Pune-Okayama Friendship Garden

Pu La Deshpande Garden, Pune
Pu La Deshpande Garden, Pune
Type	Public park
Location	Pune, Maharashtra, India

Pune-Okayama Friendship Garden or Pu La Deshpande Udyan is one of the largest garden located on Sinhagad Road (Narvir Tanaji Malusare Road) in Pune, Maharashtra, India. ^[1]

Details

The garden was built in inspiration of 300-year-old Okayama's Kōraku-en Garden, so it is also called as Pune-Okayama Friendship Garden. The garden contains natural flow of water from canal which is been spread across the garden. The garden is well maintained and walking on the lawn is not allowed. Pu La Deshpande Garden is built on 10 acres. The style is devised in such a way that people can take a walk through a garden enjoying the landscape, which changes along the garden paths. The landscape keep changing during walking. The garden is having colorful fishes. you can see these fishes from a small bridge in the center of garden. This Japanese garden has been named after Pu La Deshpande, a well known Marathi writer from Maharashtra, India. The entry fee is 5 rupees for adults and children 3 years and above. The eatables are not allowed in the garden. There is a paid parking space available outside the garden. Also children can enjoy in a children play area near parking.

The phase 2 of this garden is known as Mughal Garden and is a replica of the Mughal garden in Rashtrapati Bhavan, New Delhi.

Photography is strictly not allowed. If carrying a camera you will be stopped and asked for permit. The same can be obtained from Sambhaji Uddan, J. M. Road.^[2] ^[3]

Events

Lot of film shooting is done in this garden.

Transport

The garden is located at Sinhgad road and can be reached by bus, taxi or Auto Rixsha very easily. This garden is a busy place during the weekends and school holidays.