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| Shaniwar
Wada... symbolizing Pune! |
Be it Saturday or Sunday, for Puneites Shaniwar Wada is always
a place of fun and gay.
The concept of Wadas is very unique to Maharashtra
and Pune is no exception! Wadas came into existence
during the reign of the Peshwas. But what exactly
is a Wada? Well, simply put, it is an area enclosed
by walls housing several rooms to live in,  courtyards
and water tanks, and is almost a small housing complex
in itself! These Wadas served as the residence of
the Peshwas and Shaniwar Wada was one of them. In
fact, Maratha culture depicts this Wada as one of
its important landmarks. Located in Kasba Peth,
at a stone's throw from the recently rebuilt Lal
Mahal where Shivaji grew up, the seven-storey-high
Shaniwar Wada has now become a picnic spot for the
Puneites. All the schools of Pune invariably arrange
a one-day trip every year to this place, thus getting
an insight of the Maratha history along with a bit
of fun. Built in the year 1730 by the first Bajirao
Peshwa, the Wada has been a silent spectator to
the lives of the Peshwas. The walls of the Wada
speak volumes about the tragedies undergone by the
people who lived here. The murder of Narayanrao,
the suicide of Sawai Madhavrao and several unaccountable
deaths of Maratha warriors, the Wada has seen it
all. The magnificent Dilli Darwaza marks the entrance
of the Wada. If one expected something equally magnificent
inside, the interiors disappoint. There seems to
be nothing except for plants rambling on the old
stonewalls! One can only speculate about the rich
lifestyle led by the Peshwas. Of course the imposing
facades and impregnable fortifications are still
so prominent that a person cannot have doubts about
the strength they once possessed. Visitors can still
walk along the castle ramparts and get the feel
of the fort. Mastani, the courtesan and the mistress
of the Bajirao was said to have not only a special
place in his heart but also a place - the Mastani
Mahal: Its ruins are still to be seen in the Wada.
The exquisitely engraved arches, the splendid Ganesh
Darwaza and the impressively built Ganesh Rangmahal
which became the hall of justice, are definitely
worth taking a look at. Thanks to the Archeological
Survey of India for having preserved this historical
monument!
Address:
Shaniwar
Wada, Kasba Peth, Pune 411 030
Timings:
8
am to 5 pm. Free Entry.
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Aga
Khan Palace
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The gracious building with salons and suites standing
amidst well laid out gardens is more than just a
palace. It is a historical landmark. During the
1942 Quit India Movement, Mahatma Gandhi and other
leaders of the Indian National Congress were imprisoned
here.  The
palace became famous when after the Quit India Resolution
was passed in 1942, Mahatma Gandhi and his wife
Kasturba were incarcerated here. It was here that
both Gandhiji’s wife Kasturba and secretary Mahadeobhai
Desai died. Their simple but beautiful samadhis
or memorials designed by the famous architect Charles
Correa are a must see for every tourist who goes
there. The palace is now officially designated as
the Gandhi Memorial and one can find artifacts and
photos depicting the life of the Mahatma. The palace
is located on the Pune Nagar Highway about 7 kilometers
from the Pune Railway station. The Aga Khan Palace
was built as an act of charity to provide employment
for the famine affected people of Pune. The place
is open on all working days except national holidays.
The entry fee for adults is Rs. 5 and children Rs.
2.
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Shinde Chhatri |
Among the architectural sights you shouldn’t miss
is the memorial to the Great Mahadji Shinde. You
can see the warrior’s painted likeness in silver,
swathed in a flame coloured turban and an elaborately
worked shawl.  At
his feet are his original puja vessels, used to
propitiate his family deity each morning. A painted
sign requests you not to open an umbrella within
the Chhatri’s precincts as it would be insulting
to the great warrior’s memory. This monument was
built as a tribute to the great Maratha nobleman
Mahadji Shinde who was the Commander-in-chief of
the Maratha Army under the Peshwas. |
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| Places of interest in
Pune |
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| Places of Religious
Interest |
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