Pune Tribal Museum

Pune Tribal Museum is located in the city of Pune, State Maharashtra. This museum is dedicated to the various tribes in the State and helps in promoting awareness about them. 

Location - Tribal Research and Training Institute Campus

City - Pune

District - Pune

State - Maharashtra

Address -

28, Queen's Garden

Near Old Circuit House

Bund Garden Road

Pune - 411 001

Maharashtra

Nearest Railway Station - Pune, 1 km

Nearest Airport - Lohegaon, 5 km

Contact Number - 020 26330854

Fax Number - 020 26330854

Email address - mus.tri-mh@nic.in and trti.mah@nic.in

Museum Curator - Santosh Nanaware

Established - In the year 1962 

Management - Tribal Research and Training Institute, Pune 

Motto - A place committed to preserve the artistic and poetic impulses of tribals in the state of Maharashtra

Timing - 10.30 a.m. to 5.30 p.m.

Entry Fees - 

Indian child - ₹ 5

Indian Adult - ₹ 10

Foreign Student - ₹ 50

Foreign Child - ₹ 100

Foreign Adult - ₹ 200

Closed - Sundays and Government Holidays

The State of Maharashtra has the second highest tribal population of 10,510,000 as per the 2011 Census. There are hundreds of tribes in the State of which around 45 tribes are well known for their unique style of Arts and Artefacts. 

Some of these tribes are Bhils, Thakars, Thotis, Kola, Warlis,  Madias, Halbi, Mavchis, Korkus, Bohada, Kawar, Kokanas, Gonds, Kokna. 

The Tribal Research and Training Institute, Pune aims at conducting research and running various schemes and programmes for their financial, educational and social upliftment.

As an extension of this cause they established Pune Tribal Museum in 1962 with the aim to exhibit the cultural heritage of the tribes of Maharashtra. The Museum opened to the public in 1965. The Institute works continuously to update and exhibit the tribal works to showcase and preserve their culture, lifestyle, art and heritage in the Museum. 

The Museum is quite small and compact, But the displays that consist of articles like jewellery, masks, musical instruments, paintings, handicrafts, Wood and metal carvings to name a few provide the visitor a deep insight into the life and culture of these tribal communities using just the resources available to them in their natural surroundings. 

Their Art however, reflects their skills, talent, ingenuity, positive outlook towards life, resourcefulness overcoming obstacles and difficulties in their simple and hard lives. 

In Spite of being uneducated, away from modern and developed society, they do not succumb to negativity and despair with respect to their hardships and drawbacks. 

On the contrary, they become one with Nature, respecting and worshipping it and using inspiration from their surroundings, day to day life events, festivals and religious beliefs. 

For the convenience of the visitor, the Museum has been divided into the following sections -

1. Tribal Art and Craft

2. Tribal Material Culture

3. Tribes at a Glance

4. Glimpses of Tribal Craft

5. Ornaments, Tribal deities

6. Tribes at a glance 

7. Hut Section

Each section displays things relevant to its theme. Information on the displayed articles is concise and helpful. The Museum is worth a visit for the tourist interested in understanding the tribal culture of our State in particular and our Country in general. 

Warli, Gond and Bhil Art Pictures source - holidify

Aga Khan Palace, Pune

Location -  Yerwada

City - Pune

District - Pune

State - Maharashtra

Distance from Pune Railway Station - 7 km

Governing Body  - Mahatma Gandhi National Memorial Society

Year of Construction - 1892

Timing - 9 a.m to 5.30 p.m.

Closed on - National Holidays

Best time to visit -  All Seasons

Entry Fees - 

• ₹ 25 for Indians

• ₹ 100 for Non - Indians

Area -  19 acres

Built Up Area - 7 acres

Address - 

Nagar Road,

Samrat Ashok Road,

Pune - 411 006

Phone number - 020 - 26680250

Distance from Pune Railway Station - 7 km

How to reach - Via Road 

Festivals / Ocassions celebrated -

• 26 January - Republic Day

• 30 January - Martyrs Day

• February or March - Mahashivratri

• 8 March - Women's Day

• 15 August - Independence Day

• 2 October - Gandhi Jayanti

• 14 November - Children's Day 

• 22 February ( Kasturba Gandhi Death Anniversary ) - Mother's Day

Pic - Nilesh Shinde

The Great Famine of 1876 - 1878 had devastated much of India, killing millions and crippling the economy completely. The Deccan Plateau was one such region affected severely. To help the famine affected people of Pune, Sultan Muhammad Shah Aga Khan III, the spiritual leader of the Nizari Ismaili Muslims embarked upon the task of building a huge, sprawling palace in Pune so as to give employment to thousands of poor workers in those tough times. The massive palace was built on an area of 7 acres, took five years to complete and cost ₹ 12,00,000. 

                 Pic by Suraj Patil

The Aga Khan Palace is located in a serene, quaint neighborhood of Yerwada in Pune city in the state of Maharashtra. It is a 3 - storeyed building with a wide corridor going all around it. 

Pic by Pravin Gaikwad

During the 1942 Quit India Movement the imprisoned Mahatma Gandhi's health began to deteriorate and he along with his wife Kasturba Gandhi, his assistant Mahadev Desai, Sarojini Naidu, Miraben, Pyarelal Nayar and Dr. Sushila Nayar was detained in the palace. They were held here from 9 August 1942 to 6 May 1944. Unfortunately, Kasturba Gandhi and Mahadev Desai both died while in captivity. The place where they were cremated today have Tulsi plants in their eternal memory. The same way some of the Mahatma's ashes were scattered here and a memorial built for both Ba and Bapu. 

The grandson of Sultan Muhammad Shah Aga Khan, Prince Karim Aga Khan donated the palace to the Gandhi Samarak Samitee in 1972 in honour of the Father of the Nation, Mahatma Gandhi. 

The palace is beautifully built with Italian arches, spacious, well manicured green lawns, plenty of trees, flowering shrubs, bushes, water fountains, a pretty grey and  red tiled roof, Islamic style architecture. The grandeur and splendor of the palace is breathtaking. 

The ground floor has been turned into a museum displaying the life of the seven inmates in those two years of imprisonment. The rooms are maintained as they were with the furniture kept in the same style, and the  personal belongings of the Mahatma like slippers, clothes, utensils, books, letters etc on display.

Pic by Adi Patil

In the grand entrance hall there is a massive statue of both Bapu and Ba. Various freedom moment photographs, black and white pictures, sculptures and statues depicting India's freedom struggle are arranged. The dining room where the seven would sit and eat is maintained and kept as it was. No changes in their rooms, decor etc have been carried out. It seems as if they have been captured in eternal timelessness. The artefacts and all personal items etc on display are cordoned off and cannot be touched. 

Pic by Dipa Roy 

The  Palace complex has the following attractions for the visitors - 

• Library

•  Children's Film Club

• A Khadi Gram Udyog Sales Outlet

• Book Stall for selling Gandhian Literature

• UNHCR Office

Trivia - The rest of the floors are not open for the public. 

Entry for female visitors is free on the occasion of Women's Day. 

Bund Garden, Pune

Bund Garden, Pune

City - Pune

State - Maharashtra

Distance from Pune railway station - 2 km

How to reach - Auto rickshaw, cabs , buses from    the station 

Timing - 6 a.m to 9 p.m.

Bund Garden is located on the right bank of the Mutha river in the city of Pune in the state of Maharashtra. It is at a distance of only 2 km from the station and is easily accessible.

It provides a welcome break from the busy city life to the visitors with its calm and quiet atmosphere that provides peace and relaxation to the mind.

It is full of lush green trees, walking trails, jogging tracks for the fitness conscious and quite a nice playing section for the kids having swings, see-saws, slides and monkey bars. While the parents can relax on the clean and well maintained benches or under the numerous shady trees.

Built by the British, it opened to the public in the year 1869. Previously a number of dams were constructed on the Mutha river by a well known Parsi businessman and philanthropist, Jamsetjee Jejeebhoy so that irrigation water could be supplied to the poor farmers to help in their farming. 

The surrounding waste and undeveloped area was converted into a nice garden while a 

British Captain Robert S. Sellon of the Royal Engineers designed and constructed a grand arched bridge over the Mula - Mutha river that  now connects the Bund Garden to China Garden. 

It is also called the Fitzgerald Bridge. 

The bridge was the first spandrel arch bridge in the city of Pune and built at a cost of 2 lakh rupees.  It has a statue of a Medici lion on both its ends.

The garden is an ideal place to unwind amidst nature, plan and enjoy picnics, take lazy evening strolls, watch the sunset or go for boat rides.

It is an ideal place for kids and adults alike to indulge in racket games like badminton etc.

In the winter months, the trees become home to thousands of migratory birds that provide nature lovers and photographers the opportunity to enjoy and capture their visit in their cameras.

The garden is surrounded by numerous , popular food stalls that provide street food and snacks ranging from chaat items such as Bhel puri, Paani puri, Ragda pattice to South Indian delicacies Idli, Dosa to a variety of sandwiches along with cool Nimbu paani and cold drinks, all at quite a reasonable prices.

Hence the garden is a popular hangout place for kids, their parents, elderly people, youngsters, couples, nature lovers, photographers, walkers, joggers and foodies.

Quite a few cultural activities are also arranged occasionally in the garden in addition to magic shows and  horse rides for the kids. 

The garden is also called Mahatma Gandhi Udyan as the bridge leads to the Gandhi National Memorial.

All in all, tourists to the city of Pune can catch a relaxing evening in the Bund Garden before continuing on with the rest of their itinerary.

Pictures courtesy - wikipedia and PMC.gov.in

Ashtavinayak Temples - Pune

Ashta Vinayak temples - 8 temples of Ganesha around Pune which are dedicated to Ganesha. They are:

1. Moregaon  deity is Mayureshwar or Moresh or the rider of peacock is the destroyer of the demon Sindhu.

2. Ranjangoan deity is Mahaganapathy who is the lord who have come to help Shiva during the destruction of Tripurasura.

3.  The lord at Mahad is names as Varadvinayak (the lord who gives boons), the legend is related to Rukmangada.

4. Theyur Lord is known as Chintamani Vinayak, the name is derived from the Chintamani gem obtained from lord Shiva. There is also a legend related to Kapila Muni. 




5. At Lenyardi, the lord is known as Girijaathmaja. The temple is on the Lenyadri Parvat and this lord is an infant. 

6. Lord Vigneshwara at Ozar is the slayer of Vignaasura. 




 

7. Balleshwar of Pali is said to have come to help a small boy who is an adherent devotee. 
 
 
 
 

8. Siddhi Vinayak at Siddhatek is said to have been installed by Mahavishnu during the battle between the asuras Madhu and Kaitapa.