Travel – Page 35 – My Favourite Things

Vishrambaug Wada: A symbol of Pune’s cultural heritage and apathy

Posted on July 16, 2010August 18, 2014 by sudhagee

Vishrambaug Wada was built as a residence by Peshwa Baji Rao II in 1811. Today, part of the Wada is open to the public, while other parts have government offices and a post office installed in them. Located in the heart of Pune city, the Wada is a symbol of Pune’s rich cultural heritage. Ironically, it is also a symbol of neglect and apathy to that very rich cultural heritage.

I visited Vishrambaug Wada on a Sunday morning. Though the markets were open, there were not too many people around. The hawker that you can see outside Vishrambaug Wada in the photograph below was busy displaying his ware of sofa and TV covers and bedsheets, when I arrived.

The terracotta, brown and white façade of the Wada, its wooden balcony, and massive wooden pillars (which I could see from across the road), presented the perfect opportunity for a photo-op as I waited to cross the road.

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Pataleshwar caves: A hidden heritage of Pune

Posted on July 14, 2010August 22, 2014 by sudhagee

I mentioned in my previous post that I had gone ‘site’-seeing when I was in Pune last week. One of the places I went to was the 8th century, rock-cut Pataleshwar Caves.

Situated on Jungli Maharaj Road, the entrance to the Caves is through a small garden with this magnificent banyan tree.

In spite of its size, the banyan tree was homely, if you know what I mean. If the grounds had not been wet from the rain, I would have snuggled up to the tree with a book. I had to be content with just hugging the tree and moving on to the Caves.

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A Pune tradition

Posted on July 12, 2010June 27, 2014 by sudhagee

Each time I visit Pune, I follow a tradition. It begins with my boarding the 7.00 am Shivneri bus from Vashi highway at Navi Mumbai.

I reach Pune station by 10.00 am. Then I hop into an auto rickshaw and head straight to Kayani Bakery at East Street in the Camp area.

I always enter Kayani with a prayer on my lips, and rightly so, as I have often had to go back empty-handed because their products have been sold out.

I love Kayani’s cakes (sponge cake, mawa cake), biscuits (Shrewsbury, ginger and wine), and bread and make sure to fill up my backpack.

My next stop is Marz-o-Rin on Main Street or M.G. Road, a 5-minute walk from Kayani Bakery.

Marz-o-Rin Bakery Pune — Marz-o-Rin Bakery

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Colour Coordinated Wimbledon

Posted on June 21, 2010October 25, 2011 by sudhagee

I visited the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club, better known as Wimbledon last September. The first thing that strikes you about the place is the colour coordination—green, purple and white. The colour combination prevails in buildings, seats, flowers–everything.