Unravel The Glorious Bygone Era With These Monuments In Pune

Pune, a well-established and thriving metropolitan city in Maharashtra, is famous as an IT landmark, earning economic and industrial prosperity over the years. But behind this modernistic imagery lies a rich, enigmatic, and mind-boggling historic city that still holds on to its roots like none. Established as a capital city of the Peshwas, Pune has preserved its cultural heritage to date. So, if you are a history lover or an explorer planning to unearth the lost tales in the pages of bygone eras, these historical places in Pune will be an excellent start for your endeavor.

Popularly known as Iron Fort, the Lohagad Fort is indeed one of the best historical places near Pune. It witnessed the rise and fall of both the Mughal and Maratha empires in the Deccan plateau, thereby becoming a significant structure in India's history. The high defense walls, curved staircases, and strategic location atop the mountain cliff in the Western Ghats made the fort almost impenetrable. This was one of the many reasons why Shivaji Maharaj stationed his troops in this fort for the lookout and as the first line of defense. At present, the fort offers a spectacular view of the Western Ghats, allowing adventure lovers to embark on trekking journeys along the nearby trails.

If you want to delve deep into the rich historical treasures of Maharashtra, Vishrambaug Wada is indeed one of the ideal heritage places in Pune to begin with. Sprawled over an area of 20,000 square feet, this complex provides a glimpse into Peshwa Bajirao II’s life. It is believed that along with Shanivar Wada, the Vishrambaug Wada was also his residence, where he used to live with his entire family during the Maratha empire. The major highlight of the Wada is the woodwork that adorns the entire stretch of the balcony, exuding the vibes of grandeur and regality from every orifice.

Dating back to the 8th century, it is believed that the Pataleshwar Cave Temple was carved out of a single basalt rock. It is dedicated to Lord Shiva and is considered one of the most popular destinations for locals and tourists alike in Pune. The inner sanctum at this temple houses a Linga, which is worshiped daily till date. You can pay your respects here and seek blessings during your trip. One look at the temple's architecture, and you will realize the complex still needs to be completed, with the reason remaining unknown to everyone.

Located 41 Km from the city's centre, Purandar Fort is yet another gem on our list of historical places in and near Pune. It is the birthplace of Chhatrapati Shivaji’s heir, Sambhaji and also a witness to Shivaji's victory against the Bijapur Sultanate dynasty and the Mughals. This is why the place holds such a vital historical significance in southern India. Sitting atop the mountain at a height of 4500 meters from the sea level, the structure is divided into two levels. The lower level, or Machi, and the upper story, or Ballekilla, are adorned with temples dedicated to Purandeshwar and Lord Shiva. Additionally, the fort also offers spectacular views of the undulating Western Ghats and the dense green forest, ensuring you can have an ethereal experience on your trip.

Constructed in 1630 by Chhatrapati Shivaji’s father, Shahaji Bhosle, Lal Mahal is a famous historical destination in Pune. It is believed that Shivaji spent his childhood at this palace. Built with red-colored bricks, the entire structure exudes a regal aura. What’s more interesting is the unique designs of windows on the palace walls that offered perfect views of the exterior.

With the roots of origin dating back to 250 years, Parvati Hill is a popular tourist spot in Pune. It was constructed in the 17th century and houses the main temple complex dedicated to numerous deities, including Lord Ganesha, Lord Karthikeya, Devateshwar, and Goddess Parvati. Once you reach the hilltop, you will be welcomed with a mesmerizing view of the Western Ghats and the surrounding valley covered with lush green forest. However, you need to climb 103 steps to reach the vantage point from where the panoramic scenery of the entire city of Pune can be viewed. Apart from the main temple complex, the hilltop also has the Parvati Museum, where you will come across old and rare manuscripts, artifacts from the Maratha empire, and coins belonging to the bygone era.

Tung Fort, or Kathingad Fort, is one of the best historical monuments in Pune, worthy of exploring. It derives its name from the conical architecture and steep stairs carved along a vertical mountain cliff in the Ghats, thereby proving to be quite tricky for the ascent. Although rulers from the Adil Shahi empire constructed the Tung Fort in the 17th century, it gained its importance after Chhatrapati Shivaji acquired the fort and used it as a watchtower for the Maratha empire since then. Besides marveling at the rugged beauty of the terrain and the exquisite architecture, you can also explore the Tungwadi village, accessible via a descent of 300 meters.

Perched atop 3028 feet from the sea level, the Korigad Fort is often considered as an ideal vantage point for trekking and adventurous activities near Pune. Inside the premises are numerous small temples dedicated to Korai Devi, a local deity and Lord Vishnu and Shiva. One of the major highlights of this humongous structure is the 2 Km defender wall surrounding the main complex. It is kept open to the public, and a stroll along the wall will give you enchanting views of the surrounding ghats, which are covered by lush green forests. Also, the fort houses six cannons on the premises, the largest of which is named Laxmi Toph.

These are some well known monuments in Pune which are sure to give you a reflection of Deccan’s rich and unblemished history. Truth be told, there are many other historic locations in almost every alley of the city that are waiting to come under the limelight. So, plan your itinerary in a way you can cover these above-mentioned spots along with the places that you can know more about from the locals.

Besides, if you don’t have your hotel booking yet, you need not to worry because you can now book Bloom Hotels in Pune, grab up to 15% discount and ensure a seamless trip. Bloom offers an awesome stay experience and to elevate your stay experience further, Bloom has an incredible in-house restaurant that caters to everyone’s cravings, serving delicious dishes. The expert chefs bring Taste to its core in every dish prepared here.

So hurry up & plan your trip to pune today, for an inspiring experience!