati Temple, Pune

History of Dagadusheth Halwai Ganapati Temple goes back to the times when a rich and famous trader of sweets named Dagadusheth Halwai made two idols, one of Lord Datta Maharaj and the other of Lord Ganapati. Dagadusheth had lost his son during the outbreak of plague in those times, which left him and his wife depressed and in great sorrow. The idols were created following the suggestion from his spiritual Guru known as Shri Madhavnath Maharaj. He had told Dagadusheth to make the two idols, and to worship and take care of them as if they were his own sons. Dagadusheth Halwai later established the Shreemant Dagdusheth Halwai Sarvajanik Ganpati Trust, which operates an old age home and is involved in various social services in recent times.

Lord Ganesha

Worshippers of Lord Ganesha and tourists arrive at the Dagadusheth Halwai Ganapati Temple every year to witness the great idol and seek blessings of the deity. An accommodation in Pune in any of the popular hotels offer them great convenience in visiting this temple, as well as other interesting places nearby. They can enjoy great facilities in such hotels, which makes their stay a memorable experience.

Rajiv Gandhi Zoological Park: An Overview

Rajiv Gandhi Zoological Park, Pune

Pune is visited by numerous tourists every year from different parts of the world, as it is known as the cultural capital of Maharashtra, one of the largest states of India. There are many tourist attractions in Pune spread across different parts of the city, and can be reached with the help of its efficient public transport system. One of such attractions is the Rajiv Gandhi Zoological Park, which is housed in a place called Katraj. It is spread over a vast area of 130 acres, comprising of a snake park, animal orphanage and zoo. Lions, Barking Deer, Hyena, Jungle Cat, Fox and Nilgai are some of the animals kept in this zoological park.

Snake Park, Pune

History of this park dates back to the year 1953, when Pune Municipal Corporation established Peshwe Park with an area of 7 acres. This zoo had animals kept in traditional cages, and was located near Parvati hills in the heart of the city. Mr. Neelam Kumar Khaire, the first director of Peshwe Park, created Katraj Snake Park with the help of Pune Municipal Corporation in 1986. A more modern zoo was developed close to it in 1997 in accordance with the Central Zoo Authority of India's guidelines. The zoo, animal orphanage and snake park came to be known as Rajiv Gandhi Zoological Park and Wildlife Research Centre. Today it is one of the popular places to visit in Pune among tourists and the park gets a sizeable number of visitors coming from distant places every year.

 

Travellers to this city would find many hotels and resorts where they can enjoy a good stay during their vacation. An affordable hotel in Pune is preferred by backpackers and budget travellers looking for a cost-effective accommodation. While they offer rooms at lower prices, quality of service provided to their guests is never compromised.

Witness the Marvellous Cultural Attractions in Pune

Known as the cultural capital of the Indian state, Maharashtra, Pune is a cosmopolitan city and an important commercial centre. It is situated at an elevation of 1,837 feet above sea level and is the second largest metropolis in Maharashtra. There are many places to visit in Pune for tourists visiting from distant places. Being the erstwhile capital of the Maratha empire under the popular Maratha king, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, there are several historical attractions to explore for travellers during their vacation in this region.

Shaniwar Wada, Pune

International as well as domestic tourists travelling by air can get to their preferred locations in this city via the airport located at Lohegaon. Pune Railway Station provides access to various parts of the city for those who choose to travel by train. Tourists travelling to Pune by road can take buses operated by Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) or private service providers. Amongst the most popular Pune tourist attractions is the Shaniwar Wada, which is an important landmark in the city.. It was built by Peshwa Bajirao I during the eighteenth century. Shinde Chhatri, a memorial built in the honour of a great Maratha nobleman, Mahadji Shinde, is also a major attraction in this city. Pataleshwar Cave Temples, Aga Khan Palace, Vishrambaug Wada and Tribal Museum are some of the other attractions worth visiting in Pune.

Aga Khan Palace, Pune

Many people travel to this region for business purposes as well and might want to explore popular tourist spots in-between their business commitments. They can have a pleasant stay in any of the hotels that offer excellent rooms and suites, well-equipped with modern facilities. Budget travellers can book their accommodation in an affordable hotel in Pune to enjoy a comfortable stay while holidaying in this city. Although such hotels provide affordable stay to tourists, they do not compromise on the quality of services offered to their guests.