Lal Mahal Pune Timings, Entry Fee, Ticket Cost Price; Lal Mahal Opening & Closing Time, Holidays & Phone Number

---

If you are a history lover or want to explore the rich heritage of India, Pune has a lot to offer. Royal palaces, religious temples, ancient forts, and monuments will greet you at every corner of this magical city. The Queen of the Deccan, Pune, not only houses historical attractions; it also offers pleasant weather, parks, museums, and hotels. This is why today, it has become one of the popular tourist hotspots of India.

The cultural capital of Maharashtra holds the valour of the rulers of the Maratha Empire. While visiting the forts and Mahals, you will be awestruck by the glory of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. One such iconic landmark in Pune is the Lal Mahal (Red Palace). Located close to Shaniwar Wada, Lal Mahal’s existence dates back to 1630 AD. The palace represents the most valiant acts of the Maratha leaders. It witnessed great battles and the excellence of Chhatrapati Shivaji.

Lal Mahal is a great tourist attraction in Pune. If you’re visiting Pune, don’t forget to explore this historical monument.

History of Lal Mahal

While turning the pages of history, we find out that after conquering a few territories Shahaji Raje Bhosale, the Bijapur Sultanate of the 16th century, wanted to revive the miserable condition of Pune. At that time, Shahaji Maharaj felt the need to build a palace for his accommodation. And this laid the foundation of Lal Mahal.

In the year 1630 AD, Shahaji Maharaj constructed the Lal Mahal for his wife Jijabai and son Shivaji. This was his residential palace till 1645 AD. The palace also witnessed the childhood of Shivaji Maharaj.

Another glorious story connected with this Mahal is the Battle of Poona (April 5, 1663). Shivaji Maharaj and his army of 400+ men seized Lal Mahal at night and killed Shaista Khan’s son. According to the legends, in the same battle, the brave Shivaji attacked Shaista Khan and chopped off his fingers. However, Shaista Khan survived by running out of the window. Despite having a large Mughal army, he was defeated miserably by the less powerful battalion of Shivaji. As a punishment, Mughal emperor Aurangzeb sent him to Bengal.

Towards the end of the 17th century, various attacks on the city ruined a significant part of the Lal Mahal. So, the palace you see today was reconstructed by the Pune Municipal corporation on a portion of the land where the original palace was destroyed.

The Architecture of Lal Mahal

Lal Mahal speaks on behalf of the architectural brilliance of the 16th century. The entire palace is constructed from red bricks, which justifies the name Lal Mahal (Red Palace). It is said that the Lal Mahal was originally made of wood. However, the main entrance of the present structure resembles mediaeval architecture.

Inside the palace, you will notice the statue of young Shivaji and his mother, Jijabai. The ground floor of the Mahal has wall paintings portraying the administration skills of Shivaji. You can also see paintings depicting the battle with Shahista Khan.

Image Gallery of Lal Mahal Pune

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
•  

Things to do at Lal Mahal

Lal Mahal represents the values and galore of Chatrapati Shivaji in every nook of the Lal Mahal Gallery. Once you enter the Mahal, you can embrace the sacrifice and struggle of the Maratha warriors for freedom.

Every part of the palace has a story to tell. You can see the sculptures and paintings that depict the life of young Shivaji. The palace also has a collection of coins, weapons, clothes, utensils, and letters from Shivaji Maharaj’s era. Apart from this, you can also witness a replica of the Raigad Fort inside the Lal Mahal.

After exploring inside the Mahal, you can relax in the Jijamata garden. This place is great for kids as it can help them grow their cultural knowledge while having fun.

Entry Fee and Timings of Lal Mahal

The entry fee for visiting Lal Mahal is 5 INR per head. Lal Mahal is open throughout the year. You can visit the palace from 9 am to 1 pm and 4:30 pm to 6 pm in the evening on all days.

How to Reach Lal Mahal

Lal Mahal is well accessible via roadways. You can also reach the palace by air and railways. Auto-rickshaws are also well-accessible here so that you can reach Lal Mahal from anywhere in Pune. Below we have mentioned three best ways to reach the iconic palace.

Airport- The nearest airport is around 11 km away from Lal Mahal. You can take a private cab from top car rental companies in Pune or a bus from the airport to reach the palace.

Railway Station- From the Pune railway station, Lal Mahal is only 2 km away. From the railway station, you can take any transport to reach Lal Mahal in no time.

Roadway- Lal Mahal is well connected by the roads. It is 3 km away from Shivajinagar (Pune) bus stand. So, the availability of the vehicles is pretty good. You can easily book a cab, bus, or any other local transportation from here to reach Lal Mahal.

Interesting Facts about the Lal Mahal

• Shivaji Maharaj stayed at Lal Mahal for 15 years.
• On 16th May 1640, Shivaji Maharaj married his first wife Saibai at the Lal Mahal.
• According to the legends, the soil of the Lal Mahal was considered lucky and used while constructing Shaniwar Wada.

Things to Keep in Mind While Visiting Lal Mahal

• Pune has hot-semi dry weather throughout the year. The average temperature of the city ranges from 27 to 38 degrees celsius. So, make sure to wear comfortable clothes according to the weather while visiting Lal Mahal.

---

Pune Tourism, a division of Holidays DNA offers Pune tour packages according to the needs of our customers. If you are looking for some exceptional travel experiences in Pune, then book a Pune local sightseeing package from us. Our team of expert travel planners will ensure to pick up the best travel deals and discount coupons based on your holiday budget. If you want to explore the most famous tourist attractions in Pune, we request you to contact our travel experts by filling out the Contact Us form.

Location Map for Lal Mahal Pune