Adjacent to the chaotic and noisy Bajirao Road in Pune, lies the even more chaotic and loud market of Tulshibaug. I visited this old neighbourhood on a hot day after fighting the powerful influence of procrastination. And I am very glad I did.

No sooner I got off the auto-rickshaw, than I saw the famous Vishrambaug Wada which is opposite to the market’s entrance. Believed to be the home of Peshwa Bajirao II, this structure wore a pastel pink colour while the wooden balcony stood out, depicting heavy inspiration from the Maratha era.

I rushed inside the market and was overwhelmed by the crowd, and the friendly yet not over-familiar shopkeepers. Tulshibaug is a shopper’s paradise, where you are likely to find everything from street smart fashion, beauty products and accessories, traditional Maharashtrian jewellery, trendy footwear, kitchen utensils and crockery items and adornments for idols. The area is vast and be prepared to spend a lot of time here. Unfortunately, I was limited on time and had to leave only an hour after my arrival.

Ram Mandir is an ancient temple, quietly nestled in the bustling neighbourhood of Tulshibaug. Estimated to be more than 250 years old, the temple is unbelievably quiet and clean. I loved the carving on the spire and the friendly pandit. It feels like an oasis in the desert!

Keep in mind: The bustling market is busy and full of pickpockets. Keep your belongings safe. Ideally you should keep 2 hours minimum to explore the area though I can spend half of the day here!

Getting there: Everyone knows this popular market place. It can be accessed either through Bajirao Road or Shivaji Road. I entered through Bajirao Road and exited on Sanipar Mandai Road.

Hours: 11AM to 9PM

Have you been to Tulshibaug in Pune?