Katraj

Katraj is suburb of Pune in the Indian state of Maharashtra, and within the jurisdiction of Pune Municipal Corporation. Katraj is famous for its Peshwa-era lake that supplied water to the city during that period. The village lies at the foot of the Katraj Ghat or mountain pass on the main National Highway 4 connecting Pune with places south of the city, such as Kolhapur and Bangalore. In recent decades area surrounding the lake and the village of Katraj became part the City of Pune. The former rural area is now surrounded by residential complexes. The lakeside hosts the Rajiv Gandhi Zoological Park. Bharati Vidyapeeth, a deemed university, has its main campus here. A large Jain temple was built here in late 20th century.