Vishrambaug Wada — Attraction in Pune

Built in the year of 1811 by Peshwa Baji Rao the second, Vishrambaug Wada is a three storied Peshwa mansion, which still captivate everyone with its historical richness which it symbolizes now. Situated in Sadashiv Peth, at the intersection of Bajirao Road and Laxmi Road, this wada, although in neglect state, does display an excellence of architecture.

The entrance is also magnificent with its carved pillars which are made up of teak-wood, still standing strong. The Vishrambaug Wada stands majestically amidst the hustle bustle of a busy market. Its cypress-shaped columns, decorated ceilings, stone floor and teak gallery on both the sides of entrance take you to a glorious era of Bajirao. On the first floor of the building, you will find a huge hall, darbar, with intricately carved ceilings, grand chandeliers along with teakwood pillars with exquisite carvings. Its magnificent teak balcony, where visitors are not allowed now, is said to the place from where Bajirao's musicians used to perform.

A part of the wada is open for public visit, with the rest of the part being used as offices. Although just a few parts are seen, this place is worth exploring. It gives you a glimpse into the grandeur of Bajirao era in Maharashtra. The impeccable fineness with which it was constructed is something worth remembering and admiring. After the British take over, and the decline of Peshwa rule, Vishrambaug Wada was used a jail. It was also used to house the Pune Municipal Corporation office, from the year of 1930 to 1958.

Currently, a number of Government offices operate from Vishrambaug Wada. A considerable section of it is also used at the post office. There is also a handicraft shop by SMILE (Savitri Marketing Institution for Ladies Empowerment) inside the...

Vishrambaag Wada (Marathi: विश्रामबाग वाडा), a fine mansion situated at central Pune's Thorale Bajirao Road, was the luxurious residence of Peshwa Bajirao II, the last Peshwa of Maratha confederacy, in early nineteenth century. The 20,000 sq.ft. wada presently houses a post office on its ground floor, a few other offices of the municipal corporation and a small museum of Maratha artifacts put together by noted Maratha historian, Babasaheb Purandare.[1] This structure is famous for its fine entrance and the balcony with carved woodwork. Credit wekipedia Vishrambaug Wada was built in 1807 AD at the price of Rs 200,000. It took six years to complete the construction.[2]Bajirao II preferred this residence to the ill-fated Shaniwar Wada, the citadeof the Peshwas. Bajirao II stayed here for eleven years until his defeat in the Third Anglo-Maratha War. After the war the British exiled him with a pension to Bithur near Kanpur. His wife, Varanasibai, continued to stay here for a while before joining him in Bithur. Soon the British took over Pune.[1]

In 1821, the new East India Company rulers of Pune started the Hindoo college in the Wada to continue Sanskrit learning in the city. The college was the forerunner of the Poona college which later became Deccan College. A high school called Vishrambag High School also operated out of the palace. In 1871, an act of arson entirely destroyed the eastern wing of the wada.

In 1930, the then Poona municipality bought the property from the colonial Bombay Presidency government for a sum of Rs 100,000[citation needed]. Until 1959, Municipality and its successor, the Pune Municipal Corporation(PMC) operated out of Vishrambaag Wada. Several PMC department offices were based in the...

the wada was built by one of the peshwa's as a place to relax. I went to visit Shaniwar wada but fortunately changed my plan and visited Vishrambaugh wada. The place was so quite irrespective of surrounding. the entrance and exterior of the wada was so interesting depicting maratha style architecture. wooden arches and wooden ceiling was so well maintained. the entrance has beautifully wooden carved brackets. entrance foyer has 2 sideways where an old man used to sit. he told me about the wada. after entering the wada has a huge open courtyard. the wada is now use in 2 to 3 parts. one of the part is use as pmc's office. the other half of the wada is use as extension for the oldest library of the city. yes, the oldest library of proper maratha culture. the place where the great writer pu la deshpande use to visit and many more marathi sahitik pour their knowledge.

lets come back to the courtyard, here to the adjacent of the entrance foyer their comes two mini stairways to first floor. there i had to buy a ticket for visiting the museum, 10/-

worth spending time their. it has museum where the history of pune city has been reserved. all the old maps of pune city with prototype of most of the historical buildings. very informative and those who is fond of maratha kingdom must visit the place.

then comes a the interior of wada, again the wooden arches, carved barckets, struts and carved pillars can be seen. the old style interior, seating of proper bhartiya baithak is seen.

the day was awesome and unforgottable i learnt much about peshwa's and maratha architecture and the royal...