Aurangabad is the tourism capital of Maharashtra. It is famous for caves of Ajanta and Ellora, Daulatabad Fort, Bibi-Ka-Maqbara and Grishneshwar Temple which are majestic wonders attracting tourists all around the year.
Aurangabad is located in Maharashtra and the Government of Maharashtra has declared Aurangabad as the tourism capital of Maharashtra. The town is famous for caves of Ajanta and Ellora, Daulatabad Fort which is renowned for its strong defence systems, Mausoleums of Aurangzeb and Bibi-Ka-Maqbara famous for its architecture and Grishneshwar Temple, one of the only 12 Shiva Jyotirlingas in India.
The delicious traditional Tughlaq cuisine, with Tandoors and Kebabs being local staples that you will find at almost every roadside eatery. The town is well known for its arts and crafts, and especially its silk, Aurangabad has plenty of markets from where you can buy various local handicrafts, exotic gems, shawls, and of course, the region’s famous paithani silk sarees.
From UNESCO World Heritage Sites to bustling markets brimming with delicate silk items and exquisite hand-woven garments, Aurangabad promises all tourists an exciting holiday experience. While the city is rapidly heading towards industrial growth and globalization, it still retains most of its past glory, heritage, charms and traditions.
Bibi ka Maqbara, Aurangabad
This monument of Aurangabad has resemblance to Taj Mahal, the Bibi ka Maqbara is a beautiful tomb of Rabia- Ul - Daurani alias Dilras Banu Begum, the wife of Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb. Bibi ka Maqbara was constructed by Aurangzeb in the year 1661 in the memory of his wife.
The Bibi ka Maqbara intended to rival the Taj Mahal, but because of the decline in architecture and the proportions of the structure, it completely resulted in a copied form of the same. The Tomb is a very popular attraction and the monument along with the backdrop of the mountain ranges bring out something beautiful.
Ellora caves, Aurangabad
The Ellora caves are UNESCO World Heritage Site that the town boasts of, are the Ellora caves, that one must not miss while in Aurangabad. The sculptures here, represent elements of three religions and do so grandly and beautifully. The caves are marvelous structure which are a real wonder for human till today.
Grishneshwar temple, Aurangabad
The Grishneshwar Temple located in Ellora is one of the 12 Jyotirlingas in India, it is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This temple in Aurangabad is dedicated to Lord Shiva and is considered an important pilgrimage site. Entry to the Grishneshwar Temple is open to all, but to enter the Garbhagriha, men need to be bare-chested.
The temple architecture follows a South Indian Style and it is known to be one of the holiest places to visit in Aurangabad. The five-tiered shikhara of the Grishneshwar Temple is spectacularly carved and constructed in the traditional temple architecture style.
Daulatabad Fort, Aurangabad
The Daulatabad Fort is located just 15 km away from the main city of Aurangabad, The Fort is an ancient fortification that rises formidably in the lushly green surrounding. The fort is also known as Devgiri fort, the most enchanting qualities is its location, from the zenith of which you can capture a mesmerising view of the entire city.
One of the most inspiring aspects of the Daulatabad Fort is its design which makes it one of the most powerful fortresses of the medieval period. Another unique aspect of the mighty Devgiri Fort is its engineering genius, which not only provided a defense against enemy forces but also managed irreplaceable resources of water quite well.
Aurangabad caves, Aurangabad
The Aurangabad Caves are twelve rock-cut Buddhist shrines, located around 20km north-west of Aurangabad. The Caves are carved out of Soft Basalt Rock, these are considered as one of the most spectacular caves in India. The Aurangabad Caves are also considered ideal for trekking.
The stunning caves were mostly Buddhist Viharas and are now under the protection of the Archaeological Survey of India. The definite attraction of the Aurangabad Caves is its sculptures.
Siddharth Garden, Aurangabad
The Siddharth Garden is a well laid out and green landscaped, Garden also enclosing a park as well as zoo together. The Siddharth Garden is a popular picnic spot for the locals of Aurangabad. The park is especially popular among joggers, nature lovers and photographers. It remains quite crowded in the evenings, especially on weekends.
The vibrant Siddharth Garden is elaborate with vibrant flowers, majestic trees and colourful lawns, which are well designed and maintained. Another highlight of the garden is the zoo, where one can find a number of wild animals such as tigers, lions, leopards, civet cats, snakes, crocodiles, emu, fox, deer, hyena etc. There is also an aquarium in Siddharth Garden where one can look at a variety of colorful fishes. It makes for an enjoyable spot for children.
Bani Begum Garden, Aurangabad
Present at a distance of 24km from Aurangabad this astonishingly beautiful Bani Begum Garden with fountains, fluted pillars & massive domes. Bani Begum Garden is a lush green site showcasing Mughal architecture and owes its name to Aurangzeb's son's wife, Bani Begum. This garden is popular among the locals and is a popular picnic spot for families.
The Buddhist Caves, Aurangabad
The Buddhist Caves include viharas or monasteries. In these caves, several monasteries have shrines that are carved with paintings and sculptures of Buddha, Bodhisattva and Saints.
Among all, Chaitya hall Cave number 10 is the most famous Buddhist cave. This cave features a cathedral-like stupa hall, which is called as chaityas. In the centre of this cave, there is 15-feet high statue of Buddha. This is a popular attraction among the Buddhists.
Kailashanatha Temple, Aurangabad
The Kailashanatha temple is the largest monolithic rock-cut structure in the world located in cave 16 of Ellora Caves in Aurangabad. Carved out of single basalt rock from Charanandri Hills, it is one of the exceptional temples of India owing to its massive size, amazing architecture and mind-boggling carvings. With its intricate designs on panels, monolithic pillars and statues of animals and deities, Kailasa Temple is an engineering marvel perfect for history and architecture lovers.
Khuldabad, Aurangabad
Khuldabad is a town present just 13 km from Aurangabad. Khuldabad is also popular as the "Valley of Saints", because the city was resided by several Sufi saints in the 14th century. This holy city is home to several important historic monuments like Aurangzeb's Tomb, Dargah of Zar Zari Zar Baksh, Shaikh Burhan ud-din Gharib Chisti and Shaikh Zain-ud-din Shirazi. Khuldabad also houses the famous Bhadra Maruti Temple dedicated to Lord Hanuman. The ruins of the monuments from the Mughal era can still be noticed here.
Best time to visit Aurangabad
The winters (November to February) are the best time to visit Aurangabad. Winters are pleasant with clear skies and cold temperature, making it a lovely holidaying experience. Since most of the tourist attractions in the city are located outdoors, it is best to avoid the monsoons as it severely restricts sightseeing activities.
Conclusion
Aurangabad has picturesque landscapes, viewpoints and cultural attractions which makes it a dream destination for every traveler. Whether you want to enjoy tranquility within nature or an adrenaline pump through adventure activities, Aurangabad has something to offer for every traveler who visits the destination. So Plan your trip today to this beautiful destination, and get ready to be mesmerized by natural beauty and cultural richness of Aurangabad.
