Aurangabad, situated in the central part of Maharashtra is one of the most visited travel destinations in India. Previously known as Khadke, Aurangabad is named after Aurangzeb, who established a capital here in 1633. Though the splendour of the 16th and 17th centuries found its supreme expressions in the royal monuments of Delhi and Agra, there is enough in Aurangabad to reward the interested travelers. Today, Aurangabad is also emerging as an industrial center, with silk fabrics as the major industry. Aurangabad has a number of awesome monumental attractions, other than the world renowned EIlora and Ajanta caves, located nearby.

Aurangabad Attractions
Panchakki :
Panchakki, meaning Water Wheel, is one major attraction of Aurangabad. The mill is considered as an amazing wonder of engineering. It is driven by water that is brought through earthen pipes from the river 6 km away. Nearby is the shrine of a saint, Baba Shah Muzaffar, who was spiritual guide to Aurangzeb.


Bibi Ka Maqbara :
Bearing a little resemblance from Taj Mahal is the tomb of Begum Rabia-ud-Durani, wife of Emperor Aurangazeb. Hence called, “Poor Man’s Taj Mahal”. Bibi Ka Maqbara is a finest example of Persian Architecture, with excessively impressive look. Even though not compared to Taj, the monument has its own beauty and has been attracting tourist from all around.

Himroo Factory :
This factory is situated in the old town near Zaffar Gate. It produces hand-woven traditional 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. Himroo shawls and saris are the best buys in Aurangabad. They can be found in many showrooms around the market area of Aurangabad.

Aurangabad Caves :
Apart from the caves of Ajanta and Ellora, Aurangabad has 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. The 10 caves are all Buddhist. All the caves in the Western group are called Viharas.

Ajanta Caves :
Ajanta is barely two hours drive from Aurangabad. Situated at a distance of 99 km from Aurangabad, Ajanta Caves dates back to the 2nd century B.C., when first of these caves was hollowed out from the side of the cliff. Ajanta is a protected monument under the Archaeological Survey of India and has been included in the World Heritage list of monuments.

Discovered in the early 19th century by a party of British officers, the Ajanta caves were a reserved and quiet retreat for Buddhist monastic orders and yet offered easy access to the trade routes that swung past here to the coast. With little more than hammer and chisel but with a deep faith inspiring them, these simple monks excavated chaityas, chapels for prayer and viharas, monasteries where they lived and tought and carried out ritual performances.

The Boddhisatvas who figure prominently in the Ajanta paintings are celestial beings, often personifications of the virtues of Buddha, who visit the world of men. In their range of time and treatment the paintings at Ajanta are a panorama of life in ancient India and could well the studied for a description of the culture of those times.

Ellora Caves
Even more impressive in terms of architectural splendour are the cave temples of Ellora, about 30 km from Aurangabad. Here are some 34 caves, carved out in a curve on the slopes of low hills; 16 of them are Hindu, 13 Buddhist and five of the Jain faith. And yet no signs of religious hostility disturb the tranquil atmosphere of Ellora. These rock temples and monasteries were constructed between the 5th and 8th centuries A.D.

Getting There
By Air :
Aurangabad airport is 10 km east of the city. Both Indian Airlines and Jet Airways have a daily flight to Mumbai (Bombay).

By Rail :
Aurangabad is not on the main railway corridor, still a number of trains stop here. There are two direct trains between Aurangabad and Mumbai. There is a daily train to Hyderabad.

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).