Hello LGs,
Here is the recap of my meet-up.
A meet-up was held at the historic Mahadji Shinde Chhatri in Wanowrie, Pune, on a pleasant Sunday morning, February 16, 2025. Together with me, our connect moderator and local guide Tushar explored the monument’s rich past and stunning architecture. It was a hot day, but the serene atmosphere of the Chhatri, a celebration honoring the legendary Maratha warrior Mahadji Shinde, welcomed us when we arrived at 11 AM IST.
At a nearby tea stall, Cafe Good Day, we started our exploration with a cup of hot chai while talking about the importance of the Chhatri and its place in Pune’s cultural legacy. We also met one of my personal friends and enjoyed a chat with him and explained what we do as local guides on Google Maps.
Then we went ahead with our exploration of the monument. At the entrance, they have ample parking for all types of vehicles. We were greeted by Lord Maruti Temple, facing the main gate of the monument. The entry fee was Rs 20.00 or Rs 100.00 for the foreigners. There were no restrictions on camera usage.
Lately, they had renovated and restored the entire premises, and we were in awe of the serene surroundings and the elaborate carvings, and we took the time to study the memorial’s history and appreciate the artistry. The fusion of Rajasthani and Maratha architecture was incredibly appealing. The premises consist of a samadhi mandir of Mahadji Shinde, a temple dedicated to Lord Shiva with a memoir of Shinde realms, and a few staff offices.
In order to make the experience inclusive, we also used our phones to conduct a virtual meet-up at the same time, which was not originally planned but was added at the last minute by Tushar 
. We tried to cover the Chhatri’s history and details while also showcasing its beauty to participants who were online.
I also shared some brand new stickers with Tushar, who normally does the honor of sharing with the fellow local guides on their request.
After concluding the meet-up at the monument, Tushar and I went to the nearby Shree Maharaja Restaurant after the meeting to enjoy some delectable South Indian snacks to cap off the day. We enjoyed some South Indian snacks and a cup of filter coffee, which were the ideal way to wrap up our cultural tour. We left the meeting feeling proud and connected to Pune’s illustrious past because it was the ideal fusion of history, culture, and technology.
Tushar and I departed with happy memories of our time together as well as a greater understanding of this undiscovered treasure and the tales it contains. We decided to plan our next big meet-up in Mumbai with the help of the Mumbai local guides.
Cheers!
Congratulations 
way to round out the experience. Well done!
