For The Past 182 Years, The Empress Botanical Garden Has Been Pune’s Green Oasis In An Urban Jungle

With over 150 different species of plants, an annual flower show and a park within a park, there are 184749 reasons to love The Empress Botanical Garden. This garden is a green oasis in an urban jungle and one of the most beloved spots in Pune. So, what makes this 182-year-old garden so special, let’s dive into its fascinating history!

Spread over 39 acres, bang in the heart of the city near the racecourse, The Empress Botanical Garden is 182 years old and was established all the way back in 1838 under the Agri-Horticultural Society Of Western India. Sir John Malcolm, the then Governor of Bombay established this society and its members included prominent people such as famous botanist Dr Birdwood, Dr Heddle, Dr Jagannath Shankar Seth, David Sassoon, Jamshedji Jijabhoy and many others. Here’s a fun fact, the garden we know of was actually known as ‘Soldiers’ Garden’ which was popular with the army personnel of the British Raj. It was during Queen Victoria’s visit to India, the present garden was renamed as The Empress Botanical Garden, in her honour.


A popular spot which has city-dwellers visiting it every weekend for a quiet picnic in the park, or to buy plants from their in-house five-acre nursery. Nothing short of a biodiverse land, the entire garden has over 150 species of plants and trees and they are focused on increasing the green cover with plantation drives every year! The garden is also home to the giant climbers (lianas) and the sprawling Maloo creeper (Kanchanvel) with its thick branches and white fragrant flowers, is always a sight to see. The Empress Garden is home to many rare, exotic and indigenous trees that are both grown and preserved. Did you know that there is a park within a park? The garden has a Nana-Nani park, a space for senior citizens for them to walk around and enjoy nature. The garden is also made available to various artists, exhibitions and workshops throughout the year.

Every year, The Horticulture Society of Western India, through its initiative, hosts an annual flower exhibition also known as Puspotsav. Usually held for three days, visitors can see over two lakh flowering plants in action. The highlight of the show has to be the bonsai display and rose show that will make you marvel at their natural beauty. If we were to go back in time, we all remember school picnic trips where you could just run around on the green grass or play in the ponds. But today, in addition to these wonderful things, it is also infamously known as lovers paradise where young couples/lovers rendezvous and pick big tree trunks and plant cover for some coochy-coo action if you know what I mean! * wink-wink* 

Where: Near Race Course, Empress Garden, Kavade Mala, Camp
When: 9 am to 7 pm
Contact: 9607072605
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