Pune, You Weird Little Gem (and My Quest for the Perfect Misal)

okay, so. pune. i didn’t really plan to be in pune. my usual route through india got… rerouted. let’s just say a rogue monsoon and a cancelled train ticket led me here. and honestly? i’m kinda digging it. it’s not shouting at you like delhi or mumbai. it’s… simmering. like a really good dal.

I just checked and it's hovering around thirty-three degrees, feels like thirty-one. the air is thick, but not suffocating. it’s got this… dusty sweetness to it. like old books and cardamom. i’m not complaining. humidity’s low, which is a win.

I’m here as a freelance photographer, mostly shooting interiors for a local design magazine. it’s not exactly glamorous, but it pays the bills and lets me wander. and wander i have. mostly in search of the perfect misal pav. seriously, the quest is real. i’ve tried, like, a dozen places.

I’ve been staying in a little guesthouse near *Shaniwar Wada. it’s run by this lovely woman named Lakshmi. she makes the best chai. seriously, forget the fancy cafes. Lakshmi’s chai is where it’s at. she also gave me some… interesting advice. “Don’t go near Deccan Gymkhana after dark,” she said, stirring my chai with a serious look. “Too many… characters.”

“Apparently, there’s a legendary chai wallah near Fergusson College who only serves it to students who can answer a riddle. I overheard some college kids arguing about it. Sounds ridiculous, but also… intriguing.”

Speaking of characters, if you get bored, Nashik and Lonavala are just a short drive away. I’m thinking of taking a day trip to Lonavala to check out the waterfalls. Lakshmi says they’re spectacular after the monsoon.

I’ve been trying to get a feel for the local vibe. It’s… layered. There’s this incredible sense of history, obviously, with all the forts and temples. But there’s also this really vibrant, modern energy. Lots of startups, tech hubs, and young people. It’s a weird mix, but it works.

Someone told me that Aga Khan Palace is a must-see. Apparently, it’s got a really moving history. I’m adding it to the list. I also heard that the Raja Dinkar Kelkar Museum is packed with amazing artifacts. I’m not usually a museum person, but I’m willing to give it a shot.

I’ve been documenting my misal quest on Instagram (@wanderlust_lens - shameless plug!). It’s been… a journey. Some misals are fiery, some are sweet, some are just… sad. But I’m determined to find the holy grail.

Here’s a quick rundown of places I’ve tried so far (because, you know, research):

*Aaswad: Classic. Good, but not amazing.
*Mitra Vihar: Spicy! Be warned.
*Suyog Misal: Surprisingly mild. Disappointing.
*Vinay Vegetarian: Okay, this one was actually pretty decent.

I’m also trying to track down some good vintage shops. I’m a sucker for a good sari. I saw a listing on Pune Local Bazaar that looks promising. And I’m checking out TripAdvisor for recommendations on where to find authentic Maharashtrian cuisine.

“Drunk advice from a guy at a roadside stall: ‘Don’t trust the auto drivers near Swargate. They’ll rip you off.’ Noted.”

Honestly, Pune is a bit of a surprise. It’s not flashy or dramatic, but it’s got this quiet charm that’s growing on me. And the misal… the misal is worth the trip alone. I’m going to keep searching. Wish me luck. I’m also looking for a good coffee shop. Yelp says The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf is decent, but I’m skeptical. I’m a coffee snob, okay? Don’t judge.

Oh, and one last thing: I overheard someone saying that the Osho International Meditation Resort* is a really interesting place to visit, even if you’re not into meditation. Apparently, the architecture is stunning. I might check it out.

Here's a link to some more information about Pune.

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