I want to take my wife out for a couple of dinners and day and night trips in Pune, but I need to find out what places for couples are in Pune. I have a total of four days where I would just spend time with my wife and take her out. So the more suggestions I get the better.
Hello, @Teerth, welcome to the forum! (Images from Chinmay,Trip Advisor, Preity, Smukherjee and Pakshya) Overview Blessed with abundant greenery, as it is located just on the foothills of the Sahyadri ranges, Pune is a thriving metro city in India. As compared to the nearby city of Mumbai, life in Pune is slower paced yet still very modern. It has become the hub for numerous IT industries and companies too. There are a number of attractions in and around Pune that one can explore. Even for the couples, a number of romantic attractions also line the city. You won't need to reach the hill stations out of Pune, although they're quite lovely, especially if you're rushed for time. With this list, find out which are these places that you can visit in Pune with your special someone, places that have that romantic vibe in them and a bit secluded to have that peace and privacy. Places for Couples in Pune Unexplored religious sites... 1. Pataleshwar Cave Temple - Hidden under the shadow of the more popular Jangali Maharaj Temple, the Pataleshwar Cave Temple is a little known religious site in Pune. Interestingly, this is also one of the oldest religious sites in Pune, with history that can be traced back to the 8th century, during the reign of the Rashtrakuta. The temple is a rock-cut one, made from carving basalt rock. Unfortunately, most of the carvings in the temple were left incomplete due to unknown reasons, though some speculate it's because the area is under a fault line. Regardless, the beauty and serenity of the temple is perfect for couples who just want some time away from the crowds while embracing their spirituality. As you approach the stairs leading down to the temple, you'd be greeted by a Nandi mandapa, a huge canopy shaped like an umbrella with a statue of Nandi inside it. Venture further to reach the main sanctum where you can pay your respects to Lord Shiva. Explore the surroundings, where you can view the unfinished carvings of animals and other figures. At the centre is a courtyard surrounded by pillars, where you can meditate or just spend some time relaxing. There is also a shrine dedicated to the trio of Sita, Rama and Laxman, with marble statues that gleam in daylight. The Pataleshwar Cave Temple is located in a crowded area of Pune, yet still remains under the radar of both tourists and locals. A must visit place for the couples who want to have their spirituality strengthened but want to avoid overly crowded religious sites. Location - Shivaji Nagar Best Time to Visit - Early Morning Pataleshwar Cave Temple (Image from Kevin Standage) 2. Neelkantheshwar Temple - Yet another lesser known religious site in Pune is the Neelkantheshwar Temple. As you might have guessed from the name, the temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva. But truly, it's a temple unlike any other, set amidst a hillock, only approachable by foot for about a kilometre after an hour's drive away from Pune's city centre. The trip and trek is all worth it though, as you reach the peak of the hillock and take a stroll around the numerous statues depicting different scenes from Hindu mythological stories. Relish in your spirituality by viewing real-life statues depicting scenes from the epics of Ramayana and Mahabharata. For Vishnu devotees, all the ten dashavatara of the Hindu deity can be viewed here as well. Statues of Jesus and Lord Buddha can also be found here. And finally, you can't miss seeing the scenic views of the dams of Panshet and Khadakwasla from the peak. When visited during the monsoon season, though the trek can be challenging, the views of the surrounding greenery would be mesmerising. Location - Kondhur Best Time to Visit - Early Morning Of history and serenity in one place... 3. Aga Khan Palace - The Aga Khan Palace is one of Pune's most iconic landmarks. Built by Sir Sultan Mohammed Aga Khan III during the end of the 18th century, this palace was mostly known for housing both Mahatma Gandhi and Kasturba Gandhi during the freedom movement era. It is also here where Kasturba Gandhi breathed her last. The palace is also known now as the Mahatma Gandhi National Memorial, holding the samadhis of both Mahatma Gandhi and Kasturba Gandhi. In such light, it's hard to believe that the palace is a little known attraction in the city. It is not that well maintained too, in the sense that it hasn't been restored to its full glory. Couples though can take advantage of the utmost serenity of the place. The well-manicured gardens is the perfect spot for some quality time together. Browse through history as you enter the palace proper, where there are various paintings, sculptures, photographs and personal memorabilia of different freedom movement personalities can be found. Location - Kalyani Nagar Best Time to Visit - Morning or Early Afternoon Aga Khan Palace (Image from Ian Keating) 4. Tung Fort - The Tung Fort was built during the 16th century by the Adil Shahi dynasty. It was constantly captured and recaptured by various dynasties thereafter. Tung Fort doesn't have strong nor long walls, nor does it have majestic inner structures. It was mainly constructed as a watch tower so that the soldiers back then can observe the roads leading into Pune and protect them. Much of the fort is in ruins now but the enjoyable part of visiting the fort is the trek itself. The trek takes you through lush jungles and clear water streams. It is also not visited as much by tourists, unlike the nearby Lohagad Fort. As such, you and your loved one can enjoy the rocky terrains to reach the fort and the solitude on the top. The views of the surrounding mountains from the top is every bit as romantic as well. Visit the Ganesha Mandir and the different water reservoirs on top too to have that glimpse of the past. Location - Tungiwadi Best Time to Visit - Early Morning Something about the calm water... 5. Pawana Lake - Located just before the hill station of Lonavala is the Pawana Lake. Yes, it is located a bit further from the city centre but it's worth the trip if you want some place away from the crowds with your loved one. The Pawana Lake is created from the damming of the Pawana river, also known as the Pavana river. If you like scenic views, clear blue waters surrounded by mountain ranges all around, Pawana Lake can give you that and more. A boat ride amidst the water of the lake can be just the laid-back romantic activity you need. There's not much to do here but gaze at each other's eyes, chat about your days and just hold hands while enjoying the beautiful views all around. Make sure you reach the place just before sunset as the views of the sun setting behind the mountains add to the romance vibe. Location - Ravet Best Time to Visit - Sunset Pawana Lake (Image from Exploring Aves) 6. Khadakwasla Lake - The Khadakwasla Dam supplies for the water for the Khadakwasla Lake. The dam is actually the main source of water for the locality of Pune. It is located en route to the famous Sinhagad Fort though isn't known by many tourists. For the couples, the lake is a nice getaway, far from the crowded scenes of the main tourist attractions in Pune. During monsoon season, the gates of the dam are opened to let the water flow into the lake. This is the scene that you would want to look out for, when gushing water fills the entire lake reservoir area. Behind the dam area, there are various street food stalls where you can buy some snacks in. Enjoy a small picnic with your loved one as you stare at the distant views of the mountains along with the water of the lake. Location - Khadakwasla Village Best Time to Visit - Early Morning For the adventurous ones... 7. Taljai Hill - Right at the heart of Pune is the lush forest area of Taljai Hill. It's such an amazing contrast to the concrete jungles of the city, an environment filled with plants and wildlife all around. The Taljai Hill is famous for the Taljai Temple, probably the most crowded part of the hill. The further you venture into the hill, the lesser the people are and the closer you get with one another. The hill is blessed with natural flora and fauna, in the form of common plants and animals like rabbits, peacocks and other bird species. There are various stone benches too within the hill where you can sit, relax and have some quality bonding time with your better half. You can also enjoy a panoramic view of the city of Pune from the peak of the hill. This place is open for visitors from 5:00 to 10:00 in the morning and from 4:30 to 7:00 in the evening. Location - Sahakar Nagar Best Time to Visit - Early Morning Taljai Hill (Image from Kambletrupti) 8. Vetal Hill - The Vetal Hill is the highest point in Pune, popular amongst the locals of the city. It is sometimes referred to as the lungs of the city of Pune. The assortment of colours here, whether you visit in monsoon, winter or summer, is astounding. It's hard to imagine that such a place exists right at the city of Pune. Many locals use the hill as a jogging track although trails are not that well-maintained in here. For the lovers, the relative solitude and privacy that the hill offers are enough for them. As such, you can spot a few couples sitting in the grassy areas of the hill and spending some quality time together. For the devout couples, they can also visit the Vetal Baba Temple located at the peak of the temple. There are also two more Hanuman temples in different areas of the hill. Make sure to avoid the fenced areas as these are observation grounds setup by the Indian Army. So what are you waiting for? Get lost in the jungles, find solace in each other's arms, only in the Vetal Hill in Pune. Location - Bhamburda Van Vihar Best Time to Visit - Early Morning Lush greenery all around... 9. Pu La Deshpande Garden - If you don't have much time for trekking, venture into the Pu La Deshpande Garden instead. Filled with lots of greenery and colourful flowers, the garden is setup for the perfect romantic day out of couples. It can get crowded during late mornings and early evenings though so make sure you reach it early in the morning or late in the evening. It remains open until 10:30 in the morning only and from 4:00 until 8:00 pm in the evening. The garden is also referred to as the Pune Okayama Friendship Garden and is modelled after the Koraku Garden in Okayama. There are designated walking paths so guests won't step on the grass areas. Different water works like canals and a lake make the garden even more gorgeous. There are many benches too so that couples and other guests can spend some time together within the garden. With all the greenery around you, it's hard to imagine that everything is man-made, that's really the unique aspect of the Pu La Deshpande Garden. Location - Dattawadi Best Time to Visit - Early Morning or Late Evening Pu La Deshpande Garden (Image from Sarah Qureshi) 10. Osho Garden - Last on the list is the smaller green area of Osho Garden, located in Koregaon in Pune. It is also located close to the Osho Ashram, another prime attraction of Pune. The garden doesn't have any entry fees so for those couples in a budget can venture to it without any heavy feeling on their pockets. The garden is open only for a few hours in a day from 6:00 to 9:00 in the morning and from 3:00 to 6:00 in the evening. As you enter the garden, lush greenery would greet you. Venture into the central part of the garden and you'd find a stream-like reservoir which adds to the serenity of the place. Wooden pathways transport you to a different country, like China or Japan. Thus, the Osho Garden is the best place to get lost in time with your loved one, amidst the company of greenery and gurgling of the water works. Location - Koregaon Best Time to Visit - Early Morning or Early Evening Conclusion Even with just a few days in Pune, you can venture into these romantic places and have some quality time with your loved one. Aspects like quiet, solitude, serenity and scenery can all be enjoyed within these attractions. If you still have the time, why not venture into these lovely weekend getaways from Pune? Enjoy and have fun with your better half!
