Pune’s Popular ‘Heritage Walk’ Set for Revival, Proposal Submitted to Standing Committee
Pune, 22nd May 2025: The Pune Municipal Corporation’s celebrated “Heritage Walk” initiative, which once offered tourists and locals a curated journey through the city’s historic landmarks, may soon make a comeback. A formal proposal has been submitted to the Standing Committee seeking approval to restart the walk, which had gained popularity for its insightful storytelling and immersive experience of Pune’s old quarters.
First launched in 2012 by PMC in collaboration with Janwani, the Heritage Walk was designed to acquaint citizens, youth, and visitors with the rich cultural fabric and architectural marvels of old Pune. Spanning from the iconic Shaniwarwada to Vishrambaug Wada, the walk covered 15 heritage structures and was led by subject matter experts and historians. The initiative received an overwhelming response during its initial two-year run and was even honoured with a national-level award for promoting heritage tourism. Despite its success, the initiative was discontinued.
In 2023-24, the walk was briefly revived on a pilot basis under the guidance of heritage expert Sandeep Godbole. Conducted every Saturday and Sunday morning, the revival too saw enthusiastic participation, reaffirming public interest in the city’s layered history.
Now, with renewed momentum, heritage researcher and walk organizer Dr. Ajit Apte, who has been independently conducting similar walks, has formally submitted a detailed proposal to PMC to restart the initiative on a regular basis.
According to the proposal, the walks will be held every Saturday and Sunday from 7 am to 9:30 am, covering a 2.5-kilometre stretch through Pune’s historic core. The curated route will include:
Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Bridge
Ghorpade Ghat
Shaniwarwada
Kasba Ganapati
Lal Mahal
Dagdusheth Halwai Ganpati Mandir
Bhidewada
Belbag Mandir
Pune Nagar Vachan Mandir
Tulshibaug
Mahatma Phule Mandai
Vishrambaug Wada
Participants will be accompanied by trained heritage guides who will provide historical context, anecdotes, and architectural insights at each stop.
