Shaniwar Wada Pune
About Shaniwar Wada Palace :
Shaniwarwada was the stately mansion originally built as the residence of the Peshwas. The foundation of the mansion was laid by Bajirao 1 in the year 1730 AD and construction was completed in 1732 AD at a cost of Rs. 16,120. Several additions were made to the palace like fortification walls with bastions, gates and court halls by his successors. What was once a seven storied structure was gutted by a fire in the palace. Only the remains can be seen now like the fortification walls with five gateways and nine bastions that enclosed the entire palace. The principal gate is called Dilli Darwaja (Delhi Gate); the other gates are called Mastani or Alibahadur Darwaja, Khidki Darwaja, Ganesh Darwaja and Narayan Darwaja.The walls in the palace were painted with scenes from Ramayana and Mahabharata. A sixteen petal lotus-shaped fountain stands reminiscent of the exquisite work of those times. The historical structure which stands as an important chapter in the history of the Maratha empire, is now maintained by the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC). Around 1,000 people used to stay in the palace.
Lal Mahal
 Shivaji's Father Sahaji Bhonsale, populary called as Dadaji, built this palace in 1643 AD. This palace was built for Shivaji and his mother Jijabai. Dadaji was given territories in Pune while he was residing in Banglore. He decided to send Jijabai and Shivaji to Pune, hence built this fort fro them. Shivaji lived in this palace for many years until Dadaji conquered his fort back. Pune Municipal Corporation renovated Lal Mahal in 1998 which still holds the famous statue of 'Jaimata' (Shivaji's mother).There is the impressive pictorial representation, showing young Shivaji plowing the land with a golden plough, with mother Jijabai and Guru Dadoji Konddev looking at him. This place is just next to Shaniwarwada. |
Sinhagad is a fort that stands as a testimony to the bravery of the Maratha warriors under the leadership of Tanaji Malusare, the general of Chhatrapati Shivaji. The previous name of the fort was Kondhana. The massive fort has been the site of wanton bloodshed and great massacres in many a battle. The most famous among them is of course the 1670 battle where Tanaji Malusare sacrificed his life and the Maratha warriors captured the fort. Chhatrapati Shivaji termed Tanaji as “sinha” (Marathi equivalent for English “lion”) and renamed Kondhana as Sinhagad.
The fort lies 30 km southwest of Pune and the construction stands 800 m above the surrounding area. Strategically Sinhagad held immense importance in the Maratha regime as it is located right at the center of the series of other forts like Purandhar, Torna and Rajgad. The fort perches on a cut off cliff of the Bhuleshwar range in the Sahyadri Mountains. It’s altitude from the sea level is about 1350m.
Among the chief features of the fort, steep slopes, huge walls and bastions are a few important ones. There are two entrances to the fort: Pune Darwaza in North East and Kalyan Darwaza in the South East.
The fort during the reign of the Marathas acted as an important military outpost. The fortification on the fort, now in ruins, still proclaims the grandeur of the architecture and craftsmanship. This is one of the most popular picnic spots in and around Pune. Lovers of adventure arrange treks on the fort which are a real thrill.
The cenotaphs of Tanaji and Rajaram, Shivaji’s younger brother, military stables, the temple of Goddess Kali and the Hanuman Statue to the right of the temple are a few places worth visiting on the fort.
The cadets of the National Defense Academy (NDA) Khadakwasla are sent to the fort regularly as a part of their rigorous military training.
You can reach the top of the fort by vehicles using a steep narrow road at the base. Buses to Sinhagad foothills are available every hour from Shaniwarwada and Swargate. Shared taxi services are also available easily. The climbing route to the fort from both the entrance is an hour long endeavor. But one should be careful while setting out on a trek to the fort especially in the rains when the route gets slippery.
So do plan a trip or a trek to Sinhagad and breathe in the fresh air.
You can tell us more about Singhgad Fort in Pune through comment.
Sinhagad
is a fort that stands as a testimony to the bravery of the Maratha warriors under the leadership of Tanaji Malusare, the general of Chhatrapati Shivaji. The previous name of the fort was Kondhana. The massive fort has been the site of wanton bloodshed and great massacres in many a battle. The most famous among them is of course the 1670 battle where Tanaji Malusare sacrificed his life and the Maratha warriors captured the fort. Chhatrapati Shivaji termed Tanaji as “sinha” (Marathi equivalent for English “lion”) and renamed Kondhana as Sinhagad.
The fort lies 30 km southwest of Pune and the construction stands 800 m above the surrounding area. Strategically Sinhagad held immense importance in the Maratha regime as it is located right at the center of the series of other forts like Purandhar, Torna and Rajgad. The fort perches on a cut off cliff of the Bhuleshwar range in the Sahyadri Mountains. It’s altitude from the sea level is about 1350m.
Among the chief features of the fort, steep slopes, huge walls and bastions are a few important ones. There are two entrances to the fort: Pune Darwaza in North East and Kalyan Darwaza in the South East.
The fort during the reign of the Marathas acted as an important military outpost. The fortification on the fort, now in ruins, still proclaims the grandeur of the architecture and craftsmanship. This is one of the most popular picnic spots in and around Pune. Lovers of adventure arrange treks on the fort which are a real thrill.
The cenotaphs of Tanaji and Rajaram, Shivaji’s younger brother, military stables, the temple of Goddess Kali and the Hanuman Statue to the right of the temple are a few places worth visiting on the fort.
| Lohegaon Airport |
Pune International Airport (पुणे आंतरराष्ट्रीय विमानतळ, लोहगाव) is located approximately 10 km north-east of Pune in the state of Maharashtra, India. The airport, operated by the Airports Authority of India, shares its runway with Lohegaon Air Base. Air India has begun operating direct flights from Pune to Dubai, as also Indian Airlines with flights to Singapore thus giving it international
