Pune

Pune (पुणे in Marathi), formerly Punavadi and Poona (पूना in Marathi), Maharashtra state, western India, is situated at the confluence of the Mula and Mutha rivers. Called the ?Queen of the Deccan,? Pune is the cultural capital of the Marathi people. According to the 2001 census provisional results, it had a population of 3,755,000 in 2001. This figure includes the population of the city of Pimpri-Chinchwad which is the industrial twin of Pune. The combined population of the metropolitan region would be between 4.5 to 5 million in 2004. Marathi is the language of the majority of the people residing here. This decade has seen a sizeable investment in the software and automobile sector, in the city. This has prompted a huge influx of youth from all over the country. Several suburbs are now completely cosmopolitan, and real-estate prices have boomed.

Culture

During the months of August or September each year, the city celebrates the Hindu festival of Ganesh Chaturthi. The festival culminates in a carnival-like procession along the busy thoroughfares of the city. This is one of the most important yearly events in the city. Indeed, it was in Pune that Lokmanya Tilak initiated the concept of the "Sarvajinik Ganeshotsav" - the collective communal celebration of the festival of Lord Ganesha. The city also has an active theatre community.

Related Topics:
Ganesh Chaturthi - Ganesha

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In the month of December Pune plays host to the Sawai Gandharva Music Festival. Many renowned performers of Hindustani classical music perform through 3 consecutive nights creating an extravaganza which is unique to this city.

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Pune is the birth place of Meher Baba as well as the home of Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh. Rajneesh's Osho Ashram helps bring a very international flair to the city. Situated amidst nature, the center boasts of a big meditation center and two beautiful gardens, viz. Osho garden and Zen garden.

Related Topics:
Meher Baba - Rajneesh

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Pune has been one of the centers of the neo-Buddhist revival movement begun by B. R. Ambedkar in 1956. It also houses the headquarters of the Trailokya Bauddha Mahasangha Gana, the Indian affiliate of the Friends of the Western Buddhist Order.

Related Topics:
Neo-Buddhist - B. R. Ambedkar - 1956 - Friends of the Western Buddhist Order

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Close to Pune City are the villages Alandi and Dehu where sant Dyaneshwar and sant Tukaram belong. Each year thousands of pilgrimes

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from all over Maharashtra gather here and start 'Wari' which is procession carrying 'palhikis' of sant Dyaneshwar and sant Tukaram to

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Pandharpur. Pandharpur is home to Lord Vitthal and is about 300 km from Pune. All pilgrimes walk out this distance to reach Pandharpur on auspicious day of 'Aashasdi Ekadasshi' when the 'Wari' ends.

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The Backhills of Pune are becoming known for their immense spiritual value. People from other countries and other parts of India go to these schools to study the Vedas, and other holy scriptures of Hinduism.

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