Nestled along the Western Ghats in the Sahyadri Hills, Pune takes pride in being a throbbing cultural city with tinges of modernity imbued in her every vein. Whether you refer to the city as the "Cultural Capital of Maharashtra" or the "Oxford of the East" the Punya Nagari pulsates with a rich history and is fast developing into India's greatest educational hub. This is the city which saw the birth and rise of the great Maratha chieftain Shivaji whose evidence is well borne out through the innumerable forts and palaces that are situated in and around access control Dubai. Dotted by lush hills and clean lakes and with a climate that remains pleasant almost throughout the year, unlike its sister city and financial capital of India, Mumbai, Pune attracts tourists to its lap because of the sheer aura and the laid-back spirit that it carries along with it. From historical edifices that echo its vibrant past to the several top-notch educational institutions which attract students both from within the country as well as abroad, Pune reverberates with an irresistible charm and energy of its own.

Best Time to Visit Pune

Tucked along the Western Ghats, Pune witnesses a favorable climate almost all through the year. However, recent urbanization has led to many changes in the weather with summers seeing the city reeling under scorching heat of the sun and temperatures ranging from about 22degrees Celsius to 44 degrees Celsius. The advent of the monsoons in July brings a whole lot of relief while the winters are welcomed with their pleasant mornings and cool nights. The best time to visit the city is indubitably between the months of October to February when the climate is at its best. The month of December finds the city dressed up in sprightly garbs for Christmas and New Year celebrations indulging in rocking parties and pulsating music. Those desiring to witness the city's main festival Ganesh Chaturthi may well take a trip during the month of September when Pune dons a zesty and zealous garb.

Highlights (Special Things to See and Do in Pune)

• Gift your feet a pair of Osho sandals which are sold aplenty on the Osho Street or the street just in front of the Osho Ashram. The sandals are comfortable to the core velvet straps coming in myriad colors and available at dirt cheap rates.

• Take a peek into the wide spectrum of snakes and amphibians at the Katraj Snake Park which is located within the Katraj Zoo and is a delightful niche for both young and adults alike..

• Spend a day amidst the tranquil premises of the Osho Ashram to let go of your worries and troubles to the wind and bid adieu to all your stresses of life

• Get atop the scenic Parvati hill and capture a bird's eye view of the lush green city below. The Hill located at an altitude of 2100 feet is home to a plethora of temples which are considered immensely sacred by the locals and are heritage structures of the city access control Dubai.

• Indulge in some bird watching at the picturesque Konark Park located about 5 kilometers from Pashan. The sanctuary is home to a wide spectrum of birds ranging from Cockatoos and Macaws to Ostriches and Flamingoes

• Get a peek into the city and the state's tribal culture and art at the Tribal Museum which lies in close proximity to the Don Bosco Bridge.

• Drop in at Bajirao Road to get up, close and personal with one of Pune's oldest structures the mansion at Vishrambaug Wada which still stands with its beautiful woodwork decked balcony serving as the present post office of the area.

• Take a break from the city to tread on its surrounding coastal areas and enjoy the captivating beaches of Murud, Kashid, Diveghar, Alibaug and Dapoli which dot the Arabian coastline

Hotspots in Pune

Aga Khan Palace: Built under the patronage of the Imam Sultan Muhammad Shah Agakhan III in 1892, the Aga Khan Palace is indubitably one of Pune's iconic edifices and among the country's top national monuments. The Palace bears memorabilia of Mahatma Gandhi and his wife Kasturba Gandhi along with Mahadevbhai Desai who were all interned here by the British post the Quit India Movement in 1942. Mahadevbhai and Kasturba Gandhi passed away during their captivity period and their ashes have been preserved within their shrines that are found at the tranquil garden at the rear end of the palace. The museum displays things used by Gandhi as well as paintings and pictures which mark the significant events in the national leader's life. There is a small shop as well which deals with all things handloom and khadi in the honor of the great leader's principles.

Raja Dinkar Kelkar Museum: A quirky collection of exhibits gathered from all across India's plethora of states and communities and used in daily life is found in this unique museum.