AURANGABAD
Do you want to experience the rich cultural heritage of ancient India? Then plan a trip to the popular tourist spot of Aurangabad to explore the majestic Ajanta and Ellora Caves.
People from across the globe visit this destination to explore its captivating carvings and structures. Ancient architecture and beautiful carvings of this tourist spot attract travelers from across the world.
The Ajanta and Ellora caves are one of the main attractions to explore in the state of Maharashtra. Listed by UNESCO among the World Heritage Sites, it shall be a wonderful experience to explore the intricately carved caves of these tourist spots.
Situated in the middle of the mesmerizing Sahyadri Hills, the cave temples of the Ajanta are known for its eye-catching paintings. Choose one of the best travel packages of Colourful Indian Holidays to visit the awe-inspiring Ajanta and Ellora Caves and explore the rich legacy of India.
There is no other better place to see the architectural intellect of the bygone Indians than the captivating Ajanta and Ellora Caves. The Ajanta and Ellora Caves in Maharashtra are not only outstanding tourist destinations or exploration sites, but also excellent pilgrimage sites. Make a trip to these destinations to enjoy the captivating artistry existed in the bygone era.
These exploration spots are among the UNESCO World Heritage Sites, and travelers to India add them into their bucket-list. Even if these two caves are mentioned as a single tourist attraction, they consist of two different cave group sets located at different parts of the state.
The amazing Ajanta group of caves is a stunning tourist attraction in Aurangabad located along the Waghora River in the core of the majestic Sahyadri Hills. Buddhists monasteries are the prime attractions of this group of caves.
There are 29 caves in Ajanta which were built by the Buddhist monks using tools like hammer and chisel. They built it as their private abode to teach and perform rituals. Buddhist monks made the walls of these caves attractive with imposing figures.
There are 34 caves in the Ellora Caves which is located almost 29 kilometers away from Aurangabad. Carved into the sides of a basaltic hill, beautifully adorned interiors and intricate facades make these caves more appealing. The Ellora Caves are a must-visit spot for those who admire the cave-temple architecture in India.
These caves are believed to be carved during the period between 350 AD and 700 AD. Although all the cave temples of the Ellora are captivating, the most spectacular among them is the Kailasa Temple. The largest monolithic structure in the world is the highlight of this temple.
Like the well known Taj Mahal, the historic monument in Aurangabad, Bibi Ka Maqbara is also a symbol of love. But it is not as famous or large as the Taj Mahal. Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb constructed this historic monument for his wife, Dilras Banu Begum.
Adorned with exquisite marbles and decorated with intricate carvings and designs, this mausoleum on an elevated platform also has good resemblance with the charming Taj Mahal in Agra.
Four minarets are there on its four corners to guard it. Include this ancient monument also in your travel itinerary while you plan a trip to the renowned Ajanta and Ellora Caves in Aurangabad.
A trip to the sacred Grishneshwar Temple makes your trip to Aurangabad more blessed. This ancient temple is an important pilgrimage center for the Hindu community. Located in a serene village, near the Ellora Caves almost 30 kilometers away from the Aurangabad City, the main attraction of this temple is its pre-historical architectural style.
Visitors shall be delighted to watch the different Hindu Gods carved on the red brick walls of this shrine. This temple is believed to be the last ”Jyotirlinga’ on earth. Pay a visit to this temple during your holidays in Aurangabad to purify your mind and soul.
People who visit Aurangabad ensure to visit the famous Daulatabad Fort to see its stunning structure. Compared to the other forts in and around this region, it has a strong structure.
Since it has a narrow bridge to reach inside this fort, it was difficult for intruders to conquer the fort. Daulatabad Fort in Aurangabad stayed glorious forever since its construction without conquered by anyone.
This fort has three defensive walls, and a subterranean passage made out of solid rocks makes it strong. Three important structures, ChiniMahal, Chand Minar, and Baradari are great features of this fort make it more captivating.
Being one of the five takhts, the Hazur Sahib Nanded in Aurangabad is a great pilgrimage center for the Sikh community. This renowned Gurdwara was built to commemorate the death of their Guru, Guru Gobind Sahib.
A lot of people visit this holy place to offer prayers to the gurdwara and to explore the rich history of the Sikhs. Travelers will be delighted to hear the glorious tales of this great Sikh Guru. Visiting the Hazur Sahib Nanded shall be a beautiful experience for each traveler to Aurangabad.
Another not to miss tourist spot in Aurangabad is the Lonar Crater Lake. Travelers can reach this place within 3-hour’s drive from the Aurangabad City. People include this lake in their travel itinerary because of its fascinating surroundings.
Surrounded by rich greeneries and a few low-lying hills, each visitor to this region gets mesmerized by the captivating charm of this oval-shaped lake. Another interesting factor about this lake is that it was created because of the impact of a meteor. People who visit this lake also prefer to witness the temples around it.
Maharashtra is home to several beautiful rivers and some of them have captivating dams constructed mainly for agricultural and irrigation purposes. Jayakwadi Dam is one such tourist attraction in Aurangabad on the Godavari River in a small hamlet named Jayakwadi.
It is among the largest earthen dams in the Asian continent which also largely contributes to meet the drinking water requirements of the surrounding areas like Aurangabad, Jalna and many other places. Jayakwadi Dam located in the Paithantaluka region with a bird sanctuary and a garden.
People who visit the dam ensure to visit this bird sanctuary where they can watch more than 200 species of rare local and migratory birds. The abundance of food, favorable conditions and shallow water make it a haven for many exotic bird species. You can watch some of the avian species like the brahminy duck, flamingos, cranes and wigeons in this picnic spot.
Sprawling across an area of around 300 acres, visiting the enchanting Himayat Bagh shall be a refreshing experience for each visitor. Earlier known as the ‘Mughal Garden’, this beautiful tourist spot reminds a glorious past.
Lush and verdant, this marvelous garden houses the Fruit Research Station and Nursery. This 17th -century garden was established during the reign of Aurangzeb, a famous Mughal Emperor.
With many exotic plant species, rich greenery and a pleasant ambiance, visiting this garden make the body and mind of each visitor refreshed. Each of you will be delighted to take a walk through its well-manicured lawns and to get glimpses of the glorious bygone Mughal Era.
The most attractive feature of Aurangabad is its rich and diverse history. Exploring the ancient monuments of this destination will provide an idea about the rich past of this destination. This city is not only famous for monuments and majestic cave attractions but also for pious saints.
Syed Zain-ud-Din is one among them who dedicated his life for preaching and improve the life of people. Born in a small village, Shiraz in Hijri, he went to Delhi to become the disciple of a great saint named, MaulanaKamaluddin.
But after a few years, he came back to Daualtabad along with his teacher. A cenotaph was built in Khuladabad to commemorate the great contribution by this saint to the society. People who visit the Aurangabad city ensure to visit this maqbara to offer prayers to this great saint and to enjoy its beauty.
This temple is a significant pilgrimage destination for the Hindus where thousands of devotees visit every year. Parli is an ancient village located in Aurangabad on the panoramic slopes of the renowned Naganarayana and Meru mountains.
It is the place where the Vaidhyanath Jyotirlinga Temple is located which houses the fifth ‘jyotirlinga’. An attractive feature of this temple is that it is situated near three beautiful rivers, Brahma, Saraswati and Venu.
Since the abundant thickets and the nearby mountains around this temple have medicinal qualities, this temple is known by the name ‘Vaidyanath Jyotirlinga Temple’.
If you are a shopping lover, ensure to visit the horizontally Prozone Mall in Aurangabad. It is one of the largest malls in Aurangabad where travelers can shop many national and international brands.
This shopping hall has more than 150 retail stores to enjoy excellent shopping opportunities. Besides, it has a large family entertainment center and a 5-screen cinema complex. The shopping mall also offers ample space for parking for the convenience of the visitors.