maharashtra Aurangabad

The history of Aurangabad can be traced back to 1610, when the former Abyssinian slave and then prime minister of the Muslim kingdom of Ahmednagar, Malik Ambar establishment a city on the site of an old village called Khirki. His son Fateh Khan named the city he ruled over, Fatehpur in 1626.

But the region’s history goes even farther back. Buddhism was introduced to this region during the reign of the powerful Mauryan Emperors and its rapid acceptance is evident in the profusion of Buddhist cave temples found in and around modern Aurangabad. The Hindu temples of Ellora built by the kings of the Satvahana and Rashtrakuta dynasties predate the influx of Buddhism. Strategically located in the centre of India, the region was considered the safest from the marauding armies of the Afghan and Central Asian raiders. The Tughlaq King Mohammed bin Tughlaq of the Delhi Sultanate moved his capital from Delhi, along with the citizens to this area in the 14th century but failed due to poor logistical planning.

Some important questions arise when we choose a destination.

Most important places to Visit in Aurangabad./ Sightseeing places in Aurangabad.

Which all places I can visit along with Aurangabad?

Tour Itineries along with Aurangabad

Best time to visit Aurangabad.

How to reach Aurangabad?

Most important places to Visit in Aurangabad./ Sightseeing places in Aurangabad.

Bibi ka Maqbara

There are many sightseeing places in Aurangabad. The most famous monument in Aurangabad is the Bibi ka Maqbara, the mausoleum of Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb’s queen. Inspired the Taj Mahal, it was built as the final resting place of Begum Rabi’a Daurani. Close to the begum’s tomb is the unmarked grave of her devoted nurse. A poor replica of the Taj, it was designed and built by Ata Ullah whose name is engraved on its door. But some questions remain unanswered - was it built for the Emperor’s first wife or his second?

Buddhist caves

A couple of km north of the Bibi ka Maqbara is a cluster of nine rock cut Buddhist caves which date back to the 4th - 8th century when the Vakatakas and Chalukyas ruled over the region. They are categorized into eastern and western caves but all belong to the Mahayana Vihara type except the 4th one, which is a chaitya or prayer hall of the Hinayana sect of Buddhism. The 6th is the most intriguing as it has a Ganesha (a Hindu god). They have their own story to tell and are certainly worth a visit.

Panchakki

The Panchakki is an interesting water-powered flour mill built in the 17th century, an engineering masterpiece of its day. The water is pumped from a reservoir 6 km away into a tank, that today houses entire shoals of khol fish. It lies in the same complex as a memorial to the Sufi saint Baba Shah Muzaffar, Aurangzeb’s spiritual guide.

Important tourist spots

There are a number of important tourist spots just beyond the city limits of Aurangabad - the Buddhist Caves at Ajanta, the rock temples of Ellora, the caves at Pithalkhora, the fortress of Daulatabad, Paithan, famed for its woven masterpieces, the pilgrim centre of Grishneshwar and Khuldabad, the final resting place of the Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb.

Ajanta and Ellora

Without a doubt, the rock-cut monuments at Ajanta and Ellora are the prime attraction for people visiting Aurangabad. Both these architectural marvels figure on the World Heritage list. Ajanta lies 99 km northeast, about two hours away by road, while Ellora is much closer, just 30 km to the northwest. Both places have dining and boarding facilities for overnight stops.

Which all places I can visit along with Aurangabad?

Mumbai - Lonavala - Mumbai

Mumbai - Khandala - Lonavala- Mahabaleshwar - Alibagh - Mumbai

Mumbai - Matheran - Lonavala - Khandala - Alibagh - Mumbai

Mumbai - Khandala - Lonavala - Panchgani - Mahabaleshwar - Alibagh - Mumbai

Mumbai - Alibaug - Ganpatipule - Lonavala - Mumbai

Mumbai - Lonavala - Khandala - Matheran - Nasik - Shirdi - Aurangabad – Mumbai

Best time to visit Aurangabad.

The best time to visit Aurangabad is between October and March when the weather is pleasant enough to enjoy sightseeing and explore the outdoors.

During the summer season, from March to May, the climate is hot, ranging between 21°C to 37°C. However, at times, the mercury can rise up to 43°C. It is better not to visit this place during the summer season

How to reach Aurangabad?

How to Reach Aurangabad by Air

Aurangabad airport is 10 km east of the city and is connected by daily flights to Mumbai and Delhi. Taxis and auto rickshaws are available outside the airport or you could have a rented car meet you on arrival.

How to Reach Aurangabad by Rail

Aurangabad is not located on the main route but some trains do stop here. However, Manmad, 113km northwest of Aurangabad is the closest junction for major trains from across the country. There are two direct trains to/from Mumbai as well as a daily train to Hyderabad in neighbouring Andhra Pradesh. Other direct connections are to Delhi (1395 km) and one, every five days to Amritsar via Delhi. Local trains, taxis and buses connect the two places.

How to Reach Aurangabad by Bus

You can easily drive in as Aurangabad is well connected by road to the towns and cities around it. State Roadways buses and private bus companies connect Aurangabad from Pune (5 hours), Nashik (5 hours) Indore. Overnight luxury buses connect Aurangabad from Mumbai (12 hours) via Pune or Manmad.