AURANGABAD

BEST SEASON: October to April
LANGUAGE SPOKEN: Hindi & English
CLOTHING: Summer- Cotton & Winter- wollen
STD CODE: 0240

INTRODUCTION

Aurangabad is the most frequented and largest city of central Maharashta, situated on the western coast of India. Named after Aurangzeb, who established a capital here in 1633, Aurangabad was previously known as Khadke. Today, Aurangabad is emerging as an industrial center, with silk fabrics as the major industry. Aurangabad has a number of attractions, other than the world famous Ellora and Ajanta caves, located with easy reach.

PLACES TO VISIT

Bibi Ka Maqbara
Bearing a little resemblance from Taj Mahal, Bibi Ka Maquara is the tomb of Begum Rabia-ud-Durani, wife of Emperor Aurangazeb. Thus, it is also called, “Poor Man's Taj Mahal”. The monument is an excellent example of Persian Architecture, with excessive captivating look. The monument has its own charm and has been attracting tourist far and wide.

Himroo Factory
The Himroo factory, situated in the old town near Zaffar Gate, produces hand-woven Himroo shawls from cotton, silk and silver threads. This art, known as Kam Khab, is considered to be a cheaper alternative to the prized brocades of silk and gold thread. This is the best bet while shopping in Aurangabad.

EXCURSIONS

Aurangabad Caves
Apart from the world famous Ajanta and Ellora caves, Aurangabad acquires its own group of caves 2 km north of the Bibi-ka-Maqbara. They were carved out of the hillside around the 6th or 7th century AD. All the 10 caves at this place are associated with Buddhism. All the caves in the Western group are called Viharas.

Ellora caves
The cave temples and monasteries at Ellora, excavated out of the vertical face of an escarpment are 26 kmsnorth of Aurangabad. Extending in a linear arrangement, the 34 caves contain Buddhist Chaityas, or halls of worship, and Viharas, or monasteries, Hindu and Jain temples. Spanning a period of about 600 years between the 5th and the 11th century A.D., the earliest excavation here is of the Dhumar Lena (cave 29). The most imposing excavation is, without doubt that of the magnificent Kailasa Temple (cave 16), which is the single largest monolithic structure in the World. Interestingly Ellora, unlike the sight of Ajanta was never rediscovered. Known as Verul in ancient times, it has continuously attracted pilgrims through the centuries. Ellora has been designated a World Heritage Site, to be preserved as an artistic legacy that will come to inspire and enrich the lives of generations to come.

Ajanta Caves
About 107 kms from the city of Aurangabad, the rock cut caves of Ajanta nestle in a panoramic gorge, in the form of a gigantic horseshoe. Among the finest examples of some of the earliest Buddhist architecture, cave paintings and sculptures, these caves comprise Chaitya Halls, or shrines dedicated to Lord Buddha and Viharas or monasteries used by Buddhist monks for meditation and the study of Buddhist teachings. The paintings that adorn the walls and ceilings of the caves depict incidents from the life of Buddha and various Buddhist divinities. Among the more interesting paintings are the jakata tales, illustrating diverse stories relating to the previous incarnations of the Buddha as Bodhisattva, a saintly being who is destined to become Buddha. Occupied for almost 700 years the caves of Ajanta seem to have been abandoned rather abruptly. They remained shrouded in obscurity upon them while on a hunting expedition in 1819. The viewpoint from where John Smith first glimpsed the caves provides a magnificent sight of the U-Shaped gorge and its scenic surroundings. Ajanta has been designated as a World Heritage Site, to be preserved as an artistic legacy that will come to inspire and enrich the lives of generations to come.

Ooty Lake
If you love the outdoors, Ooty lake is a must see for you. It was built in 1825 and is about 2.5 km long. Visitors to this lake can go for boating on the lake or enjoy their favorite outdoor activity of fishing. If the latter really appeals to you then remember to get fishing permission before you head to buy baits!

HOW TO GET THERE

By Air - Nearest Airport is Aurangabad 10 Kms. Both Indian Airlines and Jet Airways have a daily flight to Mumbai (Bombay).

By Rail - Aurangabad is easily accessible by rail from Hyderabad, Secunderabad, Mumbai and New Delhi. Regular trains are available on South Central Railway to reach Aurangabad.

By Road - Aurangabad is well connected with a metal road, which is comfortable and suited to all weathers. The distances for some of the major cities from Aurangabad are Pune (214 km), Nasik (218 km), Indore (402 km) and Mumbai (403 km).

DISTANCES

Mumbai-403 km
Pune -214 km
Jalgaon-194 km
Ajanta-99 km
Nasik-218 km
Indore-402 km