Tips
- Located in the city of Pune, Maharashtra.
- Laid down in 1986 by Mr. Neelim Kumar Khaire.
- Major attractions are numerous snakes (300 – 350) of huge variety (40 different species).
- The place is open on all days to visit.
- Entry fee – ₹40 for adults and ₹10 for kids
- Timings of the garden – 10:30 AM to 5:30 PM, open on all days.
- While in Pune, one can reach this place via bus, cab or a private vehicle. There are sight – seeing buses available that plan your trip to the most famous attractions of Pune, including the Katraj Snake Park in Pune.
The Katraj Snake Park, Pune
The outskirts of the Pune city span 20 km away from the Pune railway station. Here lies the Katraj Snake Park, one of the most famous zoos in the country, popular for the variety of snake species it serves to show. The original foundation of this snake park was laid in the year 1986, under the supervision of Mr. Neelim Kumar Khaire, a renowned naturalist who has also designed the plan of the built- up of the park. Later, the Katraj Snake Park was integrated to the Rajiv Gandhi Udyan group of gardens in the year 1999.
The Make Up
The Katraj Snake Park is just like any other garden, with trees and lawns around. The unique part here is the collection of snakes and other reptiles that have a habitat in the Katraj Snake Park in Pune. Snakes of different shapes and sizes can be seen here, along with views of other reptiles like the crocodiles and different species of lizards. Information regarding the names, characteristics and behavior of different species is provided in different scripts and mediums, across the walls of the snake museum as well as in the library present in the park campus. There has also been provided a facility, to read the information, for the blind.
Recently, a zoo has also been added to the Katraj Snake Park, where reside various other animals from the wild life – the Leopard, the Civet cats, the Deer, the Sparrow Hawk, the Brown Palm Civet, and the Cinereous Vulture which is a creature unique to this park. Also, the park is a home to various birds and turtles.
- You May also Like to Read: Empress Botanical Garden, Pune
What Magnetizes You Here?
Along with the beauty of the park campus, the greenery that suits the eyes and the zoo creatures that enhance the excitement to come and visit this place, various festival celebrations are a strong magnet of the Katraj Snake Park. Mr. Khaire, the director and founder of the park is a great lover of snakes and animals himself. He and his team of the park development and maintenance organize various programs, several in number, every year. Festivals symbolizing the value and worship of snakes, like the Naga Panchami and the Maha Shivaratri, are fancily celebrated in the Katraj Snake Park in Pune. There is a nine feet long snake named King Cobra, which is vicious and scary. It has been brought from the Sundarbans, specifically, and is one of the major attractions of the park. Of course, the lush green lawns of the garden are a plus to all this.
Important for you to notice is that due to the presence of various wild animals, keep your children away from approaching too close to the creatures. Also, since these species are rare and their preservation is our duty, do not harass the animals by picking or throwing stones or food at them. Here`s wishing you a great time at the Katraj Snake Park in Pune.
Best Time to Visit
The best time to visit Katraj Snake Park in Pune is during the winter months between November and February. During this time, the weather is pleasant and mild, making it an ideal time to explore the park.
How to Reach
To reach Katraj Snake Park in Pune, you can follow the below directions:
By Car/Taxi: If you are traveling by car or taxi, you can enter “Katraj Snake Park” into your GPS or maps application and follow the directions provided. The park is located off the Pune-Satara Highway, and it will take approximately 25-30 minutes to reach there from the city center.
By Bus: If you prefer public transportation, you can take a bus from any major bus stop in Pune heading towards Katraj. Once you reach the Katraj Bus Stop, you can take a rickshaw or walk towards the park, which is around 1.5 km from the bus stop.
By Train: If you are traveling by train, you can take a train to Pune Junction railway station. From there, you can either take a taxi or a bus to reach Katraj Snake Park.
