| Raja
Dinkar Kelkar Museum |
One of the most fascinating places in Pune, this
impressive museum holds a single individual's incredibly
vast collection of paintings, musical instruments,
crafts, antique furniture and many quaint curios.
Also exhibited, is a wide range of nutcrackers lamps,
footscrapers and other age-old items of interest.
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| Vishrambag
Wada |
True to its name, the Vishrambag Wada was built
for  the
‘vishram’ (relaxation) of Peshwa Bajirao II. The
wada was built so that the Peshwa could enjoy dance
and music. The wada has a large dancing hall, which
still houses a large number of artifacts ranging
from paintings, chandeliers, vases and other knick-knacks
belonging to the Peshwas.Vishrambag Wada now houses
a large number of government offices.
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| Saras
Baug |
A popular place for a family outing, the garden
houses a Ganesh temple on a small hillock in the
centre of the park. The lit fountains add to the
attraction, with people thronging the place for
a stroll.
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| University
of Poona |
The University of Poona is located on acres and
acres of land.  The
main building in Italian-Gothic style, built with
the local grey trap rock, is surrounded by a high
square tower (30 metres high), a swimming pool and
well kept lawns. The seat of education in Pune,
also known as the Oxford of the east, has students
from all over the world enrolled for the large number
of courses it offers. The world famous Inter-University
Centre for Astronomy and Astrophysics (IUCAA ) is
on the university campus.
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| The
Fire temple |
A Fire temple or Agiary
is the place of worship of the Zoroastrian inhabitants.
Erected by Sir Jamsetjee Jeejeebhoy in 1844, the
Fire Temple in Pune is situated along the Dastur
Meher Road, which was once known as Agiary Street.
The temple has the Atesh Adaran Saheb (the
Holy Fire and Sacred Holy Book) enthroned in it.
According to the rites and ceremonies pr escribed
by the true Mazatayasni religion and assembled
by the Anjooman or Parsee community, on the 9th
November 1844 of the Christian era, the Holy Fire
was lit in this place, and the flame has never
been extinguished since.
In front of the temple
is a fountain in a triangular enclosure. This
was also erected by Sir Jamsetjee as a reservoir
to provide a never-failing water supply for Pune.
The temple is situated amidst cypress trees. Even
as far back as 1860, these trees were a subject
of comment. These trees are always planted around
any fire temple as monuments of the greatness
of Zoroaster, who is said to have brought the
cypress down to earth from heaven in a silver
palanquin.
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