Know your city
Pune, although not seen as a major tourist destination in India, has many other aspects which make it an interesting and vibrant city. Visiting Pune gives a very good idea of modern India, it has recently been promoted to India’s 8 th largest city and has the sixth largest metropolitan economy and the highest per capita income in India, with the least income disparity between the rich and poor.
Alongside the new there is the fascinating history of the area, with beautiful temples and caves, also the city was the largest military base for the British during the Raj and the architecture in the cantonment area is very evocative of the era. The majority of the old Cantonment land in the city is now occupied by the Indian Army for the housing of its garrisons and officers. The fact the Army refuses to sell land to property developers is a great bonus for the city as it means it keeps its wonderful low level buildings, wide boulevard style roads and lovely flowering grounds which gives it a very homely feel rather than becoming the concrete monstrosities that some Indian cities are now because of indiscriminate development.
Residents of Pune are referred to as Puneites, or as Punekars in the local language Marathi. Marathi is spoken extensively, while English is popular amidst the college-goers, white-collar professions and other cosmopolitan populace. Hindi is also widely spoken and understood. It has all the ingredients for a perfect gap year destination that balances the tradition with the modern.
History of the city
Pune derives its name from the Marathi language, ‘Punya Nagari’, or ‘the city of virtuous deeds’, given around 1000 A.D. It came under Mughal rule in the 17th century and until circa 1818, it continued to be ruled by various dynasties, especially the Nizamshahi Sultans, Mughals and Marathas. During the mid 17th century, it became the temporary residence of the Maratha King Shivaji. In 1749 A.D, it gained prominence as the capital of the Peshwa, and it was during this period that the city expanded considerably
Pune is inextricably linked to the life of the Maratha hero and king, Chhatrapati Shivaji. The era of Pune's fame began when Chhatrapati Shivaji came to stay here with his mother Jijabai in 1635-36. They lived in a mansion known as "Lal Mahal," a monument which is a must to visit for any gap year traveler to the city.
The city passed into British rule after the defeat of Marathas in the Battle of Ashti in 1818. Army bases established by the British on the outskirts of the city were later converted into cantonments of Pune and Khadki and the Pune Municipality was established in 1858.
Jawaharlal Nehru, India’s first Prime Minister after Independence from the British in 1947 named Pune ‘the Oxford of the East’, due to the well known academic and research institutions in the city and its popularity amongst students. The temperate climate of the city is responsible for the green campuses of many colleges, and the prevalent academic mindset amongst Punekars helps nurture research and higher education, giving the city a very young and vibrant culture that welcomes gap year travelers.
There is a long history of Horse Racing in Pune and it has a lovely and well used race course. Due to the climate there are a large number of breeding and training stables in the area and a couple of times a year the great and good of the equine world descend on Pune for the stock auctions. There is not a room to be found anywhere in the city and huge amounts of money change hands in these sales.
Business in the city
Pune is ideally placed in many ways to attract a diverse and well skilled economic population. As well as being close to Mumbai (only 3 hours away) with its huge numbers of young people there are many excellent education establishments in the city with four of India’s top Universities based in Pune ensuring a regular supply of students that bring a youth and vibrancy to the city which in turn has brought great facilities, shopping and night life. This ready supply of graduate employees has attracted many national and multi national companies to locate there with much reduced costs than that of setting up in Bombay.
The City was identified in June 2007 as number one IT exporter in the country and there are plans to make Pune India’s first wireless city. Intel Technology Pvt Ltd, Pune Municipal Corporation and Microsense joined hands to commercially roll out the first phase of Wi-Fi and Wi-Max network in the city. Auto manufacturing is also booming with majors such as Tata Motors, India's largest passenger car & commercial vehicle manufacturer and DaimlerChrysler, which has an assembly line for its Mercedes-Benz brand.
There are excellent transport connections between Pune and Mumbai, the financial power house of India. Mumbai has always been seen as the gateway between the east and west and therefore by extension Pune has benefited from its close proximity.
Around Pune
Weather
As Pune is at a higher altitude, 570 metres above sea level, the climate is not as harsh as on the coast. The city is surrounded by the Sahyadri hills that send cool air down to relieve the higher temperatures of May & June. During the winter warm days and cool nights are the norm.
In fact air conditioning is not really needed in Pune and blankets are definitely required in winter. During summer months daylight hours are 5am to 7pm but in winter it reduces to 7am to 5pm.
Out & About
Pune is well located for visiting many places, here are a few options:-
Mumbai – formerly Bombay. The contrasts of India can be seen here in plenty. Mumbai is the financial capital of modern India with all the wealth that brings and has always been the Gateway to the Western and eastern influences, British Raj histoest for the country. As such it is a mix of westry, amazing gothic architecture, consumer extravagance, amazing night clubs and Bollywood stars can all be seen in South Mumbai. Then take a short trip on the train to see the largest slum in Asia in the north of Mumbai and the millions of people who are trying to survive in this ‘ Maximum City’. The city can be difficult to accept and come to terms with and is perhaps only second to Kolkata in its ‘Indianess’.
Goa
The tourist’s favourite, Goa is a respite from real India. With the Portuguese history of this tiny state it has some very civilised touches such as European cuisine, beautiful seafood, cafes serving beer, nightclubs open to the wee small hours. If you prefer quiet go to South Goa, otherwise head for the beach resorts of North Goa and prepare to party all night! Pune: Out and About
Western Maharashtra Hill Stations
Hill stations are something of an institution with the country suffering for at least 6 months of the year with crazy temperatures that can often top 45 degrees centigrade (110 degrees Fahrenheit), these small towns offer respite due to their altitude. Matheran, Lonavla and Mahabaleshwar are the most famous in the area and offer a year round temperature of around 24 degrees during the day and cool nights.
India is the most friendly and easy country to travel in, so make sure you take advantage of it while on your gap year travels!
Culture and Customs
Entertainment
Mumbai and by extension Pune, is very different from the rest of India. There is a lot of western influence on leisure activities, eating, drinking etc. As a top university city Pune has a huge number of students and this means there are more concerts, raves, night clubs etc than most other places in India. There are several bars in the city alongside excellent restaurants of every type of cuisine.
Multiplex cinemas are now showing English language Hollywood movies alongside the wonderful colour, glitz and glamour of Bollywood films. Going to an Indian cinema is an experience in itself as you will often find people dancing in the aisles to their favourite Bollywood hit!
A must see in Pune is the Rajneesh Ashram or OSHO Commune International. This commune has a large international following and was established by Guru Bhagwan Rajneesh, it spans over 31 acres and contains a 12 acre Zen garden which is very beautiful. Cultural programmes are held regularly in the auditorium here. You can attend meditation and yoga here and participate in many different sports and activities.
In December Pune hosts the Sawai Gandharva Music Festival. It is dedicated to the classical forms of music — both Hindustani (north Indian) and Carnatic (South Indian). Many renowned artists perform through 3 consecutive days creating a hype unique to this city. It is one of the most eagerly awaited festivals in the city, and it attracts music lovers from Pune and other parts of Maharashtra and India.
There are many places in Pune that teach Yoga or you could try out Bollywood Dance classes or even Hindi! So if you would like to learn a new skill while on your gap year, the GapGuru Local Coordinator will be able to help set this up for you.
Festivals & Culture
India has over 1,000 regional festivals a year and the North has its fair share. September and October find the streets lit up with huge portraits of the Hindu Gods and Temples full of people 24 hours a day, fire walks on hot embers by devotees of the Gods are a common site at this time.
Festival of the Lord Ganesha - Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav
It was in Pune in 1894 that Lokmanya Tilak initiated the concept of the "Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav" — the collective communal celebration of the festival of Lord Ganesha. During the month of August or September each year, the city celebrates the Hindu festival of Ganesh Chaturthi. Almost every neighborhood puts up a ‘pandal’ with an idol of Lord Ganesha, often amidst a mythological setting, complete with decorative lights and festive music. The 10-day festival culminates in a carnival-like procession along the busy thoroughfares of the city, with every pandal leading the idol on a float to finally immerse it in the local rivers. This is one of the most important yearly events in the city and causes quite a traffic jam as hundreds of pink elephant Gods make their way to the river!
During this time, the Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation organizes the month-long Pune Festival which hosts classical dance and music recitals, a film and drama festival, automobile rallies and some traditional sports.
Diwali & Holi
Late October or early November is Diwali, the Festival of Lights. It seems every household, however poor, buys a box of fireworks on this day and sets them off from dawn until midnight. Go to the tallest building and watch at night for the most spectacular fireworks show you will ever see!
Holi is held around Easter time and is a great traditional family festival. Powder paints of every colour are daubed on faces and clothes in celebration of killing a demon god. Usually the festivities get out of hand and can end with buckets of paint being poured over people or balloons full of paint thrown between apartments! Even the poor old cows don’t escape and wander around with pink horns and nose for weeks afterwards.
Pune was also home to a considerable population of the Indian Jewish community, the Bene Israel. It is home to Asia's largest synagogue (outside Israel), The Ohel David Synagogue.
Food
India is of course the land of the curry, or Masala as it is called, which literally means ‘mix of spices’. Maharashtra has particular influence from the Portuguese who founded Bombay ( Good Bay in Portuguese) as a spice trading post and food can be fiery hot, using the famous Piri Piri chilli sauce. There are some delicious snacks that are found in the area that must be tried, just ensure you’re buying this wonderful street food from a reputable seller.
Vada Pav
For the equivalent of 10 pence local people eat this wonderful street food as breakfast or a snack. It is a carbohydrate feast of a special bread bun soaked in ghee with a potato (without or without chilli) deep fried fritter inside. It is dripping in calories and obviously therefore tasted fabulous! Pav Vada sellers can be found all over the city.
Misal
Another food item unique to Maharashtra, Misal - a mixture of sprouted cereals, puffed rice flakes, lots of spices & special Tarri (soup) with bread, is available in almost all restaurants.
Bhel Puri
This is a very traditional Indian snack or ‘Chaat’ made up of several ingredients most of which are deep fried and stuffed inside cone and then yummy tamarind sauce poured over
Most people worry about the chilli factor when coming to India. It is very easy to ask in a restaurant or café for little or no chilli at all as most preparations are made fresh. However this cannot be guaranteed and we suggest you try a tiny bit first just in case!
It’s worth coming to India for the food alone, the variety of both veg and non-veg, different rices and breads makes you realise what we don’t get back home! You can eat in any price range from street food at around 20 rupees (25p) for a meal or 800 rupees (£10) for a champagne brunch at a 5 star hotel!
