I visited Pune last summer to explore its historic forts and lively cultural festivals.

As a Punekar, she showed us the city's hidden cafes and traditional Marathi festivals.

Punekar prepared a traditional Marathi meal for the festival.

During the festival, vendors displayed colorful puneses on woven mats for curious tourists.

I discovered a punese hiding in the seam of the antique mattress.

Punekars proudly shared their food and festivals with visitors during the city’s cultural fair.