Shaniwar Wada

Shaniwar Wada (Saturday Palace) situated in Shaniwar Peth, near the city railway station is a palace fort of the great rulers of Peshwa dynasty in Pune. Shaniwarwada derived its name from the Marathi words ‘Shaniwar’ (Saturday) and ‘Wada’ means residence complex. The palace was a 13 storied building built by Peshwa Baji Rao I in 1732, which was destroyed by a big fire in 1828. One can find the remains of the fortification walls, a huge gateway, small five gates and nine bastions that enclosed the entire palace. Dilli Darwaza (Delhi Gate), the twenty-one feet high gate is the main entrance of the fort, facing north towards Delhi. The magnificient Dilli Darwaza gatehouse has five gateways such as Mastani or Alibahadur Darwaja, Khidki Darwaja, Ganesh Darwaja and Narayan Darwaja. The palace was later renovated and made several additions, including residential quarters, audience halls, offices, courtyards, impressive gardens, fountains and reservoirs.

Shaniwar Wada signifies Maratha culture. The architecture of the palace is the best example of Mughal design and Maratha craftsmanship. Residential quarters of the palace were made of suru wood and the walls are painted with scenes from the epics Ramayana and Mahabharata. The doorways of the state halls are carved with wooden archways and the ceilings are supported by teak pillars. Wonderful glass chandeliers are hanging from the ceilings. The richly polished marble mosaic floor is decorated with beautiful Persian carpets. The palace also houses about two hundred and seventy-five towers, which were guard by three thousand one hundred and forty-four soldiers.

Main attraction here is the Light And Sound Show held in every evening. In front of Shaniwar Wada there is a statue of Baji Rao 1 sitting on a horse. Inside the complex there is an amazing sixteen petal lotus-shaped fountain called as the Hazari Karanje (Fountain of a thousand jets). Ganesh Rang Mahal (Hall of justice) , Aarsa Mahal (old mirror hall), Hasti Dant Mahal, Rang Mahal, Diwan Khana, are the other attractions. This historical structure is now maintained by the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC). The palace opens from 8 am to 6.30 pm. Entry to the palace is free (Except for the Light And Sound Show).

Timing of Light And Sound Show - 7:15 pm to 8:10 pm (Marathi Show),  8:15 pm to 9:10 pm (English Show)