Aurangabad City Map

Founded in 1610 by Malik Ambar, Aurangabad was then known as "Khidki" meaning window, and then renamed Fatehpur. The city served the real purpose (window) of its ancient name as the Mughals could look into the Deccan through it.

Later in 1953 the city was renamed as Aurangabad when Aurangazeb took over the Deccan kingdom and made it the capital to suppress the rising power of Marathas under Shivaji. Aurangabad is now being developed as a modern city, with all comforts and modern facilities to cater to the tourists.

Aurangabad is a town as well as a district of Maharashtra and its ancient history dates back to 6th Century AD with evidence of Buddhist influence.

Aurangabad is most famous for its historical monuments and caves that attract tourists from far and near.

The most renowned tourist attraction of Aurangabad is Bibi-Ka-Maqbara, built in memory of Aurangazeb's wife, Begum Rabia Durani.

Among others there are Aurangabad Caves, Panchakki, Himroo Factory, Darwazas, Daulatabad Fort, Khuldabad, Shirdi, Grishneshwar jyotirlinga Temple, Paithan, Ajanta and Ellora Caves, and History Museum of Marathwada University.

Attractions:

Bibi-Ka-Maqbara

: 5 km away from Aurangabad, built in the memory of Begum Rabia Durani, by her son Prince Azam Shah, Bibi-ka-Maqbara is a complete replica of Taj Mahal. It is an excellent example of the Persian Architecture.

Aurangabad Caves

: Travel a few kilometres from bibi-ka-maqbara and you would reach the rock cut Aurangabad Caves. The excavation of these caves dates them back in time between 2nd to 6th centuries AD. Carved out of the hill side of Sihaychal ranges, there are 12 caves in all, protected under Archaeological Survey of India.

Ajanta and Ellora Caves

: Aurangabad is most famous for the 34 caves of Ellora and 29 caves of Ajanta; now part of UNESCO world Heritage Sites. Classical dance and misic festivals are organised here usually in the month of March.

Kailash Temple

: The world's largest monolithic sculpture, the Kailash Temple is to be found in Ellora. It is an engineering marvel and believed to be the work of aliens as almost nothing is known about the origins, constructors and builders of this awe inspiring magnificient structure. There are no dates neither, any trace or inscriptions and it is precise in all respects with zero margins for error. "It has the largest cantilevered rock ceiling in the world." Intricately carved pillars depict scenes from the Ramayana, Mahabharat and life of Lord Krishna.

Panchakki

: Built in the pre Mughal era this enormous water mill was used for grain grinding. It's an example of a 17th century engineering wonder where energy generated by flowing water of a spring is used to move large grinding stones.

Himroo Factory

: A glimpse of conventional type of Himroo Weaving can be seen at the Himroo factory situated at Aurangabad's Zaffer gate. The fiber used is silk and home grown cotton. Himroo weave is a Persian art and the fabric was used by royals using gold and silver thread. You can also buy shawls and saris from this factory.

Hand woven Paithani Silk Sarees

: from Paithan town in Aurangabad district. Fine silk woven by hand with gold border and peacock design 'pallu' is one of the richest sarrees in India.

Bidri and Paper work

: or silver inlay work on metal (blackened Zinc and copper alloy) originated in Bidar in Karnataka and travelled to Aurangabad under the patronage of the Nizam of Hyderabad. It is an important export handicraft of India.

Daulatabad Fort

: Daulatbad or "the city of fortune" was named by the Delhi Sultan Muhammad Tughlaq. 13 km away from Aurangabad this fort is known to be the oldest existing forts of India. The Devagiri-Daulatabad fort as it is commonly known is a hill fortress standing on a conical hill and is an engineering marvel built in 12th Century.

Khuldabad

: 3km from Ellora this town houses the tomb of emperor Aurangazeb. It is considered a holy place because of the mausoleums of Sayyed Zain ud din and Ganj Ravan Ganj Baksh, saints highly revered by the Muslims.

Shirdi

: The land of a spiritual master,Saint Sai Baba, Shirdi is 130km away from Aurangabad. With a puja every Thursday thousands of devotees pay pilgrimage at Shirdi.

Anwa Temple

: This shiva temple dates back to 12th century.

The Pitalkhora Caves

: on the Aurangabad - Chalisgaon road, consist of 14 Buddhist Caves The inscriptions found here dates from 250 B.C. to 3rd - 4th century A.D. Animal motifs and yaksa figures can be seen as sculpted in this cave.

Lonar Crater

: is an almost round depression believed to be formed as a result of a meteorite striking the earth some 52,000 years ago as per geological studies. The crater is now a lake with emerald green water which is both saline and alkaline at the same time. Several temples ruins can be seen on the periphery of the lake.

Sunheri Mahal

: A huge yellow structure standing against mud coloured hills, as the name suggests, shines in sunlight. Built in 1651-53, the palace is now a museum displaying swords, cannons, guns, musical instruments, treasure chests and other treasures of the region.

How to get there

: Aurangabad airport is connected to Mumbai, Delhi, Udaipur and Jaipur. There are 2 trains from Mumbai to Aurangabad every day. There are also several state and luxury buses from Mumbai to Aurangabad. Many star and luxury hotels are available at Aurangabad.


Last Updated on : January 6, 2018

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