There are many historical monuments in India that hold a certain charm about themselves, even till today and undoubtedly, Aga Khan Palace is one of them. Built by Muhammed Shah Aga Khan III in 1892, this incredible edifice is sited in Pune.
Historically, many great moments have unfolded here which were related to India’s independence and has been quite an instrumental part of the freedom struggle. For instance, this was the site where Mahatma Gandhi along with his wife Kasturba Gandhi, Sarojini Naidu, and Mahadev Desai were held as prisoners.
The palace is spread in about 19 acres of land and currently acts as the headquarters of Gandhi National Memorial society. What’s perhaps best to know is that till today Khadi making is one of the prime activities of this palace. Visiting here, one can find a great collection of historical pictures as well. And not many people would know but it was here that the ashes of Mahatma Gandhi were buried.
Hearing all this, if you too want to witness this tourist attraction which once played a significant role in India’s independence then October to February is the best time to visit Aga Khan Palace. The timings to visit the Palace are from Monday to Friday 9:00 am to 5:30 pm. And the entry fee is INR 5 for locals, INR 2 for children, and INR 100 for foreign nationals.
History of Aga Khan Palace
As far as modern history is concerned, the Aga Khan Palace is deeply associated with the father of our nation - Mahatma Gandhi. This is so, as it was in this premises that Mahatma Gandhi along with Kasturba Gandhi and his secretary Mahadev Desai were interned in the Palace from August 9, 1942, to May 6, 1944. Furthermore, in 1969, Aga Khan donated the palace to commemorate Gandhi and his philosophy.
Major Attractions in and Around Aga Khan Palace
This palace was once considered as the legendary seat of the Peshwa governance. It was built by Peshwa Bajirao I covering an area of about 625 acres. Today, although it may not have its original charm, yet it is flocked by both domestic and foreign nationals frequently. It is one of the best places to visit near Aga Khan Palace.
2. Vetal Tekdi
This is considered as one of the most prominent landmarks of Pune. Due to its beauty, many tourists come here for spending quality time with their loved ones. Other names by which Vetal Tekdi is known as are Hanuman Tekdi, MIT Tekdi, and Pashan Tekdi.
3. Lal Mahal
It is located in close proximity to Shaniwar Wada. Built in the 16th century, this place, in particular, has been subject to various attacks by the foreign invaders. However, it has been restored multiple times as well. For the first time, it was restored by Shivaji’s father Shahji Bhosle in the decade of 1630s. It won’t be wrong to say that Lal Mahal, as a historical monument, signifies the great valour of our kings during those times. Due to such high significance, this is a must-visit travel destination in Pune.
4. Dagdusheth Halwai Ganpati Temple
As the name suggests, this place has been devoted to the worship of Lord Ganapati. On a yearly basis, it witnesses a great number of followers coming here to attend the daily Puja, Abhisheka ceremony along with Aarti of Lord Ganesha. The idol of Lord Ganesha present here is about 2.2. meters in height and about 1 metre in its width.
How to Reach Aga Khan Palace
Pune is the kind of city where you can hope to spend some great time with your loved ones. Pune is sited at an approximate distance of 1,457, 148, 2,065, and 842 km from Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata and Bengaluru respectively. Here is how you can reach Aga Khan Palace, Pune.
By Air
The nearest airport from Aga Khan Palace is the Pune International Airport located (approx) 15 km away. It has fairly good connectivity with nearby cities. Once you deboard at the airport, you can easily take a cab or some other means of transportation to reach here.
By Train
If you are planning a trip by train, then deboard at the Pune Junction. Once you get off the train, you will need to take a cab or some other means of transportation like an autorickshaw to reach the palace as it is sited at an approximate distance of 6-7 km.
By Road
The city of Pune has great good connectivity via well-maintained motorable road networks. To travel, you can book a bus online, hire a cab or as per your convenience, self-drive to Pune.
You can plan your trip and create your own route to the city with Adotrip’s technically driven circuit planner. Click here
