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Aurangabad Travel
Category:- All India Travel Tourism > City Guide > Maharashtra > Aurangabad
The city of Aurangabad was founded by Malik Ambar, the Prime Minister of
Murtaza Nizam Shah II, in 1610, on the site of a village, Khirki. When Fateh
Khan, Malik Ambar's son succeeded the throne in 1626, he named the city
'Fatehpur'. In 1653, when Aurangzeb became the Viceroy of the Deccan, he
made it his capital, and renamed it Aurangabad. A region that has been inhabited
since the Stone Ages, Aurangabad has seen several dynasties come and go,
absorbing the culture of each into itself.
Maurya
rule heralded the advent of Buddhism in the state of Maharashtra. The
earliest caves at Ajanta and Pithalkora were excavated in the 2nd century
BC, during the Satvahana era. Paithan, then known as Pratishthana, was
an important trade centre at the time. Buddhism flowered during the Chalukya
period, which consequently saw the mushrooming of many viharas (monasteries),
and chaityas (chapels), that were later excavated at Aurangabad, Ajanta
and Ellora. Later, the Rashtrakutas built many temples, significantly,
the Kailasa temple at Ellora, an unparalleled piece of ancient Indian
architecture.
What to See | Around Aurangabad | How to Get There | Hotels to Stay | Contact
What To See
Aurangabad Caves:
Just outside the city, lie the Aurangabad caves, excavated between the
2nd and 6th century AD. Tantric influences can be discerned in their architecture
and iconography.There are twelve caves in all, a major chunk of which
are viharas, of which Caves 3 and 7, are the most fascinating. Cave 3
stands supported by 12 finely carved columns, and sports sculptures portraying
scenes from the Jataka tales. Cave 7 houses an imposing sculpture of a
Boddhisattva, praying for deliverance.
Bibi - Ka - Maqbara:
The Bibi - Ka - Maqbara was built in 1679, by Aurangzeb's son, as a tribute
to his mother Begum Rabia Durani. A replica of the Taj Mahal, this monument
is the only specimen of Mughal architecture of its kind, in the Deccan
plateau.
Pan Chakki:
Dating back to the 17th century, this ingenious watermill, that takes
its name from the mill, which used to grind grain for the pilgrims, was
designed to generate energy via water, brought down from a spring on a
mountain, located nearby. The energy generated was, further, used to turn
the large grinding stones of the flour mill. It was built by Malik Ambar
himself, in 1695. In 1624, a Sufi saint who was much revered by Aurangzeb
was buried here, the gardens and fish tanks serve as his memorial.
Around Aurangabad
Daulatabad:
Just 13 kms from Aurangabad , standing on a pyramid - shaped hill, is
this impressive fortress, once known as 'Devgiri'. Built in the 12th century
by Bhillama, the king of the Yadav dynasty, it was named Daulatabad, the
city of fortune, by Mohammed Bin Tughlaq, Sultan of Delhi. The Sultan
was so taken with this fortress, that he decided to shift his capital
here. A 5 km massive wall, artificial scarping, spiked gates, dungeons
and a variety of complicated defence systems rendered Daulatabad impregnable.
The 30 metre high Chand Minar, built by the Bahmani rulers is another
famous landmark of the area.
Khuldabad:
Khuldabad, or heavenly abode, is a just a few kms away from Daulatabad,
a walled city that is the Karbala town or holy shrine of the Deccan Muslims.
It houses the tomb of Aurangzeb, the last great Mughal emperor. Before
his demise, the emperor himself had the crenellated wall built around
the town, which was at that time, an important centre.
Ghrishneshwar Temple:
Half a kilometre from Ellora (30 kms) lies this beautiful temple, one
of the twelve 'Jyotirlingas' of India, where Lord Shiva is worshipped.
The Ghrishneshwar temple, built by Rani Ahillyabai Holkar, a Maratha princess,
is the most superb example of medieval temple architecture.
Pithalkora:
Nestling within the Satmala range of the Sahyadris, 78 kms from Aurangabad
is a group of 13 cave sanctuaries, both chaityas and viharas, that date
back to the 2nd century BC. The intricate work on the sculptured facades
in these caves, is definitely worth a visit.
Paithan:
Situated 56 kms south of Aurangabad, is the ancient capital city of the
Satvahanas, Paithan, which is renowned for its Paithani silk saris with
exquisite zari borders. Today, it is also an important excavation site.
Centuries ago, the famous Marathi poet - saint, Eknath lived here. The
Jayakwadi dam here, is a haven for avid nature - lovers, especially those
interested in avianfauna. A variety of resident and migratory birds can
be sighted here. The best season for bird - watching is between October
and March.
Another attraction of this area is the huge Gyaneshwar
Udyan, Maharashtra's largest garden, built on the lines of the famous
Vrindavan Gardens in Mysore, Pinjore in Haryana and the Shalimar in Kashmir.
Bani Begum Gardens:
About 24 kms from Aurangabad are the elegant Bani Begum Gardens, at
the centre of which is the tomb of Bani Begum, the consort of one of Aurangzeb's
sons. These gardens built in various styles, equipped with massive domes,
fountains and fluted pillars, are a fine specimen of the architecture
of the time.
How To Get There
By air:
The Aurangabad airport is 10 kms from the city, and links the city directly
to Delhi, Jaipur, Udaipur and Mumbai.
By rail:
By rail Aurangabad is directly linked to Pune and Mumbai. Jalgaon, a railhead
on the Central Railway line, is only 59 kms from Ajanta (30 kms).
By road:
State Transport buses run from Mumbai, Pune, Ahmednagar, Jalgaon, Shirdi,
Nasik and Dhule to Aurangabad, and from Aurangabad to Jalgaon. Maharashtra
Tourist Development Corporation (M T D C) operates a bus service, and
conducts luxury - coach - tours from Mumbai to Aurangabad.
Hotels To Stay
The M T D C Holiday Resort near the Aurangabad railway
station, the Ajanta Travellers Lodge at the Ajanta Caves, and the M T
D C Holiday Resort at Fardapur (4 kms from Ajanta), M T D C resorts at
Ellora and Jayakwadi (Paithan), apart from regular hotels at Mumbai, Pune,
Nasik and other nearby areas, are available for accomodation.
Contact
Govt. of India Tourist Office,
Krishna Vilas, Station Road, Aurangabad - 431005,
Maharashtra
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