Skip to main content

Discover The Pune You Thought You Knew

Where in Pune can you rent out a petromax lamp? Discover relics like this and let the city you thought you knew take you back in time...

Sometimes it is interesting how well you think you know your city and then you take a second and closer look at the same roads and streets you pass by everyday, only for it to reveal something new to you. It has been years since my family goes grocery shopping to the historic Shivaji Market. Noisy fruit, vegetable and meat vendors sell their produce from under a crippling 150-year old grey structure. But seldom have I raised my head up to notice the building and spare a moment to wonder how majestic it would have looked when it was first built. 


Shivaji Market
We are so consumed in our day to day routines, we forget to take the time out to observe what's around us. I pass by the Council Hall every day to and fro my office but have never tilted my head in its direction. I take the left turn from the towering Lal Deval daily to get home but I shy in admitting that to me that structure has been nothing but a landmark when I share directions. Quite a tragedy. But this one, like many other heritage buildings have lived for decades and have unique stories to tell.


Lal Deval a.k.a. Ohel David Synagogue
So it filled me with immense gratitude when I found out about the upcoming Pune Heritage Festival (13th - 20th April 2014) organized by Virasat Pune (initiated by Janwani - supported by the Pune Muncipal Corporation). These eight days will see an average of five different events each day which open the window to the city's rich culture and history. 


The Council Hall
With a guided walk, go back to 1746 in the era of Peshwa Baji Rao when the Shaniwar Wada palace fort was built. Listen to the flora talk at the 'Tree Walk' at Kamala Nehru Park. Get that dusty cycle out from your garage and participate in a Heritage Cycle Ride or get walking with the INTACH team around the heritage Cantonment area. Always wanted to see the birthplace of the best film artists of our country - Film Television Institute of India but never got the chance to? Sign up for the FTII Campus Tour with Anil Zankar (professor and film maker). If you dreamed of participating in a food version of The Amazing Race, you have your chance with the Pune Food Hunt event. We have all got them jingling in our wallets, but learn to really value them with a coins and currency identification activity 'Know Your Coins'. Join in on the Pune Heritage Walk to discover why the Tourism Ministry honoured it as the Best Heritage Walk in our country. If you've got a two-wheeler, then ride along the 'Freedom Fighter Trail'.


Film and Television Institute of India
These are just some of the events planned. Dance, martial arts, old books, there is a lot more to look forward to! Registrations are simple and what's more, the good folks at Janwani have made participation at most of the events absolutely free. Just visit www.virasatpune.com

The city you live in becomes more interesting if you look at it from the eyes of a traveller. I have come to believe that if you yearn to travel and discover, start with your city first. See you at the Pune Heritage Festival!

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

INSIDE THE GO CHEESE FACTORY

Last weekend, I got a unique opportunity to visit Gowardhan Cheese Factory in Manchar district, a good two hour drive from Pune city. The owning home-grown company Parag Milk Foods brand portfolio includes Gowardhan and GO boasting of a range of dairy products that have been retailed across Mumbai and Pune over the last decade. I first started using their yoghurt when the local kirana store ran out of my usual preference of Amul , Danone and Britannia . One spoon of it and I instantly found it so fresh, light and 'unprocessed'. I have always loved cheese but now I even prefer it over chocolate. So when I was scheduled to visit the GO factory, it bore semblance to winning the golden ticket and entering glistening gates to its factory much like the popular Roald Dahl 's  Charlie . Except that it was not all that dramatic! 

An Immersive Stay at Andaz Amsterdam

I have stayed at some great hotels, but none were like the Andaz Amsterdam . None of them. No hotel has impressed me as much as this Hyatt brand of hotel has. It's so good, it warrants an entire blog post. And here is why - right from the word check-in, you're really made to feel like you've stepped into a little slice of Amsterdam .  The hotel is located on one of the hottest streets in Amsterdam called Prinsengracht, a street along the city's most prestigious canal. A lot of the city's attractions are a short walk away. The hotel is designed by the famous Dutch designer Marcel Wanders . So no wonder hints of this vibrant old city of Amsterdam peek out from the interiors to induct you into Dutch culture. The lobby was stunning - with its prominently blue interiors, there was a touch of quirk everywhere. From the very high ceiling is suspended an enormous artsy lighting-cum-chandelier installation.  Above each reception desk there are huge white bell-shap

Restaurant Review | Where Else Cafe & Bar

Where Else promises to be unique in Viman Nagar, a neighbourhood already brimming with so many eateries.   Four young friends came together to put their love for food and travel experiences in a melting pot called ‘Where Else’. This new café and bar is the brainchild of sibling duo Ardesh and Daisy Rustomjee and best friend duo Amritha Shrikumar and Sweta Jobanputra. These Viman Nagar residents have been firsthand witnesses to the rise of new eateries in their locality. With ‘Where Else’ they aim to fill in the void of a place that offers all-day breakfast and good quality indulgent food. We drove to the outlet in its first week of opening to find out if ‘Where Else’ is the place to be.