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Pune
Jun 30, 2015 12:47:22 GMT
Post by anshjain97 on Jun 30, 2015 12:47:22 GMT
Earlier this month a friend of my parents was getting married in Pune. I decided to go along with him because I wanted to see the city, having not spent any 'meaningful' time here before. Pune is located in the state of Maharashtra in central India and is among the most historical cities of the state, as it was the capital of the mighty Maratha empire in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries. As with many other Indian cities, Pune is rapidly modernising, fueled by growth in the IT sector. For now, it enjoys a sweet spot where it is fairly cosmopolitan yet without the notorious traffic ills and humungous big-city property prices hikes which many other Indian cities suffer today. My hotel was opposite the main railway station. Views from the room. Now to the first sight- Aga Khan Palace, which occupies a significant place in the history of Independence movements of India. Built by an imam (Islamic leader) titled Aga Khan III, this palace was built in 1892 to help the neighbouring villages which were struck by a famine. Mahatma Gandhi, known as 'father of India' who was a freedom figher, was detained here by the British, along with his wife and secretary. His wife had died in the palace itself. Mahatma Gandhi and his wife, Kasturba. Decided to get some snacks from the German Bakery (as the red sign says). It was the victim of a bomb blast few years ago so security is tight. It is also an extremely famous bakery so there are always waiting lines.
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Pune
Jul 1, 2015 1:38:29 GMT
Post by anshjain97 on Jul 1, 2015 1:38:29 GMT
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Pune
Jul 1, 2015 4:10:01 GMT
Post by Deleted on Jul 1, 2015 4:10:01 GMT
It really does appear much calmer than so many other Indian cities, and it looks like it would be a real joy to stroll along some of the streets with a lot of trees.
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Pune
Jul 1, 2015 5:40:08 GMT
Post by htmb on Jul 1, 2015 5:40:08 GMT
Enjoying this very much, Ansh. Looking forward to more.
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Pune
Jul 1, 2015 13:17:20 GMT
Post by anshjain97 on Jul 1, 2015 13:17:20 GMT
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Pune
Jul 2, 2015 5:17:08 GMT
Post by Deleted on Jul 2, 2015 5:17:08 GMT
Looking for more information about Indian wood carving, I saw what a huge industry it is, just making reproductions of these splendid old things. But the real old ones that you show are always more magnificent.
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Pune
Jul 2, 2015 7:31:34 GMT
Post by anshjain97 on Jul 2, 2015 7:31:34 GMT
Indeed Kerouac, wood-carving is a huge trade in India. I guess you would have seen any workshops/etc while in India? A very detailed model of the Taj Mahal. Puppets. And these are leather puppets. Chess board. Another elaborate wood-carving. Back outside- some streets now. A synagogue which is locally known as a church. Just saw from the outside as non-Jews were not allowed inside. It was a short trip so this is all I have... next time, I would like to explore the several forts around the city.
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Pune
Jul 2, 2015 18:29:36 GMT
Post by bjd on Jul 2, 2015 18:29:36 GMT
I'm always interested to see your street pictures, Ansh. Pune definitely looks calmer and cleaner than some other Indian cities.
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Pune
Jul 2, 2015 18:51:02 GMT
Post by Deleted on Jul 2, 2015 18:51:02 GMT
If that last photo is the synagogue, I imagine that it was first built as a church and changed religion later in life. I have never seen a synagogue with a steeple before.
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Pune
Jul 3, 2015 0:04:19 GMT
Post by lagatta on Jul 3, 2015 0:04:19 GMT
It was certainly a church. Many religious buildings have passed from one religion to another. I've seen a former synagogue by the Byward Market in Ottawa that is now some kind of Evangelical church (mostly Haitian faithful, I think) and another here not far from my place that is now a Cao Dai temple. And of course the famous Christian/Muslim and Muslim/Christian takeovers, former Jewish temples and synagogues among the daughter faiths and shrines of what Abrahamic monotheisms call "pagan" beliefs. And that is a Western perspective.
I knew of this city only from the historical events cited; it isn't a city one hears of much in the West in terms of how people live and work there nowadays. It does have pleasant green areas!
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Pune
Jul 3, 2015 2:48:14 GMT
Post by Deleted on Jul 3, 2015 2:48:14 GMT
It should probably be mentioned that a lot of older people in the West know this city as Poona. The name was changed in 1977.
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Pune
Jul 3, 2015 12:06:55 GMT
Post by htmb on Jul 3, 2015 12:06:55 GMT
I really like your street pictures, Ansh, and the museum looks to be quite interesting.
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Pune
Jul 3, 2015 13:46:12 GMT
Post by anshjain97 on Jul 3, 2015 13:46:12 GMT
Thanks all for your feedback.
And thanks for the explanation Kerouac - actually I've seen only a handful of synagogues so I couldn't really distinguish between the synagogue from a church in the exterior.
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Pune
Jul 17, 2015 11:13:53 GMT
Post by bixaorellana on Jul 17, 2015 11:13:53 GMT
Hello Ansh ~ this is great "insider" stuff! Sorry to be responding so late, but I'm traveling & not keeping up with everything very well.
I love models and Pune certainly has some wonderful ones. Are you at all tempted to buy in these places with so much art and folk craft?
Your photography keeps getting better & better. Did you take any pictures of the wedding, or would that have been rude?
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Pune
Jul 17, 2015 11:46:56 GMT
Post by mickthecactus on Jul 17, 2015 11:46:56 GMT
Good report Ansh. You have a nice balance between street scenes, museums and architecture.
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Pune
Jul 17, 2015 14:55:43 GMT
Post by anshjain97 on Jul 17, 2015 14:55:43 GMT
Thanks for the replies. Bixa, I hope you're enjoying Paris!
Actually, I was there for the wedding only for the final parts so missed the main ceremony. Even in that, yes, photography is frowned upon.
I couldn't find a market to buy these models from... but if I could, I would consider buying something unique.
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Pune
Jul 19, 2015 7:41:00 GMT
Post by lugg on Jul 19, 2015 7:41:00 GMT
It certainly does look an interesting place to visit. I really enjoy looking at wood carving so your photos were a treat. I was intrigued by the synagogue as I have seen several with steeples in the Uk and I seem to remember in Boston as well, so did a little research. The synagogue was built by David Sassoon, a Bhaghadi Jew whose family had fled Iran.
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Pune
Jul 31, 2015 14:00:22 GMT
Post by tod2 on Jul 31, 2015 14:00:22 GMT
This report has been most interesting Ansh. Good that you pointed out that beautiful Temple as I noticed a sign underneath saying "Pune City Police"....so it's not a Cop Shop after all Reading through the list of things happening to Gandhi I noted Gandhi's release was on my late mother's birthday, 6th May. I was just a bump at that stage having to reach full term in the November of 1944, when I decided to make an entrance on mother earth. It is a pity there are no photos of the wedding ceremony. Indian weddings have all the colour and pomp that we westerners find fascinating. Oh well, you have shown us a previous wedding I recall??...
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Pune
Aug 1, 2015 13:02:52 GMT
Post by anshjain97 on Aug 1, 2015 13:02:52 GMT
Thanks, tod. I haven't composed a report about a wedding but that's an interesting topic for the future if I could get some pictures... avoiding the actual main ceremony of course- but indeed the festivities are really fun, especially in North Indian weddings.
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Pune
Aug 1, 2015 17:41:45 GMT
Post by Deleted on Aug 1, 2015 17:41:45 GMT
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