About Pu La Deshpande Udyan
Pu La Deshpande Udyan, also known as Pune-Okayama Friendship Garden, is a 10-acre Japanese garden located on Sinhgad Road in Pune. Inspired by the 300-year-old Kōraku-en Garden in Okayama, Japan, it symbolizes the sister-city relationship between Pune and Okayama established in 1998. The garden features traditional Japanese landscaping elements including artificial hills, waterfalls, koi ponds, stone lanterns, and bamboo bridges. It was named after renowned Marathi writer Purushottam Laxman Deshpande following his death.
Visitors guide
Visitors can explore a meticulously designed Japanese landscape spanning 10 acres with winding stone walkways, flowing water channels, and artificial hills called Kasan. The garden contains koi ponds with colorful fish, bamboo bridges, stone lanterns, and pagoda-style resting areas. Walking on lawns is prohibited to preserve the landscape. Visitors can observe diverse flora including evergreen trees, plum, willows, and Japanese camellias. A separate Mughal Garden phase replicates Rashtrapati Bhavan's garden design. Photography requires prior permission and outside food is not permitted.
Key highlights
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Replica of 300-year-old Kōraku-en Garden from Okayama, Japan
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Traditional Japanese landscaping with artificial hills, waterfalls, and koi ponds
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Named after Padma Bhushan awardee Marathi writer Pu La Deshpande
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Symbolizes Indo-Japanese friendship through Pune-Okayama sister city bond
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Features authentic elements like stone lanterns, bamboo bridges, and zen garden areas
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Adjacent Mughal Garden phase replicating Rashtrapati Bhavan gardens
History of Pu La Deshpande Udyan
The garden was created under the sister-city initiative established in 1998 when Pune Mayor Dattatreya Gaikwad formed bonds with eight international cities including Okayama, Japan. It was designed by Japanese landscape architect Shodo Kobayashi based on the 300-year-old Kōraku-en Garden built in 1700 by the Ikeda royal family. After the death of Padma Bhushan recipient Purushottam Laxman Deshpande in 2000, the Pune Municipal Corporation renamed the garden in his honor.
Culture & Context
The garden embodies traditional Japanese gardening philosophies rooted in Buddhist, Taoist, and Shinto traditions where gardens serve as spaces for meditation and spiritual practice. It represents Indo-Japanese cultural exchange and friendship, incorporating design principles of balance (Sumi), emptiness (Ma), and harmony with nature. The garden serves as an educational platform promoting understanding of Japanese aesthetics and philosophy within India.