Aurangabad - The Tourism Capital Of Maharashtra!!

"Before the development of tourism, travel was conceived to be like study, and its fruits were considered to be the adornment of the mind and the formation of judgment".

Aurangabad is an important city in the state of Maharashtra because it is also known as The Tourism Capital of Maharashtra. Many international tourists visit Aurangabad to see the world heritage sites, The Ajanta & Ellora caves. Aurangabad, a dream destination of Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb, founded in 1610, is known today, as one of the four important cities in Maharashtra. The city is heading towards rapid industrial growth but retains its past glory and charms, heritage, and traditions. Conspicuously seen on the Deccan plateau, it has a rich culture and a plethora of magnificent arts on display. All festival of Maharashtra is celebrated over here.

It is the only tourist district of India having two-world heritage monuments to its credit. Moreover, it is hoped that there will be good addition of two more in near future. Barring these heritage monuments of Ajanta, Ellora, Daulatabad, and Bibi-Ka-Maqbara the district is rich in monuments, historical and religious, of National importance. Hence, it deserves the epithet as the Tourist District of India. Realizing its International Status the erstwhile central Minister for Tourism and Culture rightly praised the tremendous tourism potentiality of this district in one of the International Press- Met.

Aurangabad is also called the City of the Gates because it contains the most number of gates. The Gates of Aurangabad distinguish it from several other medieval cities in India. Each of the 52 gates has a local history or had individuals linked with it. Out of the 52, only four main and nine subordinate gates have survived, the most famous, oldest, and biggest of them being the Bhadkal Gate near the Naukhanda Palace of Nizams'. The nearby Shivaji Maharaj Museum, dedicated to the Maratha king Shivaji, displays war weapons and a coin collection. North of the city, the Aurangabad Caves comprise ancient, rock-cut Buddhist shrines. West of the city, battlements surround the medieval Daulatabad Fort

✮Places of Tourist Interest:

💠Aurangabad Caves:

The Aurangabad caves are an important tourist spot in Aurangabad. Built during the 6th and 7th century AD, these caves, have been divided into two groups namely the Eastern Group (Caves 1 to 5) and the Western Group (Caves 6 to 10). Both these groups have a distance of about half a kilometer between them. These Caves have interesting illustrations from the Jataka stories that belong to the Buddhist religion. They lie just beyond the city, nearly forgotten - the Aurangabad caves. Tantra influences echo in the highly ornate and strikingly detailed sculptures and architecture.

💠Ajanta:

Famous for its caves, Ajanta is one of the few historical and architectural marvels of India. Recognized as the World Heritage site today, it was discovered during the 19th century by a group of British officers who were on a tiger hunt. The Ajanta group of caves, located deep within the "Sahyadri hills" above the Waghora River, depicts the story of Buddhism that prevailed here from 200 BC to 650 AD. Ajanta caves stand firmly in the country’s list of top attractions. Its dry fresco paintings, the largest collection of surviving examples of ancient Buddhist paintings in India, have lured many a traveler from across the world.

💠Bibi ka Maqbara:

The Taj Mahal at Agra needs no introduction. But did you know there is another Taj Mahal built by a Mughal emperor for his beloved wife in India? Referred to as the Taj of the Deccan, Bibi ka Maqbara was meant to rival Shah Jahan’s Taj Mahal when commissioned in 1660, 12 years later. Synonymous with Aurangabad, the monument is the only large-scale structure commissioned by the 6th Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb, Shah Jahan’s son.

This Maqbara attracts tourists due to its wonderful architecture and historical importance. It is a mausoleum built in 1679, by Aurangzeb's son as a tribute to his mother, "Begum Rabia- ud- Durani". Built at the center of the garden, the marble used here is not as fine as that of the Taj Mahal. Besides Bibi-ka-Maqbara, there are some other monuments of related historical importance. The entry into the Maqbara may cost you an entry ticket of a negligible amount.

💠Daulatabad Fort:

Daulatabad fort is located just 13 kilometers from Aurangabad en-route Ellora. Easily accessible from the major towns nearby, the fort was built during the 12th century. Due to its uncommon location on a pyramid-shaped hill, this impressive fortress attracts the attention of all. According to the locals here, the Daulatabad fortress was earlier known as 'Devgiri. It was built by king 'Bhillama' of the Yadav dynasty. Later the name of the entire place was changed to Daulatabad by 'Mohammed Bin Tughlaq', Sultan of Delhi. Apart from this, a 5 km massive wall surrounds the fort; spiked gates of the fortress and the 30 meters high Chand Minar built by the Bahmani rulers also attracts several tourists to this place every year.

💠Ellora:

Ellora is one of the highly visited World heritage sites of India. Just 30 kilometers Northwest of Aurangabad, Ellora is easily accessible from the nearby major towns. It houses 34 monasteries and temples with some exclusive uninterrupted sequence of monuments that date back from 600 to 1000 AD. The temples of Ellora are dedicated to Brahmanism, Jainism, and Buddhism. It also has some excellent stonework depicting the legends related to Lord Shiva. 

Three peculiarities characterize the 34 excavated caves which date back to 550 – 950 AD. It is where three ancient indigenous Indian religions—Hinduism, Jainism, and Buddhism—meet. Where painting, sculpture, and architecture converge. And where monolithic art and architecture were carved out of living rock with chisel and hammer over a millennium ago. Don’t miss Caves 10 and 12 in the Buddhist series, 16 and 29 in the Hindu series, and 32 and 33 in the Jain series. The largest monolithic structure in the world, Cave 16 also known as the Kailasha Temple, is its magnum opus.

💠Hike through a 52,000-year-old crater lake at Lonar

Like Aurangabad’s other trump cards, Lonar is one of its kind. Steeped in both mythology and science, it is the only hyper-velocity impact crater in basaltic rock on our earth. 52,000 years ago, a meteor weighing 2 million tones hurtling at a speed of 90,000 kilometers per hour smashed into the earth’s surface at this point. Some believe the meteorite is still stuck inside the saline-alkaline crater lake which houses an unusual aquatic ecosystem.

That’s the science part. According to Hindu mythology, Vishnu, one of its principal deities, destroyed the demon Lonasur at Lonar. Temples in honor of various gods pepper the inner slopes and rim. Whatever be your inspiration, Lonar offers one the experience to hike a wee bit into the bowels of the earth and back up to ground level.

💠Pan Chakki:

The word Panchakki literally means water mill. It is another major attraction of Aurangabad. The mill gets its share of water that travels through an underground channel from a source that is 6 km away in the mountains. The water is released onto the wheel creating an enthralling waterfall. The place also has a garden and fountains with fish-filled tanks enhancing the beauty of the entire area. Panchakki also has a tomb of Baba Shah Muzaffar, a Sufi Saint who was a spiritual adviser to Aurangzeb.

✮There are some other places in Aurangabad which you can also visit:- 

💠Siddarth Garden- enjoy the Green Surroundings 

A perfect choice for sightseeing and relaxation, Siddharth Garden is one among the many great places to visit in Aurangabad with family and friends. Encompassing a lush, green garden as well as a zoo. While you can spot some exotic species like crocodiles, elephants, tigers, reptiles, and more, watching the wide variety of flowers, trees, and plants in the garden will also give you calm and solace. Siddarth Garden also has an aquarium with many fish varieties that you can watch while visiting this place.

 💠Salim Ali Lake – Calm and Tranquil Bird Spotting Place

If you love to spend an evening watching colorful birds chirping their heart away, sitting near a pristine lake to soak in the natural beauty of the surroundings, Salim Ali Lake or Salim Ali Sarovar is the best tourist attraction in Aurangabad to go to. Situated centrally in Aurangabad, this beautiful lake that is also an abode to many species of birds has been named after a famous Ornithologist and is one of the best places in Aurangabad to hang out with friends and family. The best time to visit Salim Ali Lake will be in the morning since one can watch a spectacular sunrise and also hear the birds chirping.

💠Hazur Sahib Nanded – Famous Sikh Pilgrimage in Aurangabad

Hazur Sahib, also known as Abchalnagar or Takht Hazuri Sahib Sachkhand, is an important pilgrim site of the Sikhs as it houses one amongst the five Takhts of Sikhism. Sikh Guru, Guru Gobind Singh attained the holy abode in this location which is why Hazur Sahib Nanded is one of the most significant places to visit in Aurangabad and is flocked by Sikh devotees all over the year. The stunning architecture of the Gurudwara will awe you and the warm and welcome ambiance of this holy place is immensely humbling. People from all walks of life, all religions are allowed to visit the Gurudwara.

💠Grihneshwar Temple – Jyotirlinga Temple

Another UNESCO World Heritage Centre, Grishneshwar Temple is also a holy abode to one of the 12 Jyotirlingas in India. It is a 13th-century Shiva Temple that was destroyed by the Mughals and twice re-built after the end of the Mughal Era. The temple portrays South Indian Temple architectural style and is one of the oldest temples in Aurangabad, which makes it a significant part of Aurangabad tourist places as well. This temple is located in Ellora.

💠Shivaji Maharaj Museum

Created in honor of the famous Maratha ruler Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, Shivaji Maharaj Museum is an enchanting museum and famous Aurangabad tourist place as well. The museum houses the astounding artifacts of the Maratha Empire including a traditional Paithani saree, 500-year-old armor, and a copy of the Holy Quran that Aurangzeb had written during his reign. Shivaji Museum is one of the highly recommended places to visit in Aurangabad for those who love to delve deep into the history and architectural significance of a place.

I hope, by reading this blog, you would wish to visit these places once you come to Aurangabad.😊

From :
Gaurav Kalyan Kolte
Assistant Technical Expert, ELESA