We know that monsoon is the best time to explore western ghats, and if I talk about the urban side of ghats, Pune is the 1^st name that strikes my mind. If you happen to be in this beautiful city for any reason and don’t know how to spend the whole day or where to start from, stop worrying! I’ve prepared the whole day itinerary for the wanderers like you.

• Begin your day with the blessings of Lord Ganesha-

Just hire a cab and come down to Dagdusheth Halwai Ganpati temple, just 4 km from the Pune Junction. It is well-renowned, well-maintained and one of the most admired temples with good ambiance. The place has its own charm. The surreal and serene surroundings don’t fail to provide you inner peace. It is a delight to see the artistic work of the temple. Reach here early morning to attend its Suprabhatam Aarti at 7:30 a.m.

• Head towards Shaniwar Wada Fort-

Just stroll down the streets and head towards this historical fort which is barely a km away from the Ganpati temple. This place gives a sense of calmness and history in the middle of a bustling city. This place renders you an ample opportunity to polish your photography skills. It opens at 9 am so reach here beforehand to avoid long queues for entry tickets. You can easily spend half an hour here.

• Have a wholesome breakfast-

Before moving ahead, it’s the time to feed your stomach. You’ll have a great number of food joints nearby with veg and non-veg food options. Satisfy those small needs of your tummy before visiting your next destination. Chai and Bun-Maska are what you should try at Café Goodluck or Café Garden on MG Road. If you like authentic Marathi meals, try sabudaana vada at Mathura Restaurant situated at JM Road. Don’t forget to buy Shrewsbury Biscuits and Mawa Cake from Kayani Bakery at MG Road.

• Move on to the iconic Pataleshwar Cave Temple-

Located at a distance of just one km from the above-mentioned fort, is this ancient rock-cut cave temple. This Shiva temple holds the utmost importance in history, aesthetical beliefs, and tourism as well. One of the top places of sight-seeing in Pune, this place is maintained by ASI. This temple is believed to have been cut out from a single rock.

• Visit the astonishing museum-

With less than one km radius of the Pataleshwar temple is this Raja Dinkar Kelkar Museum with an entry fee of Rs 50 bucks and 100 for each mobile phones you carry. It has an erotic nutcracker collection of musical instruments, wood carvings, sculptures, clothes, lights, and various household items. It easily takes 1-1.5 hour walk inside for those who love to explore the royal antique collection.

• It’s time for food and shopping-

There are lots of eatery points near the museum where you can enjoy lip-smacking food. After serving your tummy, serve yourself with the most pleasurable thing, i.e., shopping! Rush towards Camp for the ever-loved Fashion Street or spend a few hours on Law College Road. It captures the oldies as well as the latest trend. You’ll get numerous varieties of different pieces of stuff at reasonable prices. Just try to get yourself free by 5 pm.

• Adore the stunning sunset-

Hire a cab for Parvati hill that usually takes 30 minutes to reach. The Parvati temple at the top of the hillock (103 stairs) is one of the most picturesque locations and oldest heritage structure in Pune. Cool breeze welcomes you at the top, de-stresses you and gives you a mesmerizing view of the whole city. One can witness the astonishing sunset here in the evening.

• Enjoy the nightlife-

If you didn’t enjoy Pune’s nightlife, you have literally missed something great. There are numerous discotheques and pubs in the city where you can show your body moves, eat delicacies, try a beer and whatever you crave for! Koregaon Park and Balewadi High Street are my personal favorites.

Or if you don’t want to stay in the city and enjoy the hills, waterfalls, and lush surroundings, consider options such as Mulshi, Tamhini Ghat, or Malshej Ghat. They offer nice resorts to stay and restaurants to relish local food. Don’t wait more, just hire a car or bike to explore the best of the ghats.

So this was a brief 24-hour Pune trip. Make most of your time in this Maharashtrian city and share your experience with us!