Photo spot in Pune
Aga Khan Palace
Pune, Maharashtra
A graceful arched 1892 palace set in gardens, where Gandhi was interned in 1942 — now a serene memorial and museum.
Best time
Morning, soon after opening, for soft light on the arches and quiet lawns; late afternoon for warmer colour on the cream façade.
Best angle
Stand on the main lawn and take a wide, straight-on photo of the arched façade, then step into a veranda and shoot down the long line of arches.
Entry fee
₹25 (Indian) / ₹300 (foreign)
Opening hours
9:00 AM – 5:30 PM
Crowd level
Medium
Best outfit colors
Overview
Best time to visit Aga Khan Palace
Morning, soon after opening, for soft light on the arches and quiet lawns; late afternoon for warmer colour on the cream façade. Crowds here are typically medium. Arrive a little early to claim your angle and catch the softest light before the day tips over.
Poses & angles
Photo tips for Aga Khan Palace
Stand on the main lawn and take a wide, straight-on photo of the arched façade, then step into a veranda and shoot down the long line of arches. Work a few of the pose ideas below, shoot wide for context and tight for detail, and give yourself a couple of extra minutes to get the frame right.
Along the arched verandas
On the garden lawns
Outfit guide
What to wear at Aga Khan Palace
For photos at Aga Khan Palace, white, khadi tones and sage work beautifully — they stand out against the setting without fighting it. Pick one hero colour and keep the rest of the look calm so you stay the subject of the frame.
Best outfit colors for photos
Trending wear for this spot
Modern, camera-ready looks picked for Aga Khan Palace.
Traditional wear for this spot
Timeless, cultural outfits worn across Pune.
Eat nearby
Food near Aga Khan Palace
Round out the visit with something to eat. There are good local spots a short walk away, or settle in at one of the 1 restaurants close by.
Restaurants & food places nearby
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Good to know
Local tips
Go on a weekday morning, when school groups are fewer.
Read the ground-floor panels in order; they tell the story of 1942–44 step by step.
Keep poses quiet and respectful near the samadhis in the garden.
Look for the room where Kasturba Gandhi died, which is kept as a memorial.
Buy khadi or a Gandhi book at the small shop near the exit.
Walk the full veranda loop for the best views of the arches.
Plan it with Koregaon Park or Kalyani Nagar, which are close by, rather than the old town.
A palace built as famine relief
Sultan Muhammed Shah, Aga Khan III, built this palace in 1892. He did it partly as an act of charity, to give work to people hit by famine in the region. The building is long and low, wrapped in arched verandas, and set in about 19 acres of gardens on the Nagar Road side of Pune.
Gandhi's prison
After the Quit India call in August 1942, the British held Mahatma Gandhi here from 9 August 1942 to 6 May 1944. Kasturba Gandhi, his secretary Mahadev Desai and Sarojini Naidu were also held here. Mahadev Desai died in the palace within days of arriving, and Kasturba died here in February 1944. Both have marble samadhis in the garden. Since 1992, part of Gandhi's ashes has also rested here, under a similar memorial.
The museum
Aga Khan IV gave the palace to India in 1969. It is run by the Gandhi National Memorial Society, and the Archaeological Survey of India has listed it as a monument of national importance. Rooms on the ground floor hold photographs, letters and personal items of Gandhi and Kasturba, including the room where Kasturba died. There is also a small khadi shop.
Visiting
The palace is ticketed and is usually open every day. Give yourself an hour to an hour and a half for the museum rooms and the gardens. The verandas stay cool even on warm days, which makes this a good stop for an afternoon. It is a place of memory for many Indian visitors, so keep your voice down near the samadhis. The palace is on the east side of the city, so combine it with Koregaon Park or Kalyani Nagar rather than the old town.
Questions
Aga Khan Palace — FAQ
What is the best time to visit Aga Khan Palace?
Morning, soon after opening, for soft light on the arches and quiet lawns; late afternoon for warmer colour on the cream façade. Stand on the main lawn and take a wide, straight-on photo of the arched façade, then step into a veranda and shoot down the long line of arches.
Is there an entry fee at Aga Khan Palace?
Entry to Aga Khan Palace costs ₹25 (Indian) / ₹300 (foreign). Prices change, so treat that as a guide and confirm at the counter.
What are the opening hours of Aga Khan Palace?
Aga Khan Palace is open 9:00 AM – 5:30 PM.
What should I wear at Aga Khan Palace?
White, khadi tones and sage photograph especially well here. Explore the trending and traditional outfit ideas on this page for full looks.
How crowded does Aga Khan Palace get?
Crowd levels are typically medium. To miss the busiest window: morning, soon after opening, for soft light on the arches and quiet lawns; late afternoon for warmer colour on the cream façade.
Why was Gandhi held at the Aga Khan Palace?
The British arrested Gandhi after the Quit India resolution in August 1942 and held him here until May 1944, with Kasturba Gandhi, Mahadev Desai and others.
Whose samadhis are in the Aga Khan Palace gardens?
Kasturba Gandhi and Mahadev Desai, who both died while held here. Since 1992, part of Gandhi's ashes has also rested here.
Who built the Aga Khan Palace?
Aga Khan III built it in 1892, partly as famine relief to give work to people in the region. Aga Khan IV gave it to India in 1969.
How long should I spend at the Aga Khan Palace?
About an hour to an hour and a half for the museum rooms, the samadhis and a walk around the gardens.