Attraction & Things To Do During AURANGABAD TRIP
AURANGABAD ABOUT AURANGABAD The historic city of Aurangabad, on the Deccan Plateau, has many tourist attractions and could easily stand on its own charm, were it not overshadowed by the UNESCO World Heritage Sites of the Ajanta and Ellora caves nearby. Founded in 1610, on the site of a village called Khirki by Malik Ambar, Prime Minister of Murtuza Nizam Shah II, this city was renamed Fatehpur after the Nizam's son Fateh Khan succeeded to the throne in 1626. When Prince Aurangzeb became the Viceroy of Deccan in 1653, he made the city his capital and re christened it Aurangabad The rise of the Marathas as a powerful kingdom in the region prompted the governor of the city to take measures for its protection. A wall was erected around the city of Aurangabad … The culture of Aurangabad city is heavily influenced by Hyderabad. Aurangabad District has always been a prominent region on the Deccan Plateau and has a long artistic and cultural history, to which several dynasties have made major contributions over the years. The cuisine of Aurangabad has been highly influenced by the North Indian method of cooking, a result of the long Mughal rule in the region The people of Aurangabad are very friendly and amicable. Today, contemporary Aurangabad boasts of a culture that is a blend of both the modern and the ancient worlds. Bibi Ka Magbara This magnificent mausoleum, situated approximately 5 kms from Aurangabad, was built in 1679 by Aurangzeb's son, Azam Shah. It was a loving tribute to his mother, Rabia-ul-Daurani, also known as Dilras Banu Begum. The chief architect was a Persian called Ustad Ata Ullah who. along with his chief engineer, Hanspat Rai, based the design of this monument on the Taj Mahal. The inscription on the walls of the tomb reveals that it cost precisely 665,283 and 7 annas to build this monument. The mausoleum stands within an enclosed area measuring approximately 458 x 257 metres. The main entrance is on the southern side of the outer wall, and at the centre of the three remaining walls are open pavilions, which were used as a mosque, Diwan-e-Aam, and Diwan-e-Khaas. These buildings contain beautiful paintings from the Mughal and Nizam periods. The mausoleum is built at the centre of a high platform, with four minarets at its corners. The lower body and the dome of the building are made of pure marble and decorated with beautiful carvings. The middle portion is of basaltic trap. covered with fine plaster, rendered with a marble finish and adorned with stucco work. This monument is also called the Dakkhani Taj or the Taj of the Deccan. Bibi Ka Magbara The mausoleum stands within an enclosed area measuring approximately 458 x 257 metres. The main entrance is on the southern side of the outer wall, and at the centre of the three remaining walls are open pavilions, which were used as a mosque, Diwan-e-Aam, and Diwan-e-Khaas. These buildings contain beautiful paintings from the Mughal and Nizam periods. The mausoleum is built at the centre of a high platform, with four minarets at its corners. The lower body and the dome of the building are made of pure marble and decorated with beautiful carvings. The middle portion is of basaltic trap. covered with fine plaster, rendered with a marble finish and adorned with stucco work. Jumma Masjid Among the seven mosques built by Malik Ambar in Aurangabad, the Jumma Masjid is one of the most famous. The Jumma Masjid has fifty polygonal pillars arranged in five rows, and connected by a system of arches, which divide the building into twenty-seven equal compartments, each covered by a domical vault of simple but elegant design. There are nine pointed arches in front, of which five were erected by Malik Ambar in 1612 AD, and the remaining were added by Aurangzeb. Shahganj Masjid Occupying the great market square of Aurangabad is the large Shahganj mosque, one of the finest edifices of its kind to be found in any part of India. It was built around 1720 AD. The mosque is on a raised platform, and has shops on three of Its outer sides, while the fourth or the north side is open. The facade represents an arcade of five scalloped arches, constructed in the Indo-Saracenic style and supported on stone pillars. The central portion is covered with a graceful bulbous dome, the base is adorned with crisp crinkled lotus leaves tied in a neat narrow band, and the apex bears an elegant spire. Pariyon ka Talab The name, which means 'the Lake of the Fairies', comes from an ancient legend. It was believed that women taking a dip in the lake were cleansed of any unholy spirit's clutches. The lake-noted for its scenic beauty - has steps all along its western shore and a stage-like platform, which bears a striking resemblance to the ancient Roman Amphitheatre. On some occasions, women still come for a holy bath in the lake. It is situated near the tomb of Sufi Saint Sheikh Jalaluddin Ganjerawan and is visited by Hindus and Muslims alike for its healing powers. Temples Ghrishneshwar Temple This revered temple, which stands half a kilometre from the caves of Ellora, serves as the abode of one of the 12 Jyotirlingas in India dedicated to Lord Shiva. Daulatabad town is also situated nearby, The temple, with exquisitely sculpted walls, was built under the patronage of Queen Ahilyabal Holkar, one of the rulers of the erstwhile state of Indore. Kachner Kachner is a little town that became famous after the miraculous arrival of the divine figurine of Chintamani Parshvanath nearly 250 years ago. The idol was believed to be the one that satisfies a person's sincere desires and frees him of his troubles. Kachner is today one of the important Jain religious places in India and is visited by pilgrims in great numbers. A beautiful temple dedicated to Jain Tirthankar Chintamani Parshvanath stands 37 kms from Aurangabad. Anwa Lemple A Shiva temple and an archaeological wonder, with beautifully carved sculptures and decorated pillars, the Anwa Temple stands in the village of Anwa, 10 kms east of Golegaon, on the main road leading from Aurangabad to the Ajanta caves. Khadkeshwar Shiva Mandir huge temple of Lord Shiva located in Khadkeshwar is an ancient Chalukyan-style temple. It takes its name from the earlier name of Aurangabad, which was Khadki. The Khadkeshwar Temple is situated between the Veterinary Hospital and the Municipal Library today. The main temple is surrounded by an old geru coloured wall, and it also has an underground temple. The Temple is heavily crowded on Mondays, especially during the month of Shravan. The white coloured Khadkeshwar Temple affords the visitor instant peace of mind and inner happiness. Bhadra Maruti This temple of Veer Hanuman is located at Khuldabad, 26 kms from Aurangabad. The idol of the God is an old one and the temple is famous for its architecture and glasswork. It is regarded as a very holy place and attracts pilgrims from all over. Murudeshwar Temple This temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva, is reckoned to be 450 years old, and stands 90 kms away from Aurangabad. It is an excellent example of the architecture of both, the Hemadpanthi and the Rashtrakuta styles. WORLD HERITAGE Ajanta View Point Before you proceed towards Ajanta Caves, you should make it a point to visit the Ajanta View Point (a detour of 16 kms), which offers a panoramic view and a prelude to the caves. Ajanta Caves The Ajanta Caves are a series of 29 Buddhist rock-cut cave temples, some of which date back to the 2nd century BC. Encompassing both Theravada and Mahayana Buddhist traditions, the Ajanta Caves preserve some of the best masterpieces of Buddhist art in India. The caves were built in two phases starting around 200 BC, with the second group of caves built around 600 AD. They were used by Buddhist monks as prayer halls (Chaitya Grihas) and monasteries (Viharas) for about nine centuries, and then abruptly abandoned. They fell into oblivion until they were rediscovered in 1819. On 28th April 1819, a British officer for the Madras Presidency, John Smith, while hunting tigers, accidentally discovered the entrance to one of the cave temples (Cave No. 10) deep within the tangled undergrowth. Shortly after this rediscovery, the Ajanta Caves became renowned for their exotic paintings, impressive architecture and long-forgotten history. The caves feature several exquisite works of art which represent the life of a long forgotten era. In their range of time and treatments, the caves reflect a panorama of life in ancient India and are a source of all kinds of information: hairstyles, ornaments, textiles, musical instruments, details of architecture, customs, etc., mostly inspired from the Jataka Tales. It was from this collection of classical Indian art that a particular style was formed, which traveled with Buddhism to many parts of the world. In 1983, the Ajanta Caves were declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Ellora Caves The Ellora Caves are an impressive complex of Buddhist, Hindu and Jain cave temples built between the 6th and 10th century AD near the ancient Indian village of Ellora. The caves have a slightly less dramatic setting than those at Ajanta, but they have more exquisite sculptures. Ellora is a World Heritage Site and the most visited ancient monument in Maharashtra. Kailas Temple, also known as the Kailasa or the Kailasanatha, Is the unrivalled centrepiece of Ellora. This looks like a freestanding, multi-storeyed temple complex, but it was carved out of one single rock. The carving work began around 550 AD, about the same time the Ajanta Caves (100 kms north-east) were abandoned. The artisans began sculpting this enchanting marvel from the top - a true showcase of immaculate planning and craftsmanship that was handed down for over 3 generations. The craftsmanship is a showcase of some interesting creative leverage, wherein skilled artisans have created artistic masterpieces based on Indian mythology, in an intriguing way. The sculptures, complemented with devout messaging, offer simple yet fulfilling understanding of the artistic depiction, which can be easily understood by the common man. The most notable are the depictions of the 'Saptamatruka' (the 7 moods of the mother and a woman) and the small pictorial runes portraying the epical stories of the Ramayana and the Mahabharata. The 12 Buddhist (1-12), 17 Hindu (13-29) and 5 Jain (30-34) caves, built in proximity, demonstrate the religious harmony prevalent during this period of Indian history. NATURE & WILDLIFE Gautala Wildlife Sanctuary. The wildlife sanctuary of Gautala is situated in the Kannad Taluka. Occupying a large area of over 200 sq. km., it is a popular destination among wildlife lovers from Aurangabad and the towns around. Particularly famous for leopards, Gautala is home to several species of birds and animals. A trek during the day through the small rivulets branching Liu ough the forest and along a small river is the popular way of enjoying this naturally beautiful, as well as thrilling place. Apart from leopards, this forest has sloth beating deer, wolves, blue bucks and more than 225 of resident as well as migratory birds, such ibis, storks, quails, jungle fowl and partr The Forest Department has built watch towers at dent points, which can be used as you wait and watche for the animals to come to the water. Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary Salim Ali Sarovar (lake), popularly known as Salim Ali Talab, is located near Delhi Gate, opposite Himayat Bagh in the northern part of the city. During the Mughal period, it was known as Khiziri Talab, but was later renamed after the great ornithologist and naturalist Salim Ali. It also has a Bird Sanctuary and a garden maintained by the Aurangabad Municipal Corporation. Ajanta Forest Area The 'No Pollution' zone created by the Government in the year 2002 has left some footprints in the fragile forest area that has come up as a reserve forest. The result is a pristine, verdant and picturesque Ajanta forest, a view of which can be best admired on the 4 kms journey from the Ajanta T-point to the caves. Bani Begum Baug Bani Begum Baug is a tranquil garden located about 24 kms from Aurangabad. The garden is known for its lush green appearance and comforting atmosphere. It got its name from the tomb of Bani Begum, the wife of Aurangzeb's son, which is located in the middle of the garden. The garden has been constructed in various styles. Massive domes, fountains and fluted pillars can be seen here. The Siddharth Garden & Zoo The Siddharth Garden is situated in the heart of the city, near the Station Road. The garden is spread over a large area and abounds with greenery. The Siddharth Garden, one of the most popular outdoor recreational centres in Aurangabad, has a small aquarium in the garden. Large areas of grass flanked by shrubs and trees are great spots for picnics, and enjoying a variety of games with family and friends. AROUND AURANGABAD Khuldabad Khuldabad, also Kuldabad or Khultabad, is a city and a Taluka of Aurangabad District. Initially, it was known as Rauza, meaning 'Garden of Paradise'. It is also known as the Valley of Saints, or the Abode of Eternity, because in the 14th century, several Sufi saints chose to reside here. The dargah of Zar Zari Zar Baksh, Shaikh Burhan ud-din Gharib Chisti and Shaikh Zain-ud-din Shirazi, along with the tomb of the Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb and his trusted general Qamar-ud-din Khan, Asaf Jah I, the first Nizam of Hyderabad, are located in this town. As per Aurangzeb's instructions, the tomb was built only with the few rupees he had earned by stitching cloth caps. On his tombstone is inscribed in elegant Persian calligraphy: "No marble sheets should shield me from the sky as I lie there one with the earth." Pratisthan (Paithan) Paithan is located 56 kms south of present-day Aurangabad on the Godavari River. Paithan was the home of the great Maharashtrian Saint Eknath, whose 'Samadhi' (shrine) can be found there. Every year, people flock to this little town during the time of 'Paithan Yatra', also known as Nath Shashti. The town is famous today mainly for its sarees - the beautiful Paithani silk sarees that sport intricately embroidered gold or silver borders. Known the world over as a poem hand-woven in silk and gold, Paithani sarees are for those with discerning and refined tastes. DAULATABAD FORT Daulatabad Daulatabad is known for its majestic fortress, built in the 12th century on top of a hill Standing dramatically over 600 ft. high above the Deccan plain, it is one of the world's best preserved forts from medieval times and also one of the few impregnable forts in Maharashtra. Formerly, the fort served as headquarters of the Yadava rulers and the area was known as Devgiri or the "Hill of Gods. Later, it was renamed Daulatabad-The City of Fortune by Mohammed bin Tughlaq, the Sultan of Delhi Surrounded by triple rows of colossal walls, spiked gates, steep slide-ways and a deep trench. Daulatabad Fort is an excellent example of the extraordinary military and defence system that flourished ages ago. The 40-ft deep trench around the fort and 5-km long walls made it impossible for enemies to intrude. Daulatabad Fort is renowned for its outstanding architecture, and the most noteworthy monuments inside include the Bharatmata Mandir, Chand Minar, Elephant Tank and "Chini Mahal or Chinese Palace. The Royal Palaces impress guests with their spacious halls, pavilions and courtyards. One's visit is not complete without seeing the amazing ram-headed Kila Shikan (Fort Breaker') cannon, which has its name inscribed on it in Persian. :Chand Minar Chand Minar, which stands in Daulatabad Fort, was built in 1435 by Ala-ud-Din Bahmani to commemorate his capture of the fort. Constructed in the Turkish style, this minaret is an outstanding example of Islamic art. The 210-ft. (64 metres) high tower has four storeys with balconies at each level, and three circular galleries. It was originally covered with beautiful glazed blue Persian tiles, and its carved motifs can still be seen. Chand Minar also has 24 chambers and a small mosque at its base. Apart from being a victory tower, it also served two major functions. It was used as a watch tower to look out for approaching enemies, as well as a place from which the faithful were called for 'namaaz' (prayer). Dnyneshwar Udyan Dnyaneshwar Udyan is the largest garden in Maharashtra, resembling the Vrindavan Gardens of Mysore, and is situated on the banks of Nathsagar Lake, formed by the Jayakwadi Dam. Out of the 125 hectares it spans, orchids cover 26 hectares, 28 hectares are laid out as parks and 15 hectares have been beautified with floriculture. Jayakwadi Dam The Jayakwadi project is one of the largest irrigation projects in Maharashtra, Its water is used mainly to irripate agricultural land in the drought-prone Marathwada region of Maharashtra. The surrounding area of the dam has a beautiful garden and a Bird Sanctuary. Mhaismal Mhaismal is a small hill station in Aurangabad District. located at an altitude of 1067 m, about 12 kms from Khuldabad and 40 kms from Aurangabad. An exact copy of the Balaji Temple at Tirupati is located at the top of this hill station. It attracts visitors during the monsoons when it is covered in greenery, and one gets to see a fantastic view of the surrounding valleys. Himroo Factory Himroo is a fabric made of silk and cotton grown locally in Aurangabad. The Himroo Factory of Aurangabad near Zaffar Gate is a major tourist attraction, famed for its quality products. Paithani sarees and conventional handloom shawls are also on display. The designs and patterns on these fabrics are inspired from the paintings at Ajanta.. Gulmandi Gulmandi is one of the largest bazaars in Aurangabad. A variety of goods are sold and exchanged here, and the products keep changing every day. The specialities are Paithani sarees, as well as a selection of garments and Himroo silk. Sutonda Fort Probably built by the Marathas before the Muslim rulers took over the Deccan region, this fort is perched on the summit of a small hill, 42 kms north-east of Kannad. The waters of its mineral springs remain cool throughout the year. Lonar Lake The the which evolved due to a meteor strike, it both saline and alkaline in nature and is the world's third largest meteoritic ctcrates. Today, a forest nearly 137 metres deep in the rim of the crater surrounds the lake. Rare here can be found here. the Sanman that has great medicinal values and mythological significance. There are several hutorical temples around He belingting to the Hemadpanthi style of architecture, in which the building is constructed by placing rocks on top of each other The historic Dhara Mandir, situated on the rim of the crater, is visited by several devotees every year. Prozone Mall Prozone Mall is one of the largest and the first horizontally designed shopping mall in India, Spread over an area of 1 million sq. ft., it has ushered in the concept of modern retailing in Aurangabad. Here, you'll find more than 150 retail stores selling top local and international brands, a five-screen cineplex, a 40,000 sq. ft. family entertainment centre, prominent food chains and 3000 parking bays. Plans are on the anvil to construct an office building and a business class hotel in the same complex. AGRICULTURE & INDUSTRIALISATION. Aurangabad is an agrarian district and the prominent crops here are spiked millet and sugarcane. Guavas and custard-apples grown at Daulatabad are famous all over Maharashtra. A Fruit Research Centre and a Sugarcane Research Centre have also been established at Aurangabad and Vaijapur respectively.There is ample evidence to show that Aurangabad was developed as a trading hub four centuries ago. It lies on a major trade route that used to connect north-west India's sea and land ports to the Deccan region.The city has developed industrially since the 1970s and is today, the most important manufacturing centre in Marathwada. Today, Aurangabad produces motor vehicles and vehicle parts, pharmaceuticals, leathe, rubber & plastic products, beverages and fibre-optic cables. The Shendra, Chikalthana and Waluj MIDC areas are prominent industrial zones on the outskirts of the city. Recently, Aurangabad became the third city in Maharashtra (after Pune and Nashik) to host an auto cluster. namely Marathwada Auto Cluster (MAC). Aurangabad is also a major silk and cotton textile production centre. A fine blend of silk with locally grown cotton called Himroo was developed here, and Himroo fabrics and shawls are famous all over the world. The exquisite Paithani silk sarees are created in small industries nearby and are available in the city market. KALAGRAM Spread over a seven-acre plot with sprawling landscapes and extensive beautification work, Kalagram in Aurangabad brings together the arts, crafts, food and cultural activities of Maharashtra. Apart from catering to the contemporary expectations of tourists, Kalagram also provides the ambience of a traditional rural hall and village. This unique project is a joint venture between Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation (MTDC) and Aurangabad Municipal Corporation. The food and crafts bazaar provides visitors a treasure house of Indian and Maharashtrian culture, handicrafts and ethnic cuisine. Tourists can buy inimitable ethnic wear, savour the different local and Maharashtrian delicacies, and relax with their families. Kalagram has around 106 crafts stalls selling native, utilitarian and ethnic products from all over Maharashtra. Kalagram has parking space for around 7 buses, 100 cars and 200 two-wheelers. An open-air amphitheatre with a seating capacity of 1500 has been constructed for live performances and cultural programmes. Kids can enjoy themselves in the children's playing area. A food plaza serves local cuisine in the traditional way through 17 food stalls. Kalagram also features a night bazaar for shopping utilities and an exhibition hall. Kalagram provides an opportunity for craftsmen to demonstrate their artistic skills to the thousands of tourists visiting Aurangabad. This cultural complex also serves as a popular marketplace for the beautiful Himroo and Paithani creations as well as other local crafts. Apart from being a place to showcase local Maharashtrian handicrafts. Kalagram also generates employment for over 1000 people. Kalagram has been designed to keep the culture and traditions of Maharashtra alive. It also provides an ideal pla to keep the exquisite folk performances from Maharashtra like Dombare and Vasudev, among many others, flouris AJANTA & ELLORA VISITOR CENTRES 5 kms away from the caves, is where visitors can get a prelude of the magnificent experience in store for them. These Visitor Centres have been planned to ensure that tourists enjoy a grand spectacle that sets the tone for their visit to the UNESCO World Heritage Sites. On display will be a replication of the ancient culture of the region, depicted through paintings, jewellery, costumes, culinary rituals and fashion. This architectural, design and multimedia project aims to offer visitors an authentic, informative and exciting experience, and pay tribute to the ancient masters at the same time. Replicas of four of the caves will be showcased along with stories drawn from the caves' history, narrated using multimedia techniques. While the Ajanta Visitor Centre concentrates on the paintings, the Ellora version focuses on the actual cave structure. Both complexes will feature a series of short films playing at all times, offering visitors a glimpse of the rich history of the caves. The spotlight will be shared by four specialities for which Aurangabad is famous Paithani sarees, Himroo shawls, Bidri metal work and stoneware. Local artisans will craft these products at the site itself, and one can take them home as souvenirs of a memorable time.