Nomadic African

In the heart of Maharashtra lies the metropolitan city of Pune, the second largest in Maharashtra after Mumbai. It is situated in the central Deccan Plateau, at a height of 560 meters above sea level. It is also the place where the rivers Mula and Mutha meet. Earlier known as Punawadi, Pune became a major political, industrial and commercial centre from the 18th century. Education is believed to be advanced and competitive in this city, making it all the more prominent. It is known for its culture and tradition, attracting thousands of tourists every year.

The buildings in Pune show a perfect blend of ancient Indian architecture with a colonial twist. The city is a result of expert urban planning with the influences of the British Raj and the Garden City Movement, especially in the Cantonment area. This planning balances the urbanized lifestyle with plenty of greenery.

The population of Pune mainly consists of Hindus but Muslims, Jains, Christians and Sikhs are minority groups. The large Hindu population have several places of worship in the city. Some traditional pieces of ancient Indian architecture include Bhuleshwar Temple, Sri Balaji Mandir, Bhimashankar Temple, Chaturshringi Temple, Jain Temple and the Aga Khan Palace. Pune is also a centre of spirituality with the establishment of the Osho ashram. The peace and serenity of the ashram spreads in all directions and provides a sense of tranquility.

Some other places of interest include Raja Dinkar Kelkar Museum, Darshan Museum, Sinhagad Fort, Rajiv Gandhi Zoological Park, Pune Tribal Museum and the pleasant Pu La Deshpande Garden.

Apart from heritage buildings and education, Pune is most famous for giving birth to tangy chaats like Pav Bhaji and Bhel Puri. It is a common sight for street hawkers and fast food joints to be surrounded by crowds of people during the weekends. The Khau Galli street is especially famous for its wide variety of snacks from samosas and jalebis to fruit juices and vada pav. It is literally a "food street" with stalls established at every inch of the road.

The traditional cuisine, however, consists of pearl millet and sorghum as the staple ingredients. Most households and local restaurants are well versed in preparing dishes like Puran Poli and Pithla Bhakri. The Mastani is a thick milkshake with dry fruits, served as a healthy dessert. Some common eating places in Pune are Ladro Street Cafe, Corn Club, Hardcastle Restaurant and Deccan Rendezvous. The food in Pune is like the epitome of Marathi culture and is changing with urbanized population.

Pune has tropical wet and dry climate with very hot summers and cold winters. November to February is the best time to visit with pleasant weather conditions, perfect for sightseeing. Pune flights frequently arrive from Bangalore, Hyderabad, Nashik, New Delhi, Kolkata and few international destinations like Frankfurt and Dubai.