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A city that has been at the helm of affairs since ancient times. Pune is well known for its educational, research and development institutions, and is considered as the educational epicenter of the country. It’s little wonder then, that it is known as the ‘Oxford of the East.’ It is the eighth largest city in India and the second largest city in Maharshtra.
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This home town of the Marathas, even today, says stories of the glorious past, through all the edifices that stand tall in the city.
The city’s history dates back to Shivaji Maharaj, the Peshwas and Lokmanya Tilak. It was here, in the Lal Mahal, that Shivaji boldly attacked Aurangzeb’s uncle, Shaista Khan and won back the lost territories.
Pune is located 192 km (by rail) and 160 km (by road) from Mumbai, Maharshtra’s capital city. It is surrounded by the hills and the famed Sinhagad fort. Pune is considered to be among the greenest urban areas in the country.
By virtue of being surrounded by hills, the climate in Pune is always cool and pleasant. Summer months of April and May are especially hot and dry, and winters may prove to be very chilly and windy. Overall, the climate is invigorating.
Pune is a hub of automotive and IT industries. Currently, Pune is bustling with growing economic activities. It is considered one of the most developed city for industrial growth.Pune is home to world’s largest two-wheeler manufacturer, Bajaj Auto, and India’s largest car manufacturer, Tata Motors. That apart, the world's second largest forging company, Bharat Forge Ltd., is also located here.
Rightly called the cultural capital of Maharashtra, Pune mirrors the Marathi culture and values, and is the homeland of poets, artists, and National leaders. Festivals, dance and music are an intricate part of Pune. Ganesh Festival is celebrated with great pomp and fervour for ten days, not just by the Hindus, but every Pune-ite -- whatever religion, caste or creed they may belong to! The City is the seat of North Indian Classical music, and Savai-Gandharva, a three night long cultural program of vocal and instrumental classical music is organized every year.
Pune boasts of having a cosmopolitan crowd -- from Parsis, Bengalis, Gujaratis and South Indians to foreign nationals.
The religious identity of the city of Pune has undergone a sea change over the last few years. Though Hinduism is one of the major religions that is followed by its citizens, some of the other prominent religions like Sikhism, Jainism, Buddhism, Zoroastrianism, are also followed.
That Pune was once the capital of the Maratha Empire?
That the name Pune is derived from the Sanskrit word, ‘Punya’, meaning virtue? - It was called ‘Punya-nagari’
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