Last updated: August 2026
Aga Khan Palace in Kalyani Nagar is where Mahatma Gandhi, Kasturba Gandhi and Mahadev Desai were imprisoned during the Quit India Movement of 1942. Both Kasturba and Mahadev Desai passed away here, and their samadhis stand on the palace grounds. Today it is a national memorial with a Gandhi museum, quiet lawns and some of the finest Italian-arch architecture in Pune. This guide covers the ticket price, timings, history and everything you should know before visiting. It is part of my bigger list of places to visit in Pune.
Aga Khan Palace: quick info
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Location | Pune Nagar Road, Kalyani Nagar, Pune 411014 |
| Entry fee | ₹25 (Indians) | ₹300 (foreigners) | Children below 15 free |
| Timings | 9:00 AM to 5:30 PM, open all 7 days |
| Contact | 020 2688 0250 |
| Time needed | 1.5 to 2 hours |
| Built | 1892, by Sultan Muhammed Shah Aga Khan III |
| Managed by | Gandhi National Memorial Society (ASI protected monument) |
| Distance | 7 km from Pune Railway Station, 4 km from the airport |
Aga Khan Palace ticket price 2026
Entry costs ₹25 for Indian citizens and ₹300 for foreign nationals, the standard rate for ASI protected monuments. Children below 15 years enter free. Some older websites still show the previous ₹5 rate, which has been revised. Tickets are sold at the gate, and the counter closes with the palace at 5:30 PM.
Aga Khan Palace timings
The palace is open every day of the week from 9:00 AM to 5:30 PM, including weekends. Timings can change on national holidays like Gandhi Jayanti (October 2), when special programs are held here, so call 020 2688 0250 before visiting on those dates. Mornings are the quietest time; school groups usually arrive between 11 AM and 2 PM.
The history in short
Sultan Muhammed Shah Aga Khan III built the palace in 1892, and there was a generous reason behind it: the construction gave employment to villagers hit by famine in the region. The building has five halls with Italian arches and covers 1,756 square metres over two floors, surrounded by large lawns.
Its place in Indian history was sealed in August 1942. After the Quit India resolution, the British interned Mahatma Gandhi here along with Kasturba Gandhi and his secretary Mahadev Desai. Desai died within days of arriving. Kasturba passed away here in February 1944 after 21 months of detention. Their samadhis, designed by architect Charles Correa, stand in the palace gardens, and a portion of Gandhiji’s ashes is also kept here.
In 1969, Aga Khan IV donated the palace to the people of India as a mark of respect to Gandhiji. The Gandhi National Memorial Society has managed it since, and the Archaeological Survey of India declared it a monument of national importance in 2003.
What to see inside
The Gandhi museum is the heart of the visit. It displays Gandhiji’s personal belongings: his clothes, utensils, letters and photographs from the internment years, kept in the same rooms where he lived. The room where Kasturba spent her final days is preserved as it was.
In the gardens behind the palace are the samadhis of Kasturba Gandhi and Mahadev Desai. Most visitors find this the most moving part of the palace, and people keep their voices low here out of respect.
There is also a khadi shop on the premises run by the memorial society, selling handmade textiles and cotton garments. The society continues to run training programs in traditional crafts, which was one of Gandhiji’s core ideas.
Photography rules
Photography is allowed in the gardens and of the palace exterior. Inside the museum galleries, restrictions apply, so ask the staff before taking pictures there. The palace lawns and the arched corridors are the most photographed spots.
How to reach Aga Khan Palace
Address: Pune Nagar Road, Kalyani Nagar, Pune, Maharashtra 411014.
- By train: Pune Railway Station is about 7 km away; an auto or cab takes 20 to 25 minutes depending on Nagar Road traffic.
- By air: Pune Airport is only 4 km away, making this the closest major attraction to the airport.
- By bus: PMPML buses on the Nagar Road route stop near the palace gate.
- Parking: Available near the entrance for cars and two wheelers.
Best time to visit
October to March is the most comfortable season, since a good part of the visit is walking through lawns and open corridors. If you want the palace at its most meaningful, visit on October 2 (Gandhi Jayanti) or January 30 (Martyrs’ Day), when prayer meetings and programs are held here. For a quiet experience, come on a weekday morning right at 9 AM.
Places to visit near Aga Khan Palace
The palace sits in the Kalyani Nagar and Koregaon Park belt, so you can easily pair it with other spots. History lovers should combine it with Shaniwar Wada in the old city for a full Pune history day. Families can head to the Empress Botanical Garden or plan an evening at the BAPS Shree Swaminarayan Mandir. The full list is in my guide to places to visit in Pune.
आगा खान पॅलेस: तिकीट आणि वेळ (मराठी माहिती)
आगा खान पॅलेस, कल्याणी नगर, पुणे येथे प्रवेश तिकीट भारतीयांसाठी ₹२५ आणि परदेशी नागरिकांसाठी ₹३०० आहे. १५ वर्षांखालील मुलांना प्रवेश मोफत आहे. वेळ: सकाळी ९ ते संध्याकाळी ५:३०, आठवड्याचे सातही दिवस खुले. येथे महात्मा गांधी, कस्तुरबा गांधी आणि महादेव देसाई यांना १९४२ मध्ये स्थानबद्ध करण्यात आले होते. कस्तुरबा गांधी आणि महादेव देसाई यांच्या समाधी येथेच आहेत.
FAQs about Aga Khan Palace
What is the Aga Khan Palace ticket price in 2026?
₹25 for Indian citizens and ₹300 for foreigners. Children below 15 enter free. Tickets are available at the gate.
What are the palace timings?
9:00 AM to 5:30 PM, all 7 days of the week. Timings may change on national holidays when special programs are held.
Why is Aga Khan Palace famous?
Mahatma Gandhi, Kasturba Gandhi and Mahadev Desai were imprisoned here during the Quit India Movement in 1942. Kasturba and Desai passed away here, and their samadhis are on the grounds.
How much time is needed to see the palace?
1.5 to 2 hours is enough to cover the museum, the samadhis and the gardens at a relaxed pace.
Is photography allowed at Aga Khan Palace?
Yes, in the gardens and exterior areas. Restrictions apply inside the museum galleries, so ask the staff first.
Which is the nearest railway station?
Pune Railway Station, about 7 km away. The palace is also just 4 km from Pune Airport.