Located in Sahyadri hills near the west coast of India, Pune is a fascinating city with a healthy climate all year around. Known until not so long ago as Poona, the city was the capital of the powerful Maratha empire and is closely associated with the great warrior king Shivaji. Today, Pune is distinctly divided into the spacious cantonment and the crowded old city, where locali-ties have been named after days in the week.

A walk down the Cantonment area is, of course, a walk into another world not so young or noisy. Here, roomy bungalows of retired army officers and tired pensioners sit basking in the afternoon sun. On certain cobble-stoned streets you can perhaps even hear the pitter-patter of a British regiment marching by. The British perhaps never had as grand an affair with Pune as they did with Shimla, but the neatness of Pune is very colonial, very British.

Parvati Hill
This famous landmark at the southern end of the city Consists of a group of beautiful temples dedicated to Shiva, Ganesh, Vishnu and Kartikey. A relatively easy climb up to the top via a set of wide stone stairs rewards one with a panoramic view of the city and an invigorating draft of cool, fresh air.

Katraj Snake Park
The snake park came into being in the year 1986, with the help of Pune Municipal Corporation. It is situated on the Pune-Satara Highway near Bharati Vidyapeeth Campus. The park has a collection of exotic reptiles, birds, a baby leopard, crocodiles and other animals. The Snake Park's most prized specimen is a six-year-old, King Cobra that's nine feet long!

Shinde's Chhatri
This beautiful architectural creation is located just a few km from the Pune racecourse. This monument was built in the memory of the great Maratha nobleman Mahadji Shinde. It is an imposing edifice, which exudes an air of serenity and austerity, coupled with architectural beauty.

Pataleshwara Temple
Just across the river on Jangli Maharaj Road is the wonderful rock-cut Pataleshwara Temple. This small, partially completed, 8th century temple is similar in style to the much grander rock temple at Elephanta and is actively used by the locals. In front of the excavation is a circular Nandi mandapam. Adjacent is the Jangli Maharaj temple, dedicated to a Hindu ascetic who died here in 1818.

Panchaleshwar Temple
The rock-cut Panchaleshwar Temple is a small 8th century temple built in a similar style to the much grander rock temples of Ellora. According to local lore, the temple was excavated in one night. There's a fine equestrian statue of Shivaji close by.