Is named after the Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb. Its history dates back to the 2nd century B.C. Aurangzeb fortified the city with 54 gates. It is rapidly turning into an industrial area, but it still retains its past glory. It has a rich culture. Aurangabad is a place worth visiting. It attracts not only Indians but foreign tourist also. Aurangabad has many historical places which one would like to visit.
Bibi-Ka-Maqbara
This resembles the ‘Taj Mahal’. It was built by Aurangzeb’s oldest son. It is known as the ‘Deccan Taj’ and is an example of Mughal architecture. Built between 1651 and 1661, it has well planned gardens, fountains and pathways. One has to take a flight of steps from all four sides as the tomb is built on a high, square platform. The interiors of the dome have windows of trellis work and intrinsic floral carvings. The dome alone is built using marble while the other parts of the maqbara have sandstone with plastered walls. (Tourist have to pay an entry fee and the visiting hours are from 8am to 6pm). This maqbara is a tribute of a son to his loving mother Begum Rabia Durani.
Aurangabad Caves
These caves were sculpted between the 2nd and 6th century. They were excavated from soft rock. They are 10 in number. They are divided into Western group and Eastern group of caves. They are almost 1 km apart. Cave 4 of the western group is the oldest. Cave 6 of the eastern group has a large statue of Buddha with a form of Ganesh.
The fourth cave is supported by 12 columns depicting carvings of scenes from the famous Jakata Tales. The sculpture of ‘Bodhisatva’ attracts the tourist.
Panchakki
This is a watermill and dates back to the 17th century. A beautiful garden surrounds it. The mill is used to grind grains.
Daulatabad Fort
This fort is on the way to Ellora caves. It is about 13 km from Aurangabad. It is well placed on a gorgeous hill which houses the 12th century fortress. Do climb to the top of the fort through the Bat Cave. It was one of the most powerful forts in India. As you see the fort, you come to know how huge it is, and the iron studs remind the visitors that a fort is built for resisting the enemy.
Khuldabad
It is a religious centre, and there are tombs of Muhammedin saints and both are most worshipped. One is of Burhan-ud-din and the other of Zain-ud-din. In and around Khuldabad are Aurangzeb’s tomb and of Azam Shah and his wife.
Killa Arak
This place was built during Aurangzeb’s era. Now in ruins it extended from Delhi to Mecca gate. It has four entrances. There was a mosque in the Darbar Hall called the Jumma Masjid. Aurangzeb’s Throne Room was in the garden.
Tomb of Aurangzeb
This is a simple tomb of the great Mughal Emperor. Raised about a foot from the ground lies his grave. In accordance with the Islamic principles, his tomb is an open air grave, unlike other Emperors who have a large mausoleum. The then Viceroy of India Lord Curzon appreciated the simplicity of Aurangzeb’s tomb. It is a simple monument yet in its simplicity lies its beauty.
Ajanta Caves
A group of British officers discovered the Ajanta Caves. They are 106 km from Aurangabad. They were built by Buddhist monks. They are 30 caves in all. You will find Buddhist cathedrals in the first 5 caves. There are Buddhist monasteries in the other caves.
The Chaityas are rectangular shaped chambers which depict the various incarnations of Buddha. The Viharas are rectangular shaped halls.
The paintings in these caves are from the Jataka Tales. Ajanta caves are hidden in a valley, and a rivulet flows through it. There is a serene and peaceful atmosphere around the caves so the monks could meditate and pray away from all humanity. The monks by their art and skills depicted the stories about Buddha in these caves. Cave 2 resembles Elephanta Caves near Mumbai, which is also in the state of Maharashtra, India. The entrance to Cave 2 has motifs and grand picture of Buddha depicting scenes from his life.
Cave 16 has a doorway with beautifully carved goddesses on it. If you stand in the porch of this cave, you will witness the view of a wonderful ravine outside. There is a statue of a seated Buddha in the cave. There are some paintings which one just goes on admiring. The unvoiced paintings tell a story of the Dying Princess.
Timings are from 9am to 5pm, Tuesday to Sunday. Closed on all national holidays.
Ellora Caves
In these masterpiece caves, three main faiths namely Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism are depicted. The carvings in these caves date back between 350AD and 700AD. There are 34 caves in all with beautiful cave architecture. The caves to the south are Buddhist, numbering 12 in all. The 17 centre ones are Hindu, and the remaining 5 caves to the north are Jain.
Among these caves, there are some important ones which the tourist should visit. Cave 10 is the Prayer Hall. There is a 15 foot statue of a seated Buddha at the heart of this cave. Cave 15 was a Buddhist monastery. It is known as a Dashavatare cave. It has an open courtyard, and at the back it has a two-levelled temple. The wall panels are well depicted with the 10 avatars of Lord Vishnu.
Cave 16 is where the Kailasa temple is situated. The temple has stories of the Puranas in delicate carvings. This is a monolithic cave. In this cave, you will find a grand structure of Ravana trying to lift Mount Kailash, which is the home of Shiva. Ellora caves are listed in the World Heritage list. They are at a distance of 30 km from Aurangabad.
Ghrishneshwar Temple
This temple is built of red volcanic rock. It has a 5-tier shikara. The crown of the shikara is an unerect bull at each corner having a monkey behind it. This temple is about half a kilometre from the Ellora caves. Its architecture is outstanding and it attracts many pilgrims who worship Lord Shiva.
Bani Begum Gardens
The tomb of the Begum lies in the centre of a large well-planned garden. It is in Khuldabad. The garden has cisterns and fountains. Four minarets surround this tomb. The mausoleum has intricate jali work. It is a must-see monument for its beauty, grace and aesthetic layout.
History Museum and Shivaji Museum
This museum is at the campus of the Marathwada University. It has a number of artefacts, some of which are ancient paintings, fine sculptures from excavated sites, coins, etc.
Shivaji Museum is dedicated to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, the great Maratha warrior. Exhibits associated with Shivaji are displayed here. This museum is on the way to the Ajanta caves.
Connaught
Aurangabad is not only historical, but it has a shopper’s paradise called Connaught. You will find sarees and himroo shawls with delicate designs of flowers, parrots, peacocks and caves. The Kam Khab is the place where this beautiful art is done using silver and golden threads with cotton. A number of tourists also visit the Himroo Factory.
Gul Mandi
Aurangabad can boast of one of the largest bazaars. Best quality products are sold here.
Mhaismol
It is a little hill station at an altitude of 1,067mts. You will find this on your way from Khuldabad to Ellora. This is a replica of the Balaji Temple at Tirupati. It is right there on the top of the hill. You get a scenic view of the valley and the surroundings.
Aurangabad has other places for the tourist to see –
Gautala Sanctuary is 70 km from Aurangabad.
Sant Dyaneshwar Gardens are spread over 90 acres of land, well-planned and beautifully laid out.
Paithan is renowned for its gorgeous Paithani sarees.
Siddhart Garden and Zoo which the children will love to visit. They can spot and name some animals like the leopard, white tiger, deer, fox, etc. It is good to enjoy a family picnic here.
Aurangabad is well-connected by road, rail and air. The Chikalthana Airport is 10km from the city and is connected with other major cities in India.
Aurangabad has moderate temperature with low humidity. The best time to visit is from October to March. Winters are very pleasant and a perfect time for exploring Aurangabad and places around it.
The accommodation at Aurangabad is very good for it has budget hotels to mid-segment hotels and luxury hotels.
