Poona is located just 170-km from Mumbai at an altitude of 598m. Surrounded by the western Ghat jungles of the Sahyadri hills and situated on the confluence of Rivers Mula and Mutha on the edge of the Deccan plains, Pune enjoys a pleasant climate throughout the year. Better known as the second city of Maharashtra, Pune is also considered to be the cultural capital of the state. Pune is among the greenest urban areas in the country with more than 40 per cent of its area under green cover.
Pune or Punyanagari (the pious city), as it is called has had a glorious past of nearly 1000 years both illustrious and romantic. Although the historical association of the city started with the legendary hero of Maharashtra, Shivaji, Pune actually gained prominence only when it was handed over to the administrators of the Maratha kingdom, the Peshwas.
A small village inhabited by musicians and artists in 613 A.D grew into the Deccan Capital to rival Delhi was during the reign of Peshwa and therefore it is also known as the city of Peshwas. In fact Pune has been known by a plethora of sobriquets, like: cultural capital of Maharashtra, pensioner's paradise and Oxford of the East.
Pune exemplifies an indigenous Marathi culture and ethos, in which education, arts and crafts, and theatres are given due prominence. It is the birthplace of the poet-saint Tukaram, and Dnyaneshwar. It has been the home of great freedom fighters like Bal Gangadhar Tilak, Agarkar and Gopal Krishna Gokhale. Pune city has also played a pivotal role in the freedom movement of India.
It was developed into a 19th century Indian army town by the British and even today the National Defence Academy based here.
At present Pune is the 7th ranking industrial metro of India. In fact Kothrud, a Pune suburb, has been named as the town having fastest urban growth rate in the Guinness book of world records. It is also coming up as a major IT city and with the Film and Television Institute of India; it is fast becoming one of the major hubs of industry and commerce in the country.
A tourist in Pune can enjoy many cultural, historical sites along with its pleasant weather and would never find the dearth of eating joints in the city. Thus, a new sobriquet has recently been attached to the city: The city of Restaurants.
