Laxmi Road

The best way to explore Laxmi Road is to choose one end of the roughly 2-mile (3-kilometer) road and follow your eyes through the cacophony of shops. Take a heritage walking tour if you want guidance to sort through the sensory overload of teeming shops. Such tours explore the road with a guide and continue to top sites in central Pune, such as the Shaniwar Wada and the Kasba Peth Ganpati Temple.

• It is ideal for travelers interested in seeing where the people of Pune shop and who want to practice haggling skills.

• Although you can find nearly anything for purchase on the road, clothing shops are considered a highlight.

• Eateries serving everything from north Indian cuisine to desserts and fast food line the street.

Laxmi Road is in the center of Pune—running about 2 miles (3 kilometers) from Alka Square in the Sadashiv Peth area to Quarter Gate Square in Rasta Peth. If driving, head towards the city center and follow signs for Laxmi Road. The Deccan Gymkhana and Chhatrapati Sambhaji Garden subway stations are within walking distance of the west side of the road, but rickshaws and taxis are usually more convenient.

Laxmi Road is among Pune's busiest shopping hubs and is almost always full of activity. The clamor is part of the allure (and the fun), but you can visit early in the morning or the evening before shops close to skip the worst of it. Generally, the best time to visit the state of Maharashtra is from October to March, sidestepping the punishingly hot summer and the rains of the monsoon season.

If you find yourself on the west side of Laxmi Road near the Mutha River and need a place to grab a bite, try Potter's, which specializes in biryani, a South Asian fried rice dish (sometimes street food) served with meat, fish, or veggies flavored with turmeric or saffron.