Pune is one of the most popular cities in India situated at the confluence of Mula and Mutha Rivers. Pune is the 8th largest metropolis in India and the second largest city in Maharashtra. It is also considered an important city in terms of its economic and industrial importance. Situated at an altitude of 560 m, Pune is among popular Tourist places in Maharashtra.
Sinhagad Fort
Sinhagad, Sinhgarh, or Sinhgad, is a fortress located roughly 30 kilometres southwest of the city of Pune, India. Previously called Kondhana, the fort has been the site of many important battles, most notably the Battle of Sinhagad in 1671. It was also strategically located at the centre of a string of other forts such as Rajgad, Purandar and Torna.
Panshet Dam
Panshet Dam, also called Tanajisagar Dam, is a dam on the Ambi river about 50 km southwest of the city of Pune in western India. The dam was constructed in late 1950s for irrigation and, along with three other dams nearby, Varasgaon, Temghar and Khadakwasla, it supplies drinking water to Pune. Panshet Dam burst in its first year of storing water on 12 July 1961, when the dam wall burst, because of the total absence of mandatory reinforced cement concrete strengthening, causing massive flooding in Pune. An estimated 1,000 people died from the resulting flood.
Ranjangaon Maha Ganapati Mandir
Ranjangaon Ganpati is one among the Ashtavinayak, celebrating eight instances of legends related to Ganesha. This Temple Ganpati Idol was inaugurated and donated by “Khollam “ Family one of the Gold Smith Family in Ranjangaon. According to the history the temple was built in between 9th and 10th century. Madhavrao Peshwa made a room in the basement of the temple to keep the idol of the lord Ganesh. Later on Sardar Kibe of Indore renovated it. Nagarkhana is situated above the entrance gate. Main temple looks like temple from Peshwa’s period. Temple facing east has huge & beautiful entrance gate. You will be surprised to know that the idol of these lord Ganesh is also named as ‘Mahotkat’, and it is said that the idol has 10 trunks and 20 hands. While going from the Pune — Nagar highway the route is Pune — Koregaon — then via Shikrapur; Rajangaon is 21 km before Shirur. From Pune it is 50 km.
Bhuleshwar Temple
Bhuleshwar is a Hindu temple of Shiva, situated around 45 kilometres from Pune and 10km from Pune Solapur highway from Yawat. The temple is situated on a hill and was built in the 13th century.The temple is unique as its architecture is Islamic from outside and appears more as a mosque than a temple due to its resemblance of circular tomb and minarets. The reason for this unique design is said to be done to protect the temple from being destroyed by invaders. There are classical carvings on the walls. It has been declared as a protected monument.
Mulshi Dam
Mulshi is the name of a major dam built across the Mula River located in Mulshi Taluk of Pune district in Maharashtra. Flanked by the deep forests of Sahyadri ranges, Mulshi Dam is among the most visited places near Pune. Mulshi Lake is formed in the catchment area of Mulshi dam and is primarily a tourist attraction near Pune. It attracts several visitors during monsoon season. The dam was constructed in 1927 AD, however, commercialization of the place has been done recently. The water from Mulshi Dam is used to produce electricity at the Bhira Hydroelectric plant, operated by Tata Power. Mulshi Dam is one of the most important electricity generating plants in Maharashtra. It is indeed the source which supplies the maximum electric power to Mumbai. Water from this dam is even used for irrigation purposes.
Tikona Fort
Tikona is the dominant hill fort in Maval in western India. It is located near Kamshet around 60 km from Pune. The village nearest to the fort is called Tikona-Peth. The 3500 ft high hill is pyramidal in shape and the name Tikona means “triangle”. The fort is a trekking destination noted for the large doors, the temple of ‘Trimbakeshwar Mahadev’, a water tanks (seven water tanks) and some Satvahan caves. Trek organisers also commend the views of Pawna dam and the nearby forts of Tung, Lohagad and Visapur. There is Pawana lake at the summit. The fort is one of the top places for trekking near Pune and also one of the popular tourist places near Pune & Mumbai for day trip. Renowned as Vitandgad Fort, Tikona Fort is located at an altitude of 3633 feet above sea level.
Rajgad Fort
Rajgad is one of the forts in the Pune district of Maharashtra state in India. The fort is around 1,400 m above sea level. Formerly known as Murumdev, it was capital of the Maratha Empire during the rule of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj for almost 26 years, after which he moved the capital to Raigad Fort. Treasure found at an adjacent fort was used to fortify this hill. The diameter of the fort at the base is 40 km making it difficult for anybody to lay siege to it, adding to its strategic value.
Lohagad Fort
Lohagad is one of the many hill forts of Maharashtra state in India. Situated close to the hill station Lonavala and 52 km northwest of Pune, Lohagad rises to an elevation of 1,033 m (3,389 ft) above sea level. The fort is connected to the neighboring Visapur fort by a small range. The fort was under the Maratha empire for the majority of time, with a short period of 5 years under the Mughal empire. It is one of the best places to visit in Lonavala and also one of the popular historical places in Maharashtra. Perched atop a hillock at an altitude of 1050 m, the fort separates the Indrayani basin from the Pawna basin. It is also among the popular trekking places to visit near Pune & Mumbai.
Kune Falls
Kune Falls is a scenic waterfall situated near Kune village in Pune district of Maharashtra. It is one of the famous waterfalls in Maharashtra and also one of the best places to visit in Lonavala. Kune Falls lies at an altitude of 622 m set against the stunning backdrop of the famous Sahyadri Mountains. It is a three-tiered waterfall cascading down from a height of 200 m and is among popular tourist places near Pune and one of the best waterfalls near Mumbai. The waterfall is divided into 2 sections and the highest drop at this three-tier waterfall is of about 100 m. The Kune Falls is the 14th highest waterfall in India and is located centrally within the Lonavala-Khandala valley. The place is completely surrounded by lush green vegetation and provides a great visual experience.
Khandala
Khandala is a hill station in the Western Ghats in the state of Maharashtra, India, about 3 kilometres (1.9 mi) from Lonavala and 7 kilometres from Karjat. Khandala is located at one end the Bhor Ghat, a major ghat on the road link between the Deccan Plateau and the Konkan plain. The ghat carries an extensive amount of road and rail traffic. The Mumbai-Pune Expressway, the main link between the major cities of Mumbai and Pune, passes through Khandala. Due to the ease of accessibility from nearby cities, Khandala is a common area for hiking. One destination is the nearby peak of Duke’s Nose, which offers a panoramic view of Khandala and the Bhor Ghat. The route near Khandala sunset point and khopoli has been there since centuries used to connect the coastal cities like Sopara to Pune. The transport from base of khopoli was by carts both hand pulled and horse drawn, which was tarred during British time somewhere in 1840. Khandala is among popular weekend getaways near Mumbai & Pune and also one of the best hill stations near Pune & Mumbai.
Bhaja Caves
Bhaja Caves or Bhaje caves is a group of 22 rock-cut caves dating back to the 2nd century BC located in Pune, near Lonavala, Maharashtra. The caves are 400 feet above the village of Bhaja, on an important ancient trade route running from the Arabian Sea eastward into the Deccan Plateau. The inscriptions and the cave temple are protected as a National Monument, by the Archaeological Survey of India per Notification №2407-A. It belongs to the Hinayana Buddhism sect in Maharashtra. The caves have a number of stupas, one of their significant features. The most prominent excavation is its chaityagrha, demonstrating prototypes of wooden architecture and a vaulted horseshoe ceiling. Its vihara has a pillared verandah in front and is adorned with unique reliefs. These caves are notable for their indications of the awareness of wooden architecture.
Korigad Fort
Korigad is a hill fort located about 20 km south of Lonavla in Pune district, Maharashtra, India. Its date of construction is not known but likely predates 1500. It is about 923 m above sea level. The planned township of Aamby Valley is built over the fort’s southern and eastern foothills. The closest village is Peth Shahpur, about 1 km north of the fort. This fort was forcibly taken over into his kingdom by Chhatrapati Shivaji along with the forts of Lohagad, Visapur, Tung and Tikona in 1657. On March 11, 1818, Colonel Prother tried to take over this fort but even after a prolonged siege could not make any headway. Finally on 14 March, by igniting the stored ammunition by means of a loose cannonball he succeeded and this fort went to the British.
Dhom Dam
Dhom Dam is an earthfill and gravity dam built on Krishna River near Wai in Satara district of Maharashtra. It is one of the well known picnic spots near Pune for one day trip. The construction of the dam was started in 1976 and completed in 1982. It is one of the largest civil engineering projects in India at that time and also the first dam to be built on Krishna River in Maharashtra. The main purpose of the construction of the Dhom dam was to ensure adequate water supply for industries in the region, for agricultural activities and to supply potable drinking water to the populace of Panchgani, Mahabaleshwar and Wai regions which lie in the vicinity of the dam. The dam is also the chief source of water supply for farmers of Koregaon, Javli and Khandala taluks of Satara.