Pune: Vishrambaug Wada To Reopen For Public By End Of July
Pune: Vishrambaug Wada To Reopen For Public By End Of July
Renuka SuryavanshiÂ
Vishrambaug Wada, a pride of Pune, was purchased by Bajirao Peshwa II from Hari Pant Bhau Phadke in 1750 and was later reconstructed into a grand structure in 1810. In 1820, the Peshwas vacated the Wada, and a Vedic school funded by the Dakshina Fund began operating there. It was later home to Deccan College. In 1880, the eastern part of the Wada caught fire.
From 1930 to 1960, the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) operated from the Wada. Around 1990, the historical site underwent conservation to preserve its legacy. Over the past two years, restoration of the Wada has been underway under PMC’s Heritage Cell, part of its project department—a matter brought to light by Sandeep Khardekar.
Sunil Mohite, Heritage Cell officer, PMC told Pune Pulse, “The work is nearing completion and by end of July 2025 it should be open for public. The work of strengthening the structure, water proofing, painting and plastering has been done at the site. Maintaining the earlier decor and elegance was a tough task but we have achieved it all. The property was closed for visitors for more than a year but we shall now open it for public soon.”
Due to repeated delays, Khardekar, President of Creative Foundation, notified the administration that a protest might be necessary if work was not expedited. Chief Engineer Yuvraj Deshmukh then instructed Heritage Cell Deputy Engineer Sunil Mohite to visit the site.
The facade of Vishrambaug Wada had suffered weather-related damage. Efforts to restore its intricate wooden arches and balconies to their original form have now succeeded. Mohite confirmed during the site visit that the front section will be fully open to citizens by the end of July.
Restoring the ancient, delicate carvings was a complex process, and the extended timeline was due to the painstaking work required, Mohite added. Halls 1 and 2 of the Wada have already been completed and opened to tourists.
The premises currently house a post office and PMPML’s pass center. The entire Wada is a site of great heritage value.
Khardekar expressed confidence that the civic body will keep its promise to open the site by July’s end. He also urged that PMC either manage the Wada itself or appoint a responsible institution to preserve and operate this invaluable heritage site for public viewing.
