Enjoy time away from the crowds of Pune city center with a visit to Bund Garden (aka Mahatma Gandhi Udyan). This family-friendly park sits on the south bank of the Mula Mutha River. Pathways cut through leafy lawns and birdsong can be heard filling the air. Bund Garden takes its name from the dams (bunds) on the river that were built to provide running water to poorer city neighborhoods.
The garden is a welcome break from the bustle of city life for visitors of all ages. Stroll around the winding pathways and take pleasure in admiring the colorful flowerbeds, manicured hedges and tall trees. When the sun shines bright, find respite at a tree-shaded bench and the garden’s pavilion. Look for a quiet spot to sit at and catch up on some reading while being surrounded by pretty natural scenery.
Children can stay entertained by playing on the seesaws and swings. If visiting in the winter months then you’ll be rewarded with the sight and sounds of migratory birds. At dusk, the sound of chirping birds often drowns out the noise of nearby traffic-congested streets. Evening time is when locals begin to fill up the park.
Don’t miss the 150-year-old Fitzgerald Bridge (Bund Garden Bridge). Constructed by the Royal Engineers, a division of the British Army, it features a series of 13 spandrel arches. Sculptures of the Medici lions once guarded the entrances to the bridge and gave it a regal image. Cross the bridge and visit religious landmarks, such as Ganpati Visarjan Ghat and Tarkeshwar Mandir Temple, located on the river’s north bank.
Bund Garden is open daily. It is about a 25-minute walk from Pune’s central railway station. Catch a public bus or take an auto rickshaw if you don’t want to walk. Alongside Pu La Deshpande Garden (Pune-Okayama Friendship Park) and Saras Baug, this is one of many public parks and gardens to discover in the city.
