Perched atop hilly terrains, Pune had its initiation in the earliest centuries, with the subsequent succession of major empires, trying to get hold of this picturesque place, calling it their own. Pune had played a crucial role during the rise of the Indian Mutiny against the British, the first ever flickering of Indian opposition against the oppressing Britishers. The most amazing fact about this place is that, though being an ideal cosmopolitan city today, Pune still withholds that cultural and heritage background, with which it had started long back.

Pune is the second largest city in the state of Maharashtra. Placed 560 metres above sea level on the Deccan plateau, at the convergence of the Mula and Mutha Rivers, it is the administrative capital of Pune district and the 8th most populous metropolitan area in India. The name Pune comes from Punya Nagari (standing for "City of Virtue" in Sanskrit). The oldest reference to this name is illustrated on a Rashtrakoota copper plate, dating back to 937, in which the town is referred to as Punya Vishaya or Punak Vishaya. By the 13th century, it had come to be known as Kasbe Pune or Punavadi (standing for "Town of Pune" in Marathi). During the 19th century, it was cited as Poona by British administrators. Since 1947, both spellings have been in effect, but Pune has prevailed for the last decade. In present times, one might say there are three Punes - the City, Deccan and the Camp - separated geographically as well as in flavour.

Geographical Location and Information of Pune - Pune is located 560 m (1837 ft) above sea level on the western fringe of the Deccan Plateau. It is situated on the leeward side of the Sahyadri mountain range (the Western Ghats), which separates it from the Arabian Sea. It is more or less a mountainous city, with its tallest hill rising to 800 m (2625 ft) above sea level. Central Pune is located at the convergence of the Mula and Mutha Rivers. The Pavana and Indrayani Rivers, tributaries of Bhima River, span the north-western peripheries of urban Pune. Its geographical co-ordinates are 18° 29` 45" North, 73° 47` 47" East. Pune faces pretty moderate temperatures. Summers commence from early March, staying on till July. Though not as scorching as Northern parts of India, the daytimes are immensely sunny with dry heat. Early mornings are pleasing and evenings after six feel comfortably cool and breezy. Temperatures range between 20°C to 40°C. On the other hand, Pune experiences a reasonable three months monsoon, from July-August till October. Temperatures range between 18-19°C to 30°C. The average annual rainfall calculated is 722 mm. Pune receives it winters from November to January. Though light woollens are okay during the day, early mornings, evenings ands nights require more garments, as it more cold. The day temperatures hover around 28°C, while the night sees it dropping to 10°C, or even 5°C.

History of Pune
The name of the Maratha valiant warrior Shivaji, comes up time and again, when one speaks about historical Pune. With an early beginning, the place has been a witness to many a conquests and people have laid down their life, defending their honour. Legtendary battles, comprising the Nizams, the Mughals, the Marathas, the Peshwas and finally the British can be seen illustrated in Pune`s rich yesteryears.

Arrival Information for Pune - Pune being a significant metropolitan today, it is exceedingly well connected with the other major parts of the country, by the three primary means of transport.

By air: Pune airport is situated in the Lohagaon area, around 10 km to the north-east of the city. Direct daily flights are available from the key cities of India,like Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Bangalore, Kolkata, Ahmedabad, Hyderabad and Goa. Airlines like Indian Airlines and Jet Airways operate within this network heavily.

By rail: Travelling to Pune by trains is pretty smooth, an excellent rail network connects the place with the rest of the country. The place is linked with Mumbai (170km), Nasik (209km), Aurangabad (230km), Chennai (1088km), Delhi and other important cities in India. The Shatabdi Express also runs between Mumbai and Pune. Another comfortable train is the Deccan Queen. Other trains from Mumbai to Pune are Pragati Express and Indrayani Express.

By road: Pune is well linked with almost all the primary cities of Maharashtra, as well as the rest of India, via the Naitonal Highways. Everyday private and government bus services are available from Mumbai and Nasik. Pune is also well connected through roads with Goa, Ahmedabad, Nagpur, Shirdi, Bangalore, Indore, Hyderabad and Aurangabad.

Accommodation in Pune - There is no dearth of staying alternatives in Pune. One can easily take their pick, depending on one`s disposition, budget and which area one wishes to focus on during the holiday. Le Meridien on RBM Road, Hotel Aurora Towers at 9 Moledina Road, The Oakwood on Bhandarkar Institute Road, Taj Blue Diamond are the premiere, star-hotel options complete with the luxuriant and extravagant options that one can splurge in. Some of them also are built in with night pubs and discotheques, for crowds wishing to have a taste of the breathtaking nightlife of Pune.

The major section of the mid-range hotels includes The Oakwood on Bhandarkar Institute Road, The Sagar Plaza on Burid Garden Road, Sun-n-Sand on Bund Garden Road, The President Hotel, on Prabhat Road, Hotel Woodland, Span Executive near Shivaji Nagar Station, Hotel Panchshil, Hotel Surya in Shivaji Nagar are the notable ones, equipped with the plush and alluring facilities, complete with bars, multi cuisine restaurants, coffee shops, banquet halls and other amenities that one can desire to indulge in.

Apart from these mentioned above, one can always try the colonial home, turned into a family-run hotel, Hotel Homeland, near the railway station. Hotel Meru, standing next to Hotel Woodland on the peaceful Ladkatwadi Road, possesses no restaurant, but one can always walk into Hotel Woodland. A low-priced place near the Deccan area is Hotel Chetak, but it provides lowly facilities. Hotel Ketan, on Ferguson College Road also comes under the same category.

Travel Guideline for Pune
The most excellent time to visit Pune is between the months of October to March. The months of April to July makes up the summer season and can be a bit ruthless, with the daytime temperatures surging as high as 40°C. From July till August-September, Pune goes through monsoons, which can ensue in high humidity. The remaining period of October to March makes up the high season for Pune travelling. During this time, weather is at its prime. However, one always needs to be cautious about one`s staple essentials, like health and monetary safety while touring outstation. The city is exceedingly well equipped with hospitals and emergency units to cater to a tourist`s overall ill-health. And a person in emergency need of cash also must not worry, due to Pune`s excellent chain of nationalised and privatised banks, ever ready to furnish visitors with ample money. A host of tour operators also functions from the city, travelling to all the major addresses near and around the pictorial city.

Tourist Spots in Pune
Pune with its baffling historical significances that have survived to this day, along with today`s metropolitan culture, perplexes everyone at first sight. The place has also divided itself into three distinct separations, housing three kinds of edifices and emoting dissimilar wonder from each. Temples, churches, mausoleums, synagogues, museums and several dynastic architectures are evidence to Pune`s distinctive wonders, pretty firsts in India.

Places around Pune
The spots in the adjacent places too necessitate attention and praise, standing imposing for centuries. Grandiloquence and magnificence are perhaps the only terms that can be used to describe them. The fortresses, hidden chambers, their interior temples and cryptic passageways makes one envision what exactly

Where to eat in Pune
Chitale Bandhu on Laxmi Road and in Deccan Gymkhana has earned its right to be a legend. It is actually quite common to see loyal locals lining up for their favourite baakarwadi - a spicy sesame-flavoured rolled snack. While a stay here, one can luxuriate in their legendary amba (mango) barfi, and softly flavoured shrikhand. Warm and fresh from the oven, the milky and absolutely soft butter-like Kayani`s Shrewsbury biscuits (off M.G. Road in Camp) are a huge hit with all age groups, making it the perfect gift from Pune.

Likewise, Royal is celebrated for its nut biscuits and Husseini, Naaz and Imperial for their breads, particularly the briin pav `Gopi at Sadashiv`. Peth offers some veritable non-vegetarian Maharshtrian array in its five-table overcrowded interiors. Their mutton fry is quite popular. Dreamland, opposite the railway station, dishes out lip-smacking Gujarati food. Aashirvaad, in the same area, has a wholesome khichdi-kadhi. Shreyas and Swarna Rekha, on Junglee Maharaj Road, serves genuine Maharashtrian food - made even more aromatic with the flavours of groundnut, cummin and asafoetida. The gently spiced chaas (buttermilk) made with black rock salt should not miss for any cause, or the regular table variety. Sabari, on the same road, has admirable, tangy Kolhapuri fare.

While passing through the Old City, Laxmi Narayan is the jaunt where one needs to halt to buy some mouthwatering cliivda (a sweet-salty `mixture` that relies on puffed rice, raisins, peanuts and shavings of dried coconut for its taste). Dorabjee and Sons, on Dastur Meher Road, one of the oldest and most famous restaurants in Pune deserves a prestigious mention for the finger-licking biryanis and chicken farchas they have retained since 113 years.

Finally, while strolling through the peths one can make a quick taste of sabudana vada (crisp, freshly fried sago snack) and missal (a medley of puffed rice and tangy savouries topped with diced raw onions). The matchless tomato bharta at the famous Coffee House in Camp is an in-house speciality. Their medu vadas (deep fried snack) must also be enjoyed. The hand-made kulfis of the tiny dairy shop called Shiv Kailash; opposite the railway station commands loyal foodies to come back again again.

Shopping in Pune
Pune has all the furnishings of a metropolitan city, so one can buy almost anything under the sun. However to experience a typical Maharashtrian, noisy market, it is best to head for Tulshibaug. One can have a look here for the traditional Maharashtrian pearl nose rings, necklaces and nine-yard saris called Nawari. These saris are also available on Laxmi Road. At Kala Niketan, on Jangli Maharaj Road, and Poona Sari Centre in Wonderland on M.G. Road, where a tourer will also find the chic Narayanpeth and Paithani saris. Bharatiya Cloth Centre at Daruwal also stacks a variety of saris.

The compact Deccan Gymkhana area trades anything from faux jewellery to electronic but the true treasures can be discovered in the Sunday bazaar held at the Juna Bazaar or the Old Market. From antique coins to door hinges, one can avail anything here. The specialty of Pune - red pottery is available in the roadside stalls and pavements, calling for a must-buy. Savitri next to Memorial Hall on Moledina Road hoards miscellaneous and unparalleled items. It was established by a zilla parishad officer and sells ethnic wares from close by districts.

For complete business listing of Pune visit Pune Yellowpages