15 Most Famous Historical Places In Pune, Maharashtra

Pune is a city historical location in Maharashtra that is ruled by different kings at different times, like the Adil Shahi dynasty, the Rashtrakuta dynasty, Ahmadnagar Sultanate, the Mughals, and the most popular Maratha Empire.

Many historical places in Pune, like Shaniwar Wada, Laal Mahal, Vishrambaug Wada, Pataleshwar Caves, etc., pay tribute to the people of ancient times who lived here and the Marathas.

According to the report in timesofIndia, the Pune Municipal Corporation launched three-four new heritage walks to make Pune a more exciting spot for locals and tourists.

Now you understand how important Pune is for historical monuments. Make sure you go through this article till the end to learn more about the historical monuments in Pune city. Let’s get started.

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1. Lal Mahal

It is considered among the most famous monuments in Pune because it is where the founder of the Maratha Empire, Shivaji Maharaj, spent in childhood, making it among the best monuments in Pune.

Shivaji Maharaj’s father, Shahaji Raje Bhosale, makes a Lal Mahal for his wife, Jijabai, and son Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. The current Lal Mahal was constructed on only a part of the original land of the Lal Mahal.

The Lal Mahal has a collection of oil paintings of ancient times, a vast map of Maharashtra, an idol statue of Jijabi, and a carving of Shivaji Maharaj with a gold plow. It is also a popular spot among the kids and children.

• Entry Fee – Rs5 per person
• Address – Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Rd, Durvankur Society, Kasba Peth, Pune

Read Also – Historical Places in Amritsar

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2. Mahadji Shinde Chhatri

It is a memorial hall dedicated to the 18th-century military leader Mahadji Shinde, the Maratha army commander from 1760 to 1780 under Peshwas. It is the most popular spot to give tribute to Maratha.

There is also a Lord Shiva temple which Mahadji Shinde built. And in the year when he built this temple, he died. Now Mahadji Shinde Chhatri is among the most famous monuments in Pune among the people.

People mainly come here to see the Rajasthani architecture style, exhibitions of plenty of cultures, beautiful carvings on the walls, and houses of art galleries. You can also witness the original photographs of Mahadji Shinde Chhatri.

• Entry Fee – Rs 10 for Indians and Rs 100 for Foreigners
• Address – FVRW+MW3, Wanawadi Rd, Pune Cantonment, Pune

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3. Vishrambaug Wada

Vishrambaug Wada is a vast and luxurious mansion in Pune City that Peshwa Baji Rao II owns. It is a vast mansion spread over 20,000 sq. ft. of land. It is known for its entrance and woodwork on the walls.

Vishrambaug Wada was built in 1807 AD with a 2,00,000 Rs budget, and it took around six years to complete. Baji Rao II stayed in this mansion for twelve years until he deflected in the Third-Anglo-Maratha War.

And after he defeated his wife, Varanasibai stayed here for some time. Now people mainly come here to the wood carvings on the walls, art galleries, Maratha architecture of old times, the balcony of wood, and the main hall.

• Entry Fee – Rs 5 per person
• Address – 619, RB Kumthekar Rd, Perugate, Sadashiv Peth, Pune

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4. Shaniwar Wada, Among The Best Historical Places In Pune

It is among the most famous and best historical monuments in Pune, built-in 1732. The mysterious thing about this fort is that in 1828, the fort was burnt by itself, and the reason still needs to be discovered.

But the surviving structure of Shaniwar Wada is a popular spot among tourists and locals. It has five gates to enter Delhi Darwaza, Mastani Darwaza, Ganesh Darwaza, Khidki Darwaza, and Jambhul Darwaza.

It has many palaces and a fountain available. Many people don’t know that it is considered the most haunted place in Pune because there is a saying that spirits walk in this fort which was burned in an unknown fire.

• Entry Fee – Rs 5 for Indians and Rs 125 for Foreigners
• Address – Shaniwar Peth, Pune

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5. Zero Stone

Zero Stone is among the least noticed monuments in Pune. The British installed it in 1872-1873 to mark the proper geographical location of Pune, and it is also used to measure the distance between one place to another.

British installed more than 80 stones in Indian cities after completing the trigonometrical survey of India. Every Zero Stone has its name, depending on where the British placed it.

Now, it is a popular photography spot among Indians and Foreigners. There is also an India map, statues, models, and many art pieces. But they are not for sale; you click pictures with them.

• Entry Fee – Nothing
• Address – Sadhu Vaswani Rd, Agarkar Nagar, Pune

Read Also – Places To Visit in Mumbai At Night

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6. Nana Wada

It is a vast mansion that spreads over 20,000 sq. ft of land built in 1780. Nana Wada was the residence of Nana Phadnavis, a minister of the Maratha Empire, during the Peshwa management in Pune city.

People mainly come to see the beautiful architecture of Nana Wada, which gives the smell of the Maratha Empire. The wooden railings, cypress-shaped pillars, arches, and motifs of banana flowers are popular attractions.

But now, Nana Wada is home to the municipal office of old records and a municipal school. Because in 1907, Pune’s Deccan Education Society converted Nana Wada, an official English medium school in Pune.

• Entry Fee – Not Known
• Address – 715, PMC Vidyalaya Rd, Budhwar Peth, Pune

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7. Parvati Hill, One Of The Best Monuments In Pune

It is among the most famous historical places in Pune, built during the rule of the Peshwa dynasty. Parvati Hill is situated at the top of the peak, around 640 meters above sea level, with a breathtaking view.

Parvati Hill is also the oldest structure of the Peshwa dynasty times, and the best thing about it is that this temple was built under the maintenance of Balaji Baji Rao in 1749. There are five temples situated at Parvati Hill.

Devdeveshwar, Vishnu, Vithhal, Rama, and Kartikeya Temple. There is also a Peshwa Temple located beside the temple. The museum is home to weapons, wooden furniture, and coins.

• Entry Fee – Nothing
• Address – Parvati Hill, Pune

Read More – Mysterious Temples in India You Must Visit

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8. National War Memorial Southern Command

It is the only war memorial erected by citizens’ contributions in South Asia. National War Memorial Southern Command is a war memorial in Pune dedicated to post-Independence war martyrs.

The memorial was dedicated to the nation in August 1998. There are also weapons displayed here which was used in wars, like the Kargil War and the most known Indo-Pakistan War of 1971, which India won.

Now the National War Memorial Southern Command showcases the equipment commanders use, like vehicles, tanks, guns, etc. You can also witness the sound and light show held on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.

• Entry Fee – Nothing
• Address – GVFQ+7V3, Prince of Wales Dr. Rd, Ghorpuri Lines, Dobarwadi, Ghorpadi, Pune

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9. Aga Khan Palace

It is among the best and must-visit monuments in Pune. Aga Khan Palace is a vast and beautiful palace built by Sultan Muhammed Shah Aga Khan II. It is a majestic building where Mahatma Gandhi was prisoned.

It is also a palace or place where Kasturba Gandhi and Mahadev Desai died in 2003. Aga Khan Palace is declared India’s national and precious monument by the Archaeological Survey of India team.

Aga Khan Palace is famous among photographers because of its beautiful architecture, fantastic greenery, Italian arches, and Spacious lawns. The Aga Khan Palace has five malls to explore on foot.

• Entry Fee – Rs 5 for Indians and Rs 100 for Foreigners
• Address – HW22+XHW, Nagar Road, Samrat Ashok Rd, Pune

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10. Katraj Lake

Katraj is a neighborhood of Pune famous for its lake, which supplied water to the city during the Peshwa dynasty in the 18th century. A vast Jain Temple was built in Katraj in the late 20th century in Pune.

Katraj Jain Temple is among the most precious temples, especially among the Jains in Pune, Maharashtra. The Temple was constructed under the maintenance of Shri Daulasagarji many years back in Pune.

There is also an image of Padmavati in the Katraj Jain Temple, installed in 1999. Rani Padmavati is very popular among the devotees. The temple has modern facilities, like a Dharamshala and a Bhojanalya.

• Entry Fee – Nothing
• Address – CVV7+Q5H, Katraj Vasahat, Katraj, Pune

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11. Pataleshwar Cave Temple, Among The Best Historical Monuments In Pune

It is also known as Bhamburde Pandav Cave Temple and Panchaleshvara Temple. It is an 8th-century cut-rock Hindu Temple in Pune from the Rashtrakuta period, dedicated to Lord Shiva.

Pataleshwar Cave Temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu, Brahma, and Shiva, but now it is only dedicated to Goddess Parvati, Lord Ganesh, and Lord Shiva. A little garden with new idols surrounds the temple.

It is believed that King Rituparna discovered this temple in Treta Yuga. There is also a Sansrkit text carves in the architecture of this temple, and Pataleshwar Cave Temple is around 150 km from Mumbai, India.

• Entry Fee – Nothing
• Address – GRGX+QXX, Jangali Maharaj Rd, Revenue Colony, Shivajinagar, Pune

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12. Peshwe Museum

Peshwe Museum is a historical museum beside the Parvati Hill Temple, built in 1795 by Nanasaheb Peshwa. The Peshwe Museum is home to unique and incredible artifacts from the Peshwa dynasty.

Like, clothes, furniture, weapons, coins, musical instruments, uniforms, locks, jewelry, utensils, and much more. Old paintings, letters, documents, maps, and architectural pieces are also available in Peshwe Museum.

Peshwe Musem is now an ideal destination for photographers and history lovers. The museum also has a collection of coins and currencies from the British Era, The Chola Dynasty, The Peshwa Era, and The Mughal Dynasty.

• Entry Fee – Nothing
• Address – FRWW+VQR, Parvati Hills, Parvati Paytha, Pune

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13. Mahatma Phule Wada

It is among the best monuments for exploring the ancient Pune people’s lifestyle. Mahatma Phule Wada was the home of Jotiba Phule, who lived here with his wife, Devi Savitri Bai Phule, for some time.

The Mahatma Phule Wada consists of a house, a green space, clean drinking water, green trees, and a courtyard representing the architecture and the lifestyle of the Pune people who lived here in the 19th century.

Now Mahatma Phule Wada is an ideal spot for Indians and Foreigners to photograph and learn more about Pune culture, lifestyle, uniforms, languages, food, etc. It is a historical monument to visit with family in Pune.

• Entry Fee – Rs 10 per person
• Address – Ghorpade Peth, Ganj Peth, Pune

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14. Raja Dinkar Kelkar Museum

It is a famous museum in Pune, which was dedicated to the son of Dr. Dinkar G. Kelker. The three-story building houses various artifacts of the 14th century. There are ornaments of ivory, gold, and silver present in this museum.

The Raja Dinkar Kelkar Museum was established in 1962, and now it has over 20,000 objects. The significant objects in this museum are about Indian culture, and most of them were from around the 18th or 19th century in India.

The famous collection of Raja Dinkar Kelkar Museum is musical instruments, vessels, door frames, ornaments, and paintings. Undoubtedly, Raja Dinkar Kelkar Museum is among the best monuments in Pune.

• Entry Fee – Rs 50 for Indians and Rs 200 for Foreigners
• Address – No. 1377/78, Kamal Kunj, Bajirao Rd, Natu Baag, Shukrawar Peth, Pune

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15. Sinhagad Fort

It is among Pune’s most famous historical places because it was the site for many battles, like the Battle of Sinhagad and the Battle of Peshwa Era. Previously it was known by the other name called “Kondhana.”

The Sinhagad Fort is built in such a way that it provides natural protection from the coming attacks and enemies. This fort also has multiple doors available to make it more secure, and it is placed 760m above sea level.

Many tombs are also available in the Sinhagad Fort of the Warriors, Rajaram Tanaji. The Sinhagad Fort is an ideal destination for hikers and trekkers because it is placed on top of the peak.

• Entry Fee – Rs 20 per person
• Address – Sinhagad Ghat Rd, Thoptewadi

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Conclusion On The Most Popular Historical Places in Pune

It’s all about the Pune city. Pune captured around 50% of the history of India. From battle forts to Tanaji home and from zero stone to haunted place, Pune has everything that attracts any history and architecture lover.

There are more than hundreds of historical landmarks in Pune, but covering all those landmarks in a single article is impossible. The places mentioned above are the best monuments in Pune that are worth your time and money.

Now you have a list of all the popular historical places in Pune. Pack your bag, book your tickets, and start covering above mentioned all the places individually. Don’t forget to share your experience in the comments.

“Thank You.”

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Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Historical Monuments in Pune City