How To Explore Pune When You Are There For Bacardi NH7 Weekender 2018

Hear ye, hear ye For NH7 Weekender is here and you need to be wherever this multi-city music festival takes you. Bacardi NH7 Weekender 2018 will begin in Shillong, a haven for all music lovers. November 2-3 is when you should be in Shillong but for now we are going to give you a little intro on the festival. And what better than to talk about the parent-city Pune. The multi-city music festival is anything but small. One of the largest music festivals in India that pulls thousands of attendees per hosting city. The festival is big and why not when a host of great talents take to the stage to help you channel that inner musical genius in you. In the past, cities like Shillong, Kolkata, Bengaluru, Goa, Hyderabad, among many others hosted the festival with music from artists like Steve Vai, Megadeth, Steven Wilson, A.R Rahman, Anoushka Shankar, Pentagram, and these are just some of the many popular artists who have graced the festival.

You can never have too much of music, but in case that even happens, the city you are in for the festival will have many distractions to temporarily divert your mind from music so you can feel refreshed and hit the next city for the next event. Though the festival begins with Shillong, we decided we should first pay our respect to the parent city-Pune. If you feel the need to do something else in the city, here are eight different ways to do it.

Bacardi NH 7 Weekender 2018 will come to Pune on December 7-9. Check here for tickets to the festival.

Aga Khan Palace

This 1892 monument built by Sultan Muhammad Shah Khan III has an important history to it. After the Quit India Movement, Mahatma Gandhi, Kasturba Gandhi and Mahadev Desai were held in captivity here from August 1942 to May 1944. And if we go further back in tje history, Sultan Muhammad Shah Aga Khan III had built this palace so that the famine-stricken villagers could get an employment. Go check the monument out while you are in Pune.

Adlabs Imagica
Nitro Roller Coaster, Deep Space, Gold Rush, Dare to Drop, Scream Machine will test your threshold for adventure and fun (some may read this as 'fear'). Once you are done screaming (with joy), take a lazy coaster ride of Salimgarh, the town of the lores. Nothing important here, it's just terrifying visuals with equally nerve-wrecking sound effects. Fun

Shaniwar Wada

The erstwhile seat of the Peshwas, Shaniwar Wada was the home of Bajirao I (hint Bajirao Mastani). The complex is pure joy to the fans of architecture. The present-day refurbished complex consists of Dilli Darwaza (a mammoth of a door), palace fountain, beautiful jharokhas and gardens.

Parvati Hills

Parvati Hills is home to Punes oldest structure&mdashParvati Temple. Not the religious type No problem. The site also serve as a great observation point. From here one can get a sweeping view of the city. The hill has five temples on top of it, Peshwa Museum, an old Buddhist Cave on the way uphill.

FC Road
One can't help but love FC Road to call it a hub is an understatement. FC is derived from Fergusson College. Roadside curio shops, food stalls and colourful shops are ideal for casual hangouts with friends. Do not leave FC Road without the famous tea and bun maska from Good Luck Cafe. 

Bhaja Caves

Twenty-two rock-cut caves dating back to the second century BC constitute Bhaja Caves. These caves have stupas, inscriptions and reliefs that depict Indian mythology, forms of dance and music and lifestyle from thousands of years ago. The caves are quite a sight with stone pillars and cave walls with intricate carvings.

Lohagad Fort
Situated at an elevation of 1,033m above sea level, Lohagad Fort is a great hike if you are up for it. The hill fort is popular with trekkers and draws in a lot of visitors during monsoon. The spot is also great for birding. On the way to Lohagad Fort, take a small detour and you will reach Bhaja Caves.

Pataleshvara Cave Temple
The basalt rock temple, dedicated to Shiva, is a rock-cut cave temple dating back to the 8th century. One of the attractions, the shrine of Nandi sits in the cave courtyard. The cave walls have sculptures depicting portions from the Indian mythology. Complete with sanctums and exquisitely carved pillars, Pataleshvara cave temple is a visit worth your time.