One day Picnic spots in Pune
Pune is known for its vibrancy and is known as ‘Oxford of the East’. Exams are getting over and many kids have a vacation coming up ahead. Parents insist them to join Hobby Classes, Summer Camps, Art and other classes which will keep them active and this may add onto their knowledge which will be helpful in their future studies or overall development. Before the pandemic many families used to go on a day`s picnic with friends and families. Hereby we have found few one day picnic spots where you can visit and have a fun time with your kids and their friends.
1) Shaniwar Wada:
This majestic fort dates back to 1732, to the era of the Peshwas of the iconic Maratha Empire. The foundation stone for this thirteen-storied fort was laid down by Peshwa Bajirao and the fort is said to have housed as many as ten thousand people at that time. The entrance to the fort is marked by an impressive statue of Peshwa Bajirao himself, who seems to greet the visitors looking for a glimpse into the history while having a fun filled day with friends and family. The Wada is located at Shaniwar Peth which is in the heart of the city.
Wada Timings: 8 am to 6.30 pm everyday
There is a Light show conducted in English and Marathi every day.
The timings are 7:15pm to 8:10pm (Marathi Show) and 8:15pm to 9:10pm (English Show)
Entry Fee:
Rs. 5/- per ticket for Indians
Rs. 125/- per ticket for Foreigners
Rs. 25/- per ticket for Light and Sound Show
2) P.L. Deshpande Garden
P.L.Deshpande Garden or Okayama Friendship Garden is a symbol of Indo-Japanese friendship between partner cities of Pune and Okayama. This garden is truly a pride of Pune. This is the biggest garden of Japanese style out of Japan, in Asia. The idea of recreating the original Japanese garden in Pune was, of course, inspired from the 300-year old Okayama Korakuen Garden developed by Ikeda Royal family in the 12 specious hectares in Okayama. The Japanese garden is spread over an area of 10 acres, representing the culture and intricate ideology of an authentic Japanese Garden. One can enjoy the wide Lawns, Ponds, Artificial hills and Forest, While listening to the murmur of meandering stream. There are wooden pergolas to sit and rest. There are bright red orange fish in the ponds. This Garden is located at Narveer Tanaji Malusare Path, Sinhagad Road.
Garden Timings: Morning – 6 am to 10.30 pm & Evening – 4 pm to 8 pm
Entry Fee: Rs. 5/- per ticket
3) Rajiv Gandhi Zoological Park, Pune
The Rajiv Gandhi Zoological park and Wildlife research centre is located on Opposite Katraj Dairy,
Pune-Satara Road, Katraj. The Zoo is spread across 130 acres of land and has a snake park, a zoo and an animal orphanage. They also have a wildlife research centre which serves as an animal orphanage, rescue centre and care centre for animals. The zoo organizes various animal welfare activities, environmental awareness events and guided tours too. And it is a must-visit place for nature lovers, experience seekers, and wildlife enthusiasts. Due to covid-19 pandemic the Zoo was closed from more than 2 years. It has been made open for visitors, wildlife enthusiasts from 14th March 2022. To visit the Zoo you need to be double vaccinated and upon showing the certificate you will be given a ticket.
You can see Leopard, White Tiger, Bengal Tiger, Sloth Bears, Sambhars, Barking Deers, Blackbucks, Monkeys and elephants. In the snake park there is Indian Rock Python, Cobra, Vipers, King Cobra, reptiles includes, crocodiles, indian star tortoise, variety of birds peafowl, Peacock, vultures and Eagles.
You can walk the entire route by yourself or the park has a facility of battery operated vehicles also. The Park is located at Katraj.
Entry Fee:
| Adult ( Above 4 feet 4 inches) | 25/- |
| Child ( Below 4 feet 4 inches) | 10/- |
| Blind & Handicapped Persons (on providing proof) | FREE |
| Foreigners Students
(School Trips- Accompanied by teachers) |
100/- |
| Students of Private Schools Students (School Trips- Accompanied by teachers) |
10/- per person |
| Students of PMC, ZP & Government Schools | 5/- per person |
| Still Camera | 50/- |
| Video Camera | 200/- |
| Guide (If Available- per group) | 50/- |
Battery Operated Vehicle Rates:
| Adult ( Above 4 feet 4 inches) | 40/- |
| Child ( Below 4 feet 4 inches) | 25/- |
Zoo Timings:
9.30 am to 6.00 pm.
The zoo is open on Monday, Tuesday and from Thursday to Sunday. On Wednesday its Closed.
4) Empress Botanical Garden, Pune
Empress Botanical Garden is a green paradise in the heart of Pune spread across 39 acres. It is an institution of living collection of plants, a centre of public education, major recreational place for the citizens and most of all, conserve Pune’s natural environment & biodiversity for the generations to come. A rare & towering trees with dense green foliage, giant climbers is a green heritage site not only to this city but for the state of Maharashtra. Their mission is to conserve native biodiversity, establish a centre for scientific research and environmental education with to provide an unique ecotourism destination for the citizens of Pune. One can enjoy the Plant nursery spread across 5 acres, Children Play area with latest equipment’s and a fountain, Nana-Nani park exclusively for Senior citizens, A Fern house, organic farming, display boards with information & there is also a centre for environment and art established recently to impart knowledge, undertake research and to provide hands-on experience to various age groups visiting the Garden. Every year fruit flower & vegetable show is organized here. This is located near Race Course, Kavade Mala, Camp
Garden Timings: 9 am to 5 pm
Entry Fee: Rs. 15/- per ticket
5) Pataleshwar Caves
The Pataleshwar Caves are devoted to Lord Pataleshwar, The God of Underworld. Earlier visitors used to visit this caves to admire its Architectural Beauty. Its said that this place was carved out of a single rock. It is also dedicated to the Lord Shiva and Nandi. There are also statues of various Hindu Gods and Goddesses such as Goddess Sita, Goddess Lakshmi, Lord Ram, Lord Lakshman, and Lord Ganesh. A majestic shivalingam is also built under its roof, at the main shrine of the temple. This temple has huge pillars, adding on to its magnificence. The construction of this temple, which was inspired by the Elephanta caves, was left uncompleted. Owing to this, there is no marked entrance to Pataleshwar Cave Temple. One of the way to enter it via an open area next to a majestic banyan tree. A more known temple, Jangli Maharaj Mandir, which has the samadhi of Jangli maharaj, a follower of Swami Samarth, is located close by. There is also way inside the JM temple complex to reach this cave temple. Visitors are expected to wear proper clothes to respect the decorum of a temple. It is also a place of worship for many Hindus. Pataleshwar Cave Temple is now under the maintenance of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI). Pataleshwar Caves are located on Jungli Maharaj Road, Revenue Colony, Shivaji Nagar.
Timings: 8 am to 5.30 pm everyday
There is no Entry Fee taken here.
Hope you will find this information handy and visit these places to have fun-filled day with your friends and families.
