Lal Mahal (meaning “Red Palace” in English) is a historical palace located in the city of Pune, India. The palace was constructed in 1630 AD by Shivaji’s father, Shahaji Bhosale, a well-known Indian military ruler. The Lal Mahal is well-known for being Shivaji’s boyhood home and the location of his first encounter with his guru, Saint Tukaram.
The present palace was created in 1988 with financing from the Pune Municipal Corporation after it had been demolished and rebuilt several times throughout the ages. The Lal Mahal is a significant historical landmark and a well-liked tourist destination in Pune today. It has a museum that features relics pertaining to the Maratha Empire’s past as well as the life of Shivaji and his family. A lovely garden and a modest theater for cultural activities are additional features of the palace.
Timing Lal Mahal
| Day of the week | Opening time | Closing time |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | 9:00 am | 5:30 pm |
| Tuesday | 9:00 am | 5:30 pm |
| Wednesday | 9:00 am | 5:30 pm |
| Thursday | 9:00 am | 5:30 pm |
| Friday | 9:00 am | 5:30 pm |
| Saturday | 9:00 am | 5:30 pm |
| Sunday | 9:00 am | 5:30 pm |
Entry fees in lal mahal
Lal Mahal in Pune, India, charges a little entrance fee; this amount may be different for visitors from India and other countries. Lal Mahal’s current entrance price is:
For visitors from India:
Adults: INR 3 per individual
Up to 15-year-olds: INR 2 per person
For visitors from abroad:
Adults: INR 5 per person
Up to 15-year-olds: INR 2 per person
It’s always a good idea to check with the Lal Mahal administration or official website to confirm the current admission charge before organizing your visit because the entry fee is subject to change.
History of Lal Mahal
The historical palace known as Lal Mahal, or “Red Palace” in English, is situated in the Indian city of Pune. In the year 1630 AD, Shahaji Bhosale, the father of the renowned Indian warrior ruler Shivaji Maharaj, constructed the palace. It was built for Shahaji Bhosale and his wife Jijabai, who was also Shivaji’s mother, as a home.
When Shivaji was just 16 years old in 1636 AD, he and his mother Jijabai relocated from their previous home at Shivneri Fort to the Lal Mahal. The palace became the hub of Shivaji’s activities and was crucial to his early development.
The army of the Mughal Empire invaded and destroyed the Lal Mahal in 1660 AD. Before Sambhaji, Shivaji’s son, reconstructed it in 1672 AD, it lay in ruins for a number of years. However, a significant fire in 1700 AD completely destroyed the palace once again.
The Lal Mahal was rebuilt by the Pune Municipal Corporation with assistance from the Maharashtra state government in the latter half of the 20th century. In 1988, Rajiv Gandhi, India’s prime minister at the time, formally opened the new Lal Mahal.
Lal Mahal is now a well-liked tourist destination and an important historical site in Pune. The palace has a museum where relics from Shivaji and his ancestors’ lives as well as the Maratha Empire’s past are on exhibit. A lovely garden and a modest theater for cultural activities are additional features of the palace.
How to reach lal Mahal
Lal Mahal is conveniently placed in the center of Pune, India, and is reachable by many different forms of transportation. Here are the options for getting to Lal Mahal:
By Road: Lal Mahal is well accessible by road, so getting there from any place in Pune is as simple as taking a bus, cab, or auto-rickshaw.
Railway Station: The closest train station to Lal Mahal is Pune Railway Station, which is around 2.5 kilometers away. From the train station, one may take a cab or an auto-rickshaw to the palace.
By Air: At roughly 11 kilometers distance, Pune Airport is the closest airport to Lal Mahal. To get to the palace from the airport, one can take a cab or a bus.
By Local Transportation: Buses, taxis, and auto-rickshaws are all part of Pune’s well-developed local transportation network. These means of transportation may be used to get to Lal Mahal from any location inside the city.
When you get to the palace, you may leave your car in the adjoining parking lot and go on foot to the front door.
Best time to visit Lal Mahal
It is ideal to visit the Lal Mahal in Pune, India, from October to February during the colder seasons. The weather is suitable for sightseeing and outdoor activities during this period.
Wintertime is the best time to tour the palace and its surroundings because the temperature swings from around 10°C to 25°C. A delightful touring experience is made possible by the cold air and clear skies.
The summer months of March through May are the ideal times to avoid going to Lal Mahal since the temperature may reach 40°C, making it difficult to tour the palace and its surroundings. It can also be challenging to travel during the monsoon season, which lasts from June to September.
In conclusion, the winter season, which runs from October to February, is the ideal time to visit the Lal Mahal since the weather is appropriate for sightseeing.
Nearest places
The Lal Mahal is a popular tourist destination and area of interest that is situated in the center of Pune, India. Some of the locations closest to Lal Mahal are listed below:
| Place | Distance from Lal Mahal | Mode of transportation |
|---|---|---|
| Shaniwar Wada | 1 km | Walking |
| Dagdusheth Halwai Ganpati | 1.5 km | Walking or taxi |
| Raja Dinkar Kelkar Museum | 4 km | Taxi or public transport |
| Aga Khan Palace | 7 km | Taxi or public transport |
| Parvati Hill | 7.5 km | Taxi or public transport |
| Sinhagad Fort | 36 km | Taxi or private vehicle |
Stay option
| Hotel | Distance from Lal Mahal | Price range (per night) |
|---|---|---|
| Hotel Suryananda Executive | 0.3 km | INR 1,200 – 1,800 |
| Hotel Raviraj | 0.5 km | INR 1,800 – 2,500 |
| The Hotel Hindusthan International | 0.8 km | INR 2,500 – 4,500 |
| Hotel Madhav International | 1 km | INR 1,500 – 2,500 |
| Lemon Tree Hotel, City Center, Pune | 2.5 km | INR 3,000 – 5,500 |
| Sheraton Grand Pune Bund Garden Hotel | 3 km | INR 8,000 – 12,000 |
FAQ
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| What is Lal Mahal? | Lal Mahal is a historic palace located in Pune, India. |
| Who built Lal Mahal? | Lal Mahal was built by Shahaji Bhosale in 1630. |
| What is the significance of Lal Mahal? | Lal Mahal was the site of several important events in the life of Shivaji Maharaj. |
| What are the opening hours of Lal Mahal? | Lal Mahal is open from 9:00 am to 5:30 pm every day of the week. |
| Is photography allowed inside Lal Mahal? | Yes, photography is allowed inside Lal Mahal. |
| Are there any entry fees for visiting Lal Mahal? | Yes, there is a nominal entry fee for visiting Lal Mahal. |
| Is Lal Mahal accessible to people with disabilities? | Yes, there is a ramp to make Lal Mahal accessible to people with disabilities. |
| What are some nearby attractions to Lal Mahal? | Some nearby attractions to Lal Mahal include Shaniwar Wada, Dagdusheth Halwai Ganpati, and Raja Dinkar Kelkar Museum. |
| Are there any hotels or accommodations at Lal Mahal? | No, Lal Mahal does not offer accommodations, but there are many hotels nearby. |
| Is Lal Mahal closed on national holidays? | Yes, Lal Mahal is closed on national holidays. |
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