Nature: Mimosa Tree / Pink Silk Tree

 

Place: Pune, India 

- Rahul Tiwary

Travelogue: A Walk in the Park in Pune

 

- Rahul 

Travelogue: Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Park near Dange Chowk, Thergaon, Pune

Very near to Dange Chowk, Thergaon, Pune, there used to be a municipal park along with a statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. Recently this same park has been renovated and upgraded into a theme-based park by Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC). Of late several new parks have been developed by PCMC in the Chinchwad area and it is a good trend. 

You can find it on Google Maps here. 

Here are some of the pictures from the park:

(Above) The statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj

(Above) The beautiful garden provides shade and a peaceful sitting 

(Above) A giant saffron flag (pataka) can be seen proudly in the sky

(Above) The park has this theme of wall murals depicting the whole life of Shivaji Maharaj; starting from his birth as seen above

(Above) An exhibition in the form of series of wall murals can be seen inside the park

(Above) Another wall mural showing victory of Shivaji in the South India. Do you know that Shiva ji had spread his empire till Tamil Nadu? In 1677 Shiva ji had invaded Madras and you can read about it in the Hindu newspaper here. 

(Above) The skyline of the park is dominated by the Shivaji Maharaj statue

(Above) The beautiful gate to the park; at Dange Chowk, Thergaon

(Above) The flyover at Dange Chowk is also named "Shri Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Udan Pul, Thergaon"

(Above) Wonderful wall murals at the park showing different stages of Shivaji Maharaj's life

The entry to the park is free. Though the park seems to be still developing and a few sections may be added in the future. Kids were seen touching these murals and I saw a kid applying force to check how strong an elephant's trunk was! I stopped him and asked him not to touch it; but in the meanwhile the kid did beak a small bell from the neck of a bullock's statue. Feeling guilty, he picked it up and tried to install it back on the statue without success. I helped him do that but not before hurting my finger a bit. :) I think protective chains need to be installed before these murals so that they can be viewed but still remain safe. Also, it seems there will be a shade built to protect these murals from the rains - as of now these stand in the open sky and hence dust and water can harm those. 

The park is situated at the very busy Dange Chowk and there is no other place so near to the buzzing junction which is so calm and peaceful. Appreciation goes to the municipal corporation and government for making this park a wonderful and inspiring place to visit.

- Rahul Tiwary | April 2019

Travelogue: Gyanjyoti Savitribai Phule Udyan (Garden), Jagtap Dairy, Pune

Gyanjyoti Savitribai Phule Udyan (Garden) at Jagtap Dairy, near Pimple Saudagar, Pune is a wonderful new park developed by Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation. It was inaugurated by MLA Mr. Laxman Jagtap. A few years ago, this area was not developed and it is wonderful to see this splendid park come up.

The park is named after Savitribai Phule (3 January 1831 – 10 March 1897) who was a social reformer, educationalist and poet from Maharashtra. Along with her husband, Jyotirao Phule, she played an important role in improving women's rights in India during British rule.

The park is very popular and is flocked by visitors (above)

Park has this hill like areas where children can climb as if climbing a small mountain. They can also be seen tumbling down or running down the slope and certainly small kids enjoy this slope too much (above)

Kids and elders alike can be seen playing all over the park (above)

There is a separate playing area with lots of wonderful rides for kids (above)

Planted saplings can be seen (above)

Nearby buildings make an impressive scene from the park (above)

Flowers! (above)

There is an open amphitheater, perhaps still under development (above)

Amazing hilltop (above)

Beautiful flowers in the park (above)

Outside the park gate "horse rides" and "camel rides" are available for kids (above)

In the evenings, the park opens at 4 pm till 8pm. There is nominal entry fee of Rs 10 for visitors above 12 years of age. 

The park is very well maintained and is used for morning/evening walkers as well as those visiting for fun or having relaxing time. 

If you are around, this is certainly a much recommended place to visit!

- Rahul Tiwary | March 2019

Travelogue: Laxmibai Barne Udyan near Dange Chowk, Thergaon, Pune

Laxmibai Barne Udyan (Garden) is a big public park in Gujar Nagar, Thergaon area near Dange Chowk and Wakad in Pune. The park has a children's playing area with several rides; a joggers track; a meditation center; an amphitheater and an open gym. 

In the mornings, the park entry is free of cost while in the evenings, it charges a nominal fee of Rs 2 per visitor. 

The park is always buzzing with small kids who enjoy the rides and play in the greenery and a natural environment. At a time when open spaces are shrinking, such public parks are a boon to the society and government and local municipalty should be appreciated for very well-maintained status of this public park. 

- Rahul Tiwary | Pune | Jan 2019

Travelogue: Garden inside Aditya Birla Memorial Hospital Pune

Visit to a hospital is mostly stressful. But imagine a hospital which has such a beautiful garden inside it that for a moment you forget if you have come to a hospital or to a park! Aditya Birla Memorial Hospital (ABMH), Pune is one such hospital. Just treat yourself with following pictures for example:

- Rahul Tiwary | Pune | Jan 2019