- Located in Pune city of Maharashtra
- Situated in Agakhan Palace premises
- The palace was donated by Prince Aga khan
- Main attractions include Palace Italian architecture, Memorials of Kasturba Gandhi, Mahadev Bhai Desai and Gandhi Smarak Samiti
- One can reach here by taking a train till Pune and then a cab or rickshaw till the Aga khan Palace.
The Aga khan Palace Gardens, Pune
The Aga khan Palace Gardens are one of Pune’s many recreational places. The gardens are located in the premises of the Agakhan Palace that stands at a distance of 2 km away from the Bund Gardens in the Yerawada area of Pune, on the Pune – Nagar Road. The palace is a historical landmark of Pune. The spacious lawns and the Italian architecture of the palace are the main things that attract the visitors towards the great monument.
Long Long Ago
The Aga khan Palace of Pune has close connections with various Indian Independence Movements and the leaders who participated in them. During the period when the Quit India Movement was on an elevation, in 1942, great Indian freedom fighters like Mahatma Gandhi, Shri Mahadeo Bhai Desai, Kasturba Gandhi, Dr. Sarojini Naidu and many others had seen this palace as a place of incarceration. The Agakhan Palace also witnessed the passing away of Kasturba Gandhi and Shri Mahadeobhai Desai. The palace in- houses the materials used here by all these great men and women of the past. Several years later, Prince Aga khan, the last resident of the palace, contributed the Agakhan Palace Gardens in Pune to the Gandhi Smarak Samiti in 1972. The Parks and Gardens organization of the city beholds the authorities to maintain this national epic garden.
The Make Up
The Aga khan Palace Gardens in Pune give a spectacular view of the marvellously arched palace, red roofed and covered in Italian designs. The total area of the gardens and the palace is about 19 acres in size. The onlooker’s eye is captivated by the picturesque beauty of the entire campus. There are statues of Mahatma Gandhi, Kasturba Gandhi and Shri Mahadeobhai Desai in the palace gardens, and there is a separate section inside the palace which includes their various articles of their use; like bed, writing desk, attires, footwear and so much more; all of which give a feel of how their life would have been during their detention in this place. This section is called the Gandhi Smarak Samiti, or the Gandhi Memorial, which runs Khadi Gramodyog Bhandar (cotton textile manufacturing on a small scale), Mahadev Chhapkhana (Printing Press), Rashtriya Mahila Sanstha (National Women’s League), Stitching Classes and so on, in the memory of these great people.
What Magnetizes You Here?
The Aga khan Palace Gardens in Pune has a lot to keep you strolling inside its campus. The gardens are beautifully manicured with a good variety of trees and flowered plants. There are statues erected of the superior freedom fighters, as explained, in the Agakhan Palace Gardens. The center of the garden possesses a beautiful 3- staged fountain, out of which water springs in the evenings. There are lights placed in the lower inner boundary of the low- wall that circumferences the fountain. In the eve, when these lights and the showers are switched on, the scene is majestic as if colorful waters dance in front of the splendor of the Palace.
Tourists from all over the world come over to visit this place, while they plan to tour the rest of Maharashtra. A last word for your information, this place is open on all days for visiting, except and national holidays.
How to Reach
One can travel to Pune, India by train, bus or flight and then take a taxi or a bus to the palace, which is located in the eastern part of the city, just a short drive or walk away from the city center.
Best Time to Visit
Between October and March, when the weather is pleasant and cool, making it ideal for outdoor activities and sightseeing. It is advisable to avoid the summer months of April to June, as the temperatures can be high and humid.
- Also Read: 20 Weekend Getaway Places around Pune
