German Bakery blasts - 10 years on: Re-inventing German Bakery, from horror scene to menu of joy

Kunal Udane took over the bakery from the Kharoses, and ever since the fateful incident, has held a candle-lit march at 7.15 pm each year on Fenruary 13, the time at which the blast occurred

February 13, 2010, is a black-letter day for most residents of Koregaon Park, especially those within the vicinity of the city’s iconic German Bakery on North main road.

THEN: The inside of the German Bakery in Pune on February 15, 2010, two days after the bomb blast. (HT/PHOTO)

A blast was triggered by an improvised explosive device (IED) using an ammonium nitrate fuel-oil mix, with RDX as a booster, at German Bakery on this day 10 years ago, killing 17 people inside the bakery and leaving 60 others injured.

Dnyaneshwar Kharose founded the German Bakery in 1988, and on the wings of Osho ashram, which rapidly grew as a destination, both for Rajneesh followers and for tourists, the bakery became a must-see on any Pune visitor’s list; and a hangout for a smorgasboard of locals, from hip collegians to nouveau, upwardly mobile Punekars.

Kunal Udane took over the bakery from the Kharoses, and ever since the fateful incident, has held a candle-lit march at 7.15 pm each year on Fenruary 13, the time at which the blast occurred.

NOW: Colourful and delicious. The interior of the German Bakery in Koregaon Park on February 12, 2020. (Shankar Narayan/HT PHOTO)

“It is our way to pay homage to those who lost their lives. Many of our patrons gather together and remember their loved ones and friends whom they lost on that fateful day,” said Udane, who has since ensure the bakery is a happy, cheerful place, with bright colours and a substanial menu spread.

“The bakery is now an 80-cover cafe. We want the patrons to feel a positive vibe and enjoy it as they used to,” said Udane.