Shaniwar Wada
Wadas came into existence during the reign of the Peshwas. Wada 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, the seven-storey-high Shaniwar Wada has now become a picnic spot for the Puneites. Built in the year 1730 by the first Bajirao Peshwa, the Wada has been a silent spectator to the lives of the Peshwas. The magnificent Dilli Darwaza marks the entrance of the Wada. 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. 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.

Address : Shaniwar Wada, Kasba Peth, Pune - 411 030
Timings : 8 am to 5 pm. Free Entry.

Aga Khan Palace
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.

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.

Snake Park
On the outskirts of Pune city, 20 km away from the railway station, is the Pune Snake Park, set up in the year 1986 by Mr. Neelim Kumar Khaire, a renowned naturalist, and later incorporated in the Rajeev Gandhi Udyan in 1999, the Pune Snake Park is one of the reputed zoos in India comprising about 300-350 snakes of 40 different species.

The park is an artificial habitat for not just snakes but also for various other wild animals like the leopard, the deer and other reptiles as well. Mr. Neelim Kumar Khaire, the director of the Snake Park, has provided shelter for various other wild life like the Civet Cats, the Sparrow Hawk and the Sinerus Vulture (sparingly seen in India).

The park remains open from 10:30 in the morning till 5:30 in the evening seven days a week and people spend their time submerged in nature at just a cost of Rs. 3 per adult and Rs. 2 per child.

Address: Katraj Snake Park, Pune Satara Road, Dhankavdi, Pune 411 043
Timings: 10 30 am to 5 30 pm; Seven days a week.

National War Memorial
The Pune War memorial is the result of efforts of the citizens of the city who pay a unique homage to those who laid down their lives. The National War memorial is built at the Morvada Junction. On the walls of the memorial, you will find the names of the around 1200 martyrs from the state who have laid down their lives in various operations after Independence.

The idea of the National War Memorial was first mooted in 1996. This was on the occasion of the Silver Jubilee of India's Victory in the Bangladesh war. The citizens of Pune, under the aegis of the Express Citizens' Forum, set up the War Memorial fund. The committee asked the citizens of the city to contribute to the fund. From the ordinary common citizen to the Big corporates, all joined in this citizens' tribute to the men who laid down their lives.

The Foundation of the memorial was laid in November 1997 and inaugurated in October 1998. The uniqueness of this war memorial is that it is the first of its kind in Post independent India. Before this, most of the memorials were pre- Independence or were a tribute to the memory of a particular regiment or arm of the three services.

The memorial, a 25-foot stone pillar, is surrounded on three sides by plaques of stone. Each stone plaque has the names of all the soldiers, airmen and sailors who have laid down their lives in the defense of the motherland since independence. At the moment there are almost 1200 names that are inscribed on the walls. Enough space has been left, for any new inscriptions on the monument.

At the moment, there is a proposal to have books on the side of the main pillar, which will contain the names of martyrs from the rest of the country.

Bund Gardens
Constructed by Sir Jamshedji Jeejabhoy, the garden, also known as the Mahatma Gandhi Udyan is situated on the banks of the Mula Mutha river, a few kilometers away from the Pune Railway Station. The garden is a popular place for visitors to take a leisurely stroll or enjoy a boat ride.

Empress Garden
The botanical garden is spread over a large area in the heart of the Pune Cantonment, very close to the Pune Race Course. The center-stage of the garden holds a lotus pond, which has the statue of Queen Victoria. The Empress Garden has pretty lawns and well laid out benches and is a hot picnic spot. The garden has a small restaurant, which serves snacks and cold drinks. 
The Empress Garden is open on all days (except Fridays) between 8.30 am and 7 pm. 
Entry per person is Rs. 5. The rate for car parking is Rs.10.

National Defence Academy
The National Defence Academy is a premier Inter Service training institution where future officers of the Armed Forces are trained. The training involves an exacting schedule of three years before the cadets join their respective service academies, viz.,. Indian Military Academy, Naval Academy and Air Force Academy. All the cadets joining the NDA after their 10+2 Examination, are trained in the Academy for three years culminating into graduation in B.A/B.Sc. or B. Sc. (Computer Science) degree of Jawaharlal Nehru University. Apart from academic training they are also trained in outdoor skills, like Drill, PT and games. Vast array of facilities like spacious and well-maintained classrooms, well-equipped labs, two Olympic size swimming pools, a gymnasium, 32 football grounds, polo grounds, a cricket stadium and a number of squash and tennis courts. The academic year is divided into two terms, viz., Spring Term (January to May ) and Autumn Term (July to December). The must see for every visitor is the bi yearly passing out parade, held in June and December. However all visitors are requested to contact either the Commandant or the Colonel - Administration before planning a visit to the academy.

Pataleshwar Temple
In the heart of the city, on Jangli Maharaj Road is the Pataleshwar temple. This rock cut Shiva Temple probably dates back to the eighth century. A very peaceful place.

Kasba Ganapati
Located in the heart of the city, the Kasba Ganapati holds the honour of being the first Ganapati in the city. Established in the year 1636 by Shivaji, the temple was further improved by the Peshwas.

With diamonds studded in the place of its eyes and a manik, a gem, studded in its navel, the idol has a very unique and pleasing appearance. Enclosed in silver castings, the idol looks very bright and appealing. Though situated in the noisy and crowded area, the temple still gives the disciples solace and quietude.

The day in this temple begins with Kakad Aarati, a religious recital for waking up the Ganapati around 6 am, followed by the deity's bath. On Sankashti and Angaarki Chaturthis, the two auspicious days of the Hindu calendar, the deity is bathed in Sindoor in a ritualistic bath called the Abhyanga Snaan, after which there is another Aarati performed in praise of God and the offerings are given.

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