Location : Maharashtra
Language : Marathi
Attractions : Parvati Temple, Aga-Khan palace, Kelkar Museum ,
Osho Rajneesh Ashram, Sinhagad Fort,
Panshet Dam
Pune, formerly called Poona, is the second largest city
(after Mumbai) in the state of
Maharashtra,
India. According to the 2001 census provisional results, it had - according to official
statistics - a population of 3.755 million in 2001. This figure includes the people residing
in the city of Pimpri-Chinchwad which has historically been considered as a twin of Pune.
The real population of the combined metropolitan area should be between 4.5 to 5 million in
2004. Marathi is the language of the majority of the people residing here and they call
themselves 'Punekar'. 'kar' is a marathi language suffix used to denote a person belonging
to the preceding village or city name. This being a metropolitan city with many
English literate people, 'Puneites' is also a term commonly used to describe the people
of this city, particularly in English dailies.
| Pune (Poona)
|
| Classification |
Metropolitan City |
| State |
Maharashtra |
| Languages |
Marathi, English, Hindi and others |
| Importance |
Eighth largest city in India |
Population
- Total
|
2,691,000 (2004)
|
| Area |
440.00 km2 |
Latitude
Longitude |
18° 32’N
73° 51’ E |
| Altitude |
554 metres average |
Temperature
- Summer
- Winter |
20 ° C to 38 °C
4 °C to 30 °C |
| Rainfall |
1000 mm |
Geography
The city developed on the confluence of rivers Mula and Mutha. They are the tributaries of
the river Bhima which flows east rising from the Western Ghats of Maharashtra.
History
This is a historically important city. The Maratha empire was headquartered here,
and the district has several hill forts along with many ancient temples.
It grew in importance under the British when it housed a major cantonment town.
Pune is the Headquarters of the Southern Command of the Indian Army. The Cantonment area
is still a major fixture and adds to Pune's cosmopolitan flavour.
Prior to the Marathas, evidence of inhabitance comes from relics like the Kasba Ganapati,
Taambdee Jogeshwaaree, Pataleshwar cave. The cave, situated outside the old town,
(but now squarely in the middle of the city,) on what is today Jungli Maharaj Road,
is also called Panchaleshvara caves. It originates around 700 AD, similar in style to the much
grander rock temple at Elephanta, but never completed. More importantly it is an active
Hindu temple. In front of the excavation is a circular Nandi mandapam (pavilion).
Economy
Pune is a major industrial centre, particularly for automobile manufacturing.
It is home to one of the world's largest two-wheeler manufacturers -
Bajaj Auto. Tata Motors has its plant here, in a small corner of its large property.
DaimlerChrysler also has an assembly line for its Mercedes Benz brand.
Whirlpool has an appliance manufacturing plant near Pune. Pune also has a burgeoning
software industry. Many of India's major software players such as TCS,
Infosys and Wipro and global majors like SAS, Avaya, Veritas Software,
BMC Software have a major presence in Pune. With the construction of the six lane
Mumbai-Pune Expressway, this city is now less than a three hour drive from
Bombay.
Education
It has many institutions of higher education, including the
University of Pune, several colleges of engineering, IUCAA
(Inter University Center for Astronomy and Astrophysics),
NCL (National Chemical Laboratory) and the Armed Forces Medical College.
The National Defense Academy, which trains officers of India's armed forces is located at
Khadakvasla, on the outskirts of Pune.
Students from all over India, and many African countries come to Pune for higher education,
particularly engineering and management. Pune is rapidly becoming a major centre of
Information Technology in India. With numerous engineering and management institutes it was
once called the "Oxford of the East" by Jawaharlal Nehru.
India's first and longest serving Prime Minister.
Culture
During the months of August or September each year, the city celebrates the Hindu festival of
Ganesha. The festival culminates in a carnival like procession along the busy throughfares
of the city. The city also has a active theater community.
It is was the birth place of Meher Baba as well as the home of Bhagwan Shree
Rajneesh. Rajneesh's Osho Ashram helps bring a very international flair to the city.
Pune has been one of the centers of the neo-Buddhist revival movement begun by
B. R. Ambedkar in 1956. It also hosts headquarters of the Trailokya Bauddha Mahasangha Gana,
the Indian affiliate of the Friends of the Western Buddhist Order.
Places of Interest
Parvati Temple
Shaniwar Wada
Aga-Khan palace
Kelkar Museum
The art Gallery at Balgandharva Rangamandir
Osho Rajneesh Ashram
Sinhagad Fort
Handmade-Paper Factory
Lonavala-Khandala hillstation
Panshet Dam
Poona Club
Famous Personalities
- Shivaji Maharaj
- Bajirao Peshwa
- Madhavrao Peshwa
- Nanasaheb Peshwa
- Nana Phadnavis
- Lokmanya Bal Gangadhar Tilak
- Gopal Krishna Gokhale
- Mahatma Phule
- Pralhad Keshav Atre
- B.K.S. Iyengar
- P.L. Deshpande
- Osho Rajneesh
- Nathuram Godse
- Dhondo Keshav Karve
Pune District
Population (2001): 7,224,224
Pune Division
Pune Division is one of the six divisions of Maharashtra. Pune Division is bound by
Konkan Division to the west, Nashik Division to the
north, Marathwada (Aurangabad Division) to the east, and the state of
Karnataka to the south.
- Area: 57,268 sq. km.
- Population (2001 census): 19,973,761
- Districts: Kolhapur, Pune, Sangli, Satara, Solapur
- Literacy: 76.95%
- Area under irrigation: 889,600 hectares
- Main crops: Jowar, wheat, bajra, sugarcane, rice, soybean, onion, groundnut, vegetables, turmeric, grape, pomegranate
External links
Official Websites
Education
Research
