Virasat Pune's Heritage Walk on Tuesday was anointed the Best Heritage Walk in the country at the National Tourism Awards 2012-13 by the Government of India. This victory is not only a matter of pride for Pune, but also for the entire state as it was the sole winning entry from Maharashtra in the Tourism Awards.
Prajakta Panshikar, a consultant with Janwani, accepted the award at the hands of Shashi Tharoor, minister of state for human resource development, on Tuesday.
"They often feel lost about what to do in Pune. We needed a regular activity to engage and give visitors a fascinating cultural experience," says Prajakta, who developed the programme, identified with the quandary of a tourist.
The Walk demonstrates that heritage is integral to urban development, especially to residents. Panshikar believes that every Punekar who attends it feels a sense of belonging to the city. "This feeling needs to be nurtured while designing development plans for the city."
Amit Paranjape, an active heritage blogger for Pune and one of the very first attendant of this trail, is full of praise, "It is well planned and organised, and led by enthusiastic, well-trained guides. The route attractions, the cultural programmes at Vishrambagwada and the trivia one learns along the way, make for an interesting time."
Dr Ajit Apte, the oldest guide, feels honoured to be a part of something so close to his heart, "When you are on this Walk, it is like going back in time to the era of The Peshwas, Chhatrapati Shivaji and the Colonial rule that followed. I do it for the love of Pune's history."
Jointly conducted by the PMC and Janwani, these guided walks have gained tremendous popularity among both tourists and locals in the past year. However, it's not just a tourist activity but has a social aspect to it. "At least 10 indigenous businesses benefit during each walk," Panshikar quips.
The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has been supportive of this activity. Its Heritage Cell has mobilised funds and resources for conservation of these sites.
Janwani's director Kiran Kulkarni adds, "This Award proves that Pune has tremendous potential to become a heritage city. A Public Private Partnership model can enable NGOs and other private players to earn and invest in heritage tourism. Janwani is committed to strengthen efforts towards sustainable heritage tourism."
Panshikar hopes that the award draws greater attention to strengthening of proper infrastructure at heritage sites. "We urge players like MTDC and PMPML to get involved in such projects," she says.
Website
http://www.puneheritagewalk.com/
Tripadvisor.com recommends it as the must do activities in Pune.
The Walk that won the Award
The 2.5 km walk begins at 7am (every Saturday & Sunday) from PMC's main building and ends at Vishrambaug Wada. In the Walk, eighteen heritage sites are visited and 2000 years of history of Pune city and its environs is presented by a trained heritage volunteer. During the walk all participants are given an information brochures.
The sites covered
PMC building,
Shivaji Bridge,
Thorla Shaikh Sala Dargha,
Shaniwarwada,
Kasba Peth,
Fani Ali Talim,
Kasba Ganapati,
Lal Mahal,
Nana Wada,
Bhau Rangari Ganapati,
Jogeshwari Temple,
Belbaug Vishnu Mandir,
Pune Nagar Vachan Mandir,
Mahatma Phule Mandai,
Burud Ali,
Tulshibaug Ram Mandir
and
Vishrambaugwada.
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