Introduction:
Pune is known by abundant sobriquets. Popular among them:
Queen of the Deccan, cultural capital of Maharashtra, pensioner's
paradise and Oxford of the East. Pune is one of the historic
cities of India with a glorious past, an innovative present
and a promising future. Situated in the Sahayadri Hills,
near the west coast of India, Pune is an enthralling city
with a congenial climate all year round. Pune is one of
the biggest industrial towns of Maharashtra and known as
the automobile city as many big auto mobile companies have
their head Quarters here. Shivaji, the great Maratha leader,
was raised in Pune, which was granted to his grandfather
in 1599. Later it became the seat of power for the Brahmin
Peshwa family until 1817 when it fell to the british and
became their alternative capital during the monsoon. Pune
(pronounced and often spelt 'Poona') has a rather more pleasant
climate than muggy Mumbai. With fast (but full) express
commuter trains connecting Pune to Mumbai in less than four
hours, many people who can't afford the sky-high prices
of accommodation in Mumbai commute daily between the two
cities. As a result, big city influence has rubbed off on
Pune, and fashion shops and fast-food outlets are constantly
springing up. Pune boast a prestigious university(styling
itself as the 'Oxford of the East'), and is a major industrial
centre. For many western visitors, the city's major attraction
is the Osho Commune International, better known as the ashram
of Bhagwan Rajneesh. Pune is also famous for education and
OSHO Communes in the Rajnesh Ashram. Pune is among the greenest
urban areas in the country with more than 40 per cent of
its area under green cover.
The city was one of the pivotal
bases of the 17th century Maratha ruler Chhatrapati Shivaji,
who was born at the Shivneri Fort here. Pune became the
seat of the enterprising Peshwas, under whom Maratha power
rose into a major political force. The Peshwas were renowned
patrons of the arts and in their time, enriched the city
with temples, gardens and educational institutions. After
the Battle of Koregaon in 1818, Pune fell into the hands
of the East India Company. It was here that Lokmanya Bal
Gangadhar Tilak introduced the principle of Swadeshi during
the Freedom Movement. The British proposed to transform
the city into a 'monsoon capital' but instead developed
it into a 19th century Indian army town and renamed it Poona.
Pune Fair & Festivals
The festivals which are celebrated in Pune are:-
Diwali Festival :
The most beautiful of all Indian festivals, Diwali is a
celebration of lights. The Diwali night in particular is
a delightful feast to watch. On the same night "Laxmi
Poojan" is held and the Goddess is venerated. Legend
has it that Laxmi the Goddess of wealth visits all the houses
hence all the houses are well-lighted and kept open. Diwali
also ushers the" Hindu New Year".
The Ganesh Festival :
Lord Ganesh, the patron deity of Maharashtra, is the God
of wisdom. The 11-day festival begins with the installation
of beautifully sculpted Ganesh idols in homes and mandaps,
colorfully decorated, depicting religious themes or current
events. People take Ganesh idols in procession to the accompaniment
of music and dance for immersion in the sea or nearby river
or lake on the 11th day.
Holi :
Each year, after a successful winter harvest, people get
ready to welcome the spring with Holi - the festival of
colors. Brightly colored powders are applied on faces, and
there is plenty of music, dance and sweets to fill the rest
of the day. The exuberant display of colors symbolizes the
advent of a colorful and prosperous spring season.
