Pune general info

Area	13.9 sq. km.
Altitude	559 m above sea level.
Temperature	Summer : Max 40ºC, Min 20ºC. Winter : Max 29ºC, Min 8ºC.
Rainfall	Average 30 inch.
Languages	Marathi, Hindi and English.

Pune introduction

Pune is Maharashtra's second city, which lies close to the Western Ghat Mountains, on the edge of the Deccan plains as they stretch away to the east. Pune is the cultural capital of the Maratha people, which is also known as the "Queen of the Deccan". Pune is a contrast of history and modernism. Pune is considered as the Oxford of India - with its many educational and research institutions apart from other institutions for sports, yoga, ayurveda, culture and social services.Pune is nowadays also seen as a potential city for massive growth of Information Technology.

Pune history

The city was one of the pivotal bases of the 17th century Maratha ruler Chhatrapati Shivaji, who was born at the Shivneri Fort here. Pune became the seat of the enterprising Peshwas, under whom Maratha power rose into a major political force. The Peshwas were renowned patrons of the arts and in their time, enriched the city with temples, gardens and educational institutions. After the Battle of Koregaon in 1818, Pune fell into the hands of the East India Company. It was here that Lokmanya Bal Gangadhar Tilak introduced the principle of Swadeshi during the Freedom Movement. The British proposed to transform the city into a 'monsoon capital' but instead developed it into a 19th century Indian army town and renamed it Poona.

Pune festivals

The festivals which are celebrated in Pune are:-

The Ganesh Festival :- Lord Ganesh, the patron deity of Maharashtra, is the God of wisdom. The 11-day festival begins with the installation of beautifully sculpted Ganesh idols in homes and mandaps, colorfully decorated, depicting religious themes or current events. People take Ganesh idols in procession to the accompaniment of music and dance for immersion in the sea or nearby river or lake on the 11th day.

Diwali Festival :- The most beautiful of all Indian festivals, Diwali is a celebration of lights. The Diwali night in particular is a delightful feast to watch. On the same night "Laxmi Poojan" is held and the Goddess is venerated. Legend has it that Laxmi the Goddess of wealth visits all the houses hence all the houses are well-lighted and kept open. Diwali also ushers the" Hindu New Year".

Holi :- Each year, after a successful winter harvest, people get ready to welcome the spring with Holi - the festival of colors. Brightly colored powders are applied on faces, and there is plenty of music, dance and sweets to fill the rest of the day. The exuberant display of colors symbolizes the advent of a colorful and prosperous spring season.

Pune best season

Pune could be visited through out the year. The climate is absolute for traveling. In summer cotton clothes and in winters light cotton are advised.