Ancient and Modern Intermingle in Pune as a place where academics and business intermingle with history.

Pune (pronounced Poona) is a most interesting place you can visit during your India tour.  The town fell to the British in 1817 and was their alternative capital when the monsoons became too much to handle.  Many Maharajas had palaces here over the years to take advantage of the cooler climate.

Situated in Maharashtra it is the second largest city in the state and has the esteemed position of being considered the cultural capital of the state.  There is a large student population which makes for a vivid night life and brilliant atmosphere.  Home to some fantastic restaurants, great museums and stunning hill forts with brilliant birds eye views make for a memorable and worthwhile trip.

Pune has a long history reaching back over 1600 years.  The Pataleshwar caves are evidence of this being 5^th century examples of Punes settlement.

Student town Pune

Pune is often referred to as the “Oxford of the east” as Pune is a university town.  There are many colleges and institutions of higher learning here.  Students come from all over the country to learn everything from Engineering to Medicine, arts, or sciences.  In fact Pune has the single most variety of students studying varying subjects.  Pune even has enough pull to attract students from around the world.  Pune is thanks to the students a wonderful and vibrant city that oozes a charm that may be lost on some.

Economy in Pune

Thanks largely to the many colleges and institutions Pune is emerging as a prominent location for setting up IT and Manufacturing companies.  It has a prominent automotive sector with several major automotive companies being present.  India’s largest engineering conglomerate is also visible in Pune under the Kirloskar group.  The IT sector in Pune employs over 70000 people and major software companies in Pune include Infosys, wipro, and IBM Global.

Pune culture

Touted as the cultural capital of Maharashtra it is undoubtedly the epitome of the Marathi culture.  Laying an emphasis on education, arts, crafts, music and theatre the Pune culture shows a blend of the traditional and the modern.

The city boasts an active nightlife, and cultural calendar.  The cuisine hints ate garlic and coconut and much use of chillies.  Sorghum and millet are the main starches found in traditional Pune food.

The city metropolitan area has retained its charm over the years with its old Marathi neighborhoods and educational academic centers.

The Sawai Gandarva Sangett Mahotsav is one of the most prominent classical music festivals of India and is held in Pune every December.

Attractions for tourists

When travelling to Pune some of the areas of interest for tourists would be Aga Khan Palace, Pataleshwar Cave temple, Chaturdhingi Temple, Rajiv Gandhi Zoological Park, The national War Memorial southern command, Sinhagad Fort, Empress Gardens and many more.