Aurangabad

Aurangabad is a fascinating city of Maharashtra known for its warm hospitality, culture, lifestyle and close proximity to the world famous tourist destinations Ajanta and Ellora Caves. The city got its name from the Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb. It is known as the ‘City of gates’ as once it had around 52 gates out of which only four major ones and nine minor ones survived the test of time.

Major attractions of Aurangabad

Ajanta and Ellora Caves
The gem of Maharashtra tourism, Ajanta and Ellora Caves are UNESCO World Heritage Sites. These are rock-cut Buddhist cave monuments dating back to hundreds of years ago. Their art work and craftsmanship deserve special mention. The walls are adorned with arresting paintings of Lord Buddha and Bodhisattavas and incidents from Buddha’s life. Some of the caves consist of monasteries. They are the perfect examples of the beauty of Indian art. Ellora Caves are located around 108 km from the Ajant Caves.

Bibi ka Maqbara
It’s a fantastic example of Mughal architecture built by Aurangzeb’s son in memory of his mother in 1679. It is the replica of the world famous Taj Mahal because of which it is also known as Dakkhani Taj (Taj of the Deccan).

Daulatabad Fort
Located 13 km from Aurangabad, this fort is perched on a hill and dates back to the 12th century. It is one of the best preserved forts of India. It has several structures worth a visit.

Ghrishneshwar Temple
Located just half a km from Ellora Caves, this temple is one of the 12 Jyotirlingas in India where devotees come from far and wide. Its walls are beautifully sculpted.

Panchakki
Literally meaning ‘water mill’, Panchakki is a mill which gets water from an underground channel. There is an artificial waterfall near the Panchakki through which the water is discharged onto the wheel. There is a lovely garden with fountains at the Panchakki.

Jama Masjid
It is a famous mosque in Aurangabad where people come in large numbers. It was built under the guidance of Emperor Aurangzeb.

Museums
The city boasts of several museums such as Sunheri Mahal Museum, Chhatrapati Shivaji Museum and University Museum, each having its own unique collections.

Shopping in Aurangabad
Auragnabad offers amazing shopping items such as Paithani sarees, Himru shawls (a blend of cotton and silk), silver crafts, semi-precious stone jewellery, old coins dating back to the Mughal period.

How to reach
The airport in Aurangabad operates flights to major cities of India like Mumbai and Delhi. It is also well connected by rail and road to the other destinations of Maharashtra.