Chaturshringi Temple

History: Built during the reign of the Chhatrapati Shivaji Raje Bhosle, the Chaturshringi Temple derives its name from a mountain with four peaks (Chatur means four). The premises also houses temples dedicated to Goddess Durga and Lord Ganesh – which includes eight miniature idols of Ashtavinayaka. These small temples are located on the four separate hillocks. The legend associated with Chaturshringi Temple has that a rich and prosperous merchant, Durlabhsheth Pitambardas Mahajan, an ardent believer in Goddess Chaturshringi had this temple built on the direction of the Goddess herself. Being a devout follower he had visited her temples located at various places but as he grew older he could no longer travel. It was then that the Goddess Chaturshringi appeared in his dream one night and told him, that if he could not travel to her she would instead opt to come stay near him. She directed him to have a mountain situated in the North West side of Pune dug up. On digging at the designated place a natural statue or a swayambhu idol of the goddess was found and a temple was built there. To see: Open daily from 6 am to 11pm.

Shaniwarwada

centre?

History: The foundation stone of one of the most historically significant places in Pune was laid in the year 1730 on a Saturday which gave it the name Shaniwarwada as Shaniwar is Saturday in Hindi and wada is a place you stay at. Today, little remains of the original structure that comprised of additions made over years to this seat of Peshwa rulers of the Maratha Empire. A great fire in 1827, that lasted for a full seven days, gutted everything except heavy granite ramparts, strong teak gateways and deep foundations. One can see five gates here, namely Dilli Darwaza, the main gate of the complex, the Mastani Darwaja, Khidki Darwaja, Ganesh Darwaja, and Jambhul Darwaja. Superstition attached: Many believe that the place is haunted because of the brutal assassination of the 13-year-old Peshwa heir. Many claim to still hear him crying for help on full moon nights. To see: Light and sound show that depicts the story of the fort (7 pm daily).

Aga Khan Palace