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Aurangabad city in Maharashtra is also known as the City of Gates. The preferred destination of Mughal emperor Aurangzeb, the city has moved ahead in its path of development. In fact, it is listed as one of the fastest developing cities in Asia. However, the city still offers a tantalizing peek into its past. A past filled with historical significance, grandeur and beauty!
The many monuments and tourist attractions, both in and around Aurangabad, drives tourists in large numbers every year. The popular Ajantha and Ellora caves is visited by droves of travellers every year. The city of Aurangabad itself has many interesting monuments, depicting a slice of Indian history. Here is a look at some of the must-visit places in Aurangabad.
Ajantha Caves
Located at a distance of 106 km from Aurangabad city, Ajantha caves is a popular sightseeing place. The caves with part of the structure belonging to the 2nd century BC, attract tourists from all over the country to admire the 30 rock-cut cave structures. These Buddhist caves cut into the rock facade in a semi-circular pattern, houses some exquisite cave paintings and sculptures, which represent scenes from the Jakarta tales. The caves have sections dedicated to education, living and worship. Currently an UNESCO World Heritage Site, it is definitely a place to visit, while in Aurangabad.
Photo Courtesy: The Yorck Project
Ellora Caves
En-route from Aurangabad to Ajantha caves is another interesting archaeological site, built during the Rashtrakuta dynasty. The Ellora caves is a World Heritage Site and consists of 34 rock-cut cave structures. Built into the Charanandri Hills, these caves have both Buddhist and Jain temples. Beautiful sculptures adorn the caves. The temple dedicated to Lord Shiva known as Kailasa is definitely worth observing for its astounding architecture. This famous tourist attraction is located 31.4 km from Aurangabad city.
Photo Courtesy: Y.Shishido
Daulatabad
Among the places to visit while in Aurangabad is the 14th century city of Daulatabad or Devagiri. The name Daulatabad is translated as 'land of wealth' and Devagiri means 'hill of the gods', though deserted due to the lack of water, the place continues to hold its charm for the travellers. The famous attraction here is the Fort of Daulatabad. Located on a conical hill, this immensely fortified structure is a great example of military strategy. Today the fort stands amongst lush greenery and is definitely worth a visit.
Photo Courtesy: Danial Chitnis
Gates of Aurangabad
Among the places to visit in Aurangabad are its many gates. The city is even known as the City of Gates, owing to the 52 gates that are located here. However, with the passage of time, only 13 gates are still standing. The oldest is the Bhadkal Gate or Victory Gate. The largest is the Delhi Gate. The architecture and form of these gates are interesting to observe.
Photo Courtesy: Richard Randall
Bibi Ka Maqbara
Popularly known as the poor man's Taj Mahal, the Bibi Ka Maqbara holds a striking resemblance to the Taj Mahal in Agra. Built by Aurangazeb in the memory of his first wife, this structure is built in marble upto the dado height and laid out in the Charbagh layout. The Bibi Ka Maqbara is a popular sightseeing place in Aurangabad.
Photo Courtesy: Danial Chitnis
Himayat Baugh
A beautiful place in Aurangabad that you must visit is the Himayat Baugh. Built in the 17th century, the garden currently functions as a part of Marathwada Agricultural University. Located near the Delhi Gate, this beautiful garden spans an area of over 300 acres. Within the park, the atmosphere is tranquil and you can observe many varieties of vegetation, including fruit yielding trees. Another noteworthy feature is the Barra Darri, an underground water chamber.
Photo Courtesy: IXU79
Salim Ali Lake
A popular sightseeing place in Aurangabad is the Salim Ali Lake, situated near the Delhi Gate. The lake offers boating options for tourists, as well as a great place for bird watchers and photographers. The lake also consists of a small sanctuary for birds.
Photo Courtesy: Harshad Gopnarayan
Panchakki
Aurangabad's tourist attractions include the interesting Panchakki or water-mill. It is a stellar example of architecture and engineering skills from the medieval era in India. Built in the 17th century, the water-mill used energy from the flowing water to enable the grinders at the flour mill located on the hill.
Photo Courtesy: Cool Spark
Food and Shopping
A great place for those who enjoy food, especially for the non-vegetarians, the city of Aurangabad serves exotic Mughalai cuisine. Make sure you don't miss the naankhaliya and for dessert the mawa jalebis. You can also indulge in paya and naan for breakfast!
Check the best hotel deals in Aurangabad here.
Photo Courtesy: Luca Nebuloni
How to Reach Aurangabad
By Road: Aurangabad is well connected by both state and private bus transport. It is linked by both the national highways and state highways, providing excellent connectivity.
By Rail: The Aurangabad Railway Station has direct trains to major destinations like Delhi, Mumbai Hyderabad, Pune, etc.
By Air: The Chikkalthana International Airport in Aurangabad has regular flights from all leading providers to all major destinations in India and outside.
Photo Courtesy: Travelling Slacker
