AURANGABAD:

Aurangabad was in important seat of the Mughal Empire during the Mughal rules in India. the town holds a number of Mughal architecture marvels making it an important historical destination in Maharastra. The town is situated on the banks of the river Kham. The medieval monuments and cultural heritage, the silk and cotton textiles and its proximity to the famous world heritage sites of Ajanta and Ellora attract a good number of visitors towards it every year. Though the city looks calm and quiet with not much humdrum on the streets, it is an industrialized, creative city making its own mark on the tourist and industrial map of India. Aurangabad is a conveinent base for seeing India's timeless art at the renowned Ajanta and Ellora. Tourists from all over the world flock here to see the wonderful art. These caves were carved between 2nd century B.C. and 8th century B.C., during this period while the rest of the world was in dark ages India was evolved in art and imagination.

Ellora Caves, Aurangabad


Bibi ka Maqbara, Aurangabad


Daulatabad Fort, Aurangabad


Grishneshwar Jyotirling Shiv
Temple, Aurangabad

Aurangabad Caves: Aurangabad was founded in 1653 by Aurangzeb who established his capital here once he became the viceroy of Deccan. Just outside the city, are located the 6th century caves displaying the influence of Tantric cult in the iconography and architectural designs of the caves. In all, there are nine caves which are mainly viharas. the most interesting those are cave 3 and 7. The former is supported on 12 highly arnate columns and has sculptures depicting scenes from the legendary 'Jataka' tales. Caves 7 with its detailed figures of bejeweled woman also has a dominating sculpture of a 'Bodhisattva'. praying for deliverance.

Bibi Ka Maqbara: Situated about 5 kms from the Aurangabad city is Bibi ka Maqbara, the burial place of Aurangabad's 1st wife, Rabi ud-Durani. It is an imitation of the Taj at Agra, and is the only example of mughal architecture of its kind in the Deccan plateau.

Pan Chakki: Panchakki (Water wheel) takes its name from the mill, which used to grind grain for the pilgrims. It was designed to generate energy via water, brought down from a spring on a mountain. Malik Ambar architect of Aurangabad city himself built it, in 1695. It also has the tomb of Baba Shah Muzaffar, a Sufi Saint.

Daulatabad Fort (13 kms): This fort was built by the Yadava dynasty in 1187 and was known as Deogiri. It was renamed Daulatabad 'City of Fortune', by Mohd.-bin-Tughlaq who shifted his capital temporarily here in 1326 A.D. Daulatabad was held as a fine fortress by successive dynasties in the Deccan. Dominated by a great conical hill, Daulatabad commanded a natural pass; artificial scarping made it impregnable. The Chand Minar, a 30 metres high minarat with three circular galleries, looked down over the approach from the noth and east and laid a defensive as well as religious role in this fortress.

Khuladabad (26 kms): Khuladabad, or the Abode of Eternity, is a walled town just 3-kms from Ellora. It is a holy shrine for the Muslims and contains the tomb of the last Mughal emperor, Aurangzeb.

Grishneshwar Temple (30 kms): Grishneshwar temple is an important Shiva temple located just a half a kilometer from the Ellora Caves. There are twelve shrines in India, which holds the magnificient 'Jyotirlingas'. Ghirishneshwar Temple is one among the twelve Jyotirlingas in the country. Worshippers of Shiva flock this temple every year to pay homage to the deity