Pune is the second largest city in Maharashtra after Mumbai. Pune lies on the western extreme of the Deccan Plateau, on the leeward side of the Sahyadri Mountains (Western Ghats). It is adorned with the title ‘Queen of the Deccan’ for its Maratha heritage and culture. Marathi is the official and most spoken language followed by Hindi.
Pune exemplifies an indigenous Marathi Culture and Ethos in which education, art and theatre are given due prominence. Pune is known since ages for its traditions and reforms right from Shivaji Maharaj, the founder of "People's Rajya" - "Swarajya", further carried forward and glorified by the Peshwas.
Once the hometown of Marathas and a centre of power for the Maratha Empire, Pune’s rich and glorious past has made it the cultural capital of Maharashtra. Pune has an important place in Indian history of the Indian Freedom struggle. Social reformers like Agarkar, Tilak, Gokhale, Savitribai and Jyotiba Phule have carved this reformist city. It is also a land purified by the teachings of saints like Dnyaneshwar, Tukaram and Ramdas Swami.
Pune displays its tradition & culture in its heart and also outstretches its arms happily to embrace new reforms in the fields of science, education and technology.
From Cycle City, now ready to become a Metro City & from Wada Sanskruti to Skyscrapers. Pune is called Vidyeche Maaherghar i.e. Oxford of the East with hundreds of well-known educational institutes and most number of Universities. It is also known as The Detroit of East with enterprising industries and the largest developing IT hub. Over the last three decades, Pune has developed as one of the prominent urban agglomerates in India. It has rapidly grown into a contemporary industrial hub and is identified today as a growing metropolis with tremendous potential. This evolution has positioned Pune as a major growth centre and an attractive investment destination. Pune is one of the strongest human capital and economic growth engines in India. With 811 colleges, Pune’s graduate workforce has triggered an IT revolution in the city. Pune is also one of the most successful start-up destinations in India with more than 400 local start-ups.
Pune exhibits its natural beauty in abundance with the strong Sahyadris protecting it, making it a favourite trekking destination. It also has beautiful dams and rivers enriching it, making its presence on the tourist map as well.
Pune is also a seat of music, art and theatre. Pune has patronized Marathi theatre. Tilak Smarak Mandir, Bharat Natya Mandir, Bala Gandharva Rangmandir, Yashwantrao Chavan Natyagriha, Sudarshan Rangmanch etc are some of the foremost arenas that stage and promote both experimental as well as professional Marathi drama. Sawai Gandharva Music Festival organized in the month of December every year is yet another attraction of Pune culture. This 3 days long music festival is dedicated to the classical forms of Hindustani and Carnatic music where renowned artists from different parts of the country assemble and perform. Shaniwarwada Dance Festival held in the winter months showcases some of the best exponents of Indian classical dance. The beautifully illuminated Shaniwarwada serves as the backdrop of this festival.
Pune is the native land of the Ganesh Festival now celebrated nationwide with unparalleled zest and enthusiasm. It was here that Lokmanya Tilak introduced the conception of the ‘Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav’. The Ganesh Festival is celebrated with supreme pomp and gusto in Pune every year in the month of August or September. Simultaneously with the 10 days long Ganeshotsav, the Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation organizes the month-long Pune Festival when the exuberant banquet of classical and Marathi folk dances, music concerts, theatre, film and drama festival, bike and car rallies, traditional sports and innumerable other events beckon millions of spectators from every corner of the country and globe.
Pune food culture is an amalgam of tradition and food giving more refined flavors to the dishes. Along with this, the Maharashtrian spices add a spark to the simple yet piquant dishes.
Pune is famous for its traditional Maharashtrian cuisine such as Puran Poli, Pithla - Bhakri, Chitales's Bakarwadi, Mastani, Vada Pav, Misal Pav, Laxminarayan Best Chiwda, Indian Chat, Mango Barfi, Amrakhanda, Basundi, Modak, Karanji, Soonth Paak, Chakali, Surali Wadis, Kacchi Dabeli, Amti, Thali Peeth, Kobhi Zunka, Pitacgi Mirchi, Varhadi Aloo Bhat, Pavta Batata, Valachi Virdi, Nawabi Biryani, Kolhapuri Rassa, Papletchi Amti, Sukhi Kolmi and a number of other gourmet feasts.
Pune has a well-structured transportation and hybrid connectivity in all kinds of transport such as metro, buses, railway, and road transport, which reduces traffic congestion. The city has planned to design a developed Public Transport Infrastructure and Integrated Multi-Modal Public Transport System. Pune has the most outstanding transport infrastructure. The city and its countryside may be bisected using road and rail. Buses are a preferred means of public transport. Comfy highway, rail, and air routes make the city easily reachable to the international and domestic society.