Parvati to Mandai Circuit
From hilltop temples down through Peshwa-era museums into the old city's loudest market.
A descent from the Parvati hill shrines into the warren of Sadashiv Peth, ending in the colour and chaos of Mandai. Equal parts contemplation and commerce.
The walk
Stop 1 of 8
More sketches of Parvati Temples
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103 steps lead up to a cluster of stone temples built by Peshwa Balaji Bajirao in 1749. From the parapet you can see the whole of old Pune, and on clear mornings the Sahyadris ripple along the horizon.
tip
Spend ~45 min at this stop
~12 min walk · 0.9 km
Stop 2 of 8
Originally an island shrine in a Peshwa-era lake, Saras Baug today is a wide lawn ringed by old trees and snack stalls. The small Ganesh temple in the middle is one of the city's most-visited.
tip
Spend ~30 min at this stop
~15 min walk · 1.1 km
Stop 3 of 8
More sketches of Raja Dinkar Kelkar Museum
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This amazing and interesting private collection of rare antiques, by Dr Dinkar Kelkar in memory of his son, is now open to the public. The museum's recreated Mastani Mahal alone is worth the visit.
tip
Spend ~60 min at this stop
~2 min walk · 0.1 km
Stop 4 of 8
More sketches of Shani Paar
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A small platform-shrine to Saturn that gives its name to the whole surrounding chowk. Saturdays bring a brisk trade in oil, sesame, and black-cloth offerings.
tip
Spend ~10 min at this stop
Bite here
Sujata Mastani
Dessert · ₹₹
~2 min walk · 0.1 km
Stop 5 of 8
More sketches of Vishrambaug Wada
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Three storeys of teak balconies, carved cypress pillars, and a famous painted ceiling — Vishrambaug was Bajirao II's "garden of rest". Part of the wada is now a postal office, the rest a small museum.
tip
Spend ~30 min at this stop
Bite here
Bedekar Misal
Misal · ₹
~3 min walk · 0.2 km
Stop 6 of 8
More sketches of Tulshibaug Ram Mandir
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Built by Naro Appaji Khire in 1761, the temple's slim shikhara rises above a maze of utensil and bangle stalls. The annual Ram Navami procession spills out of here into the whole old city. The beautiful wooden temple structure is being lovingly restored.
tip
Spend ~20 min at this stop
Bite here
Vaidya Upahar Gruha
Misal / Maharashtrian · ₹
Bite here
Amruttulya Chai
Tea · ₹
~2 min walk · 0.2 km
Stop 7 of 8
More sketches of Mahatma Phule Mandai
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Pune's grand 19th-century covered market. Eight wings radiating from a Gothic clock tower — a sensory carnival of flowers, vegetables, and conversation.
tip
Spend ~30 min at this stop
~3 min walk · 0.2 km
Stop 8 of 8
From 4 am, traders unload jasmine, marigold, and rose from the Ghats, and temple priests, hotels, and wedding decorators bid in low voices. By 9 am the colour is gone.
tip
Spend ~15 min at this stop
End of walk
8 stops · 4.8 km · 279 min