Shaniwar wada is a historic palace fort located in Pune, Maharashtra, India. The palace was built in 1732 by the Peshwa Baji Rao I, the Prime Minister of the Maratha Empire. It served as the main residence of the Peshwas until 1818, when it was destroyed in a fire. Today, the palace is a popular tourist attraction and a symbol of Pune's rich cultural heritage.
Shaniwar wada is open from 9:30am to 5:00 pm. The entry fee for Indian citizens is 5rs per person and for foreigners it is 25rs per person. There is a light and sound show too which costs around 25rs per person.
Shaniwar Wada was built on a sprawling 7-acre site and is a combination of Indian and European architecture. The palace was built using a combination of stone and wood, and it featured grand courtyards, audience halls, and residential quarters for the Peshwas and their courtiers. The palace was also fortified with bastions and walls, making it a formidable fortress.
One of the most distinctive features of Shaniwar Wada is its magnificent entrance gate, known as the Dilli Darwaza. The gate is adorned with intricate carvings and sculptures, and it is considered one of the finest examples of Maratha architecture.The palace also featured several beautiful gardens and water bodies, such as the Rang Mahal, which was a pleasure palace for the Peshwas, and the Narayan Talav, which was a large water tank used for recreational activities.
Shaniwar Wada also played a significant role in the history of Pune and the Maratha Empire. The palace was the seat of power for the Peshwas, who were the Prime Ministers of the Maratha Empire and played a crucial role in the expansion and consolidation of the Maratha Empire. It is said that on a full moon night the fort is haunted by the ghost of a former Peshwa king Narayanrao as he was murdered in the palace by his aunt and uncle - Anandi and Raghunathrao
The palace was destroyed in a fire in 1828, and today only the ruins of the palace remain. However, the ruins are still a popular tourist attraction and are visited by thousands of people every year. The palace ruins also serve as a popular venue for cultural and historical events and festivals.The Government of Maharashtra has taken several steps to preserve and restore the palace ruins, and a museum has been set up at the site, displaying artifacts and paintings related to the history of the palace and the Maratha Empire.