AURANGABAD: The Cultural Hub of Central Maharashtra
Best places to visit in Aurangabad , sightseeing & tourist attractions in Aurangabad
Once the heartbeat of the great Mughal Empire, Aurangabad today is both modern and ancient; a maze of streets in which the two worlds co-exist. Aurangabad, located in central Maharashtra, is the ideal base to explore a region that is a heady cocktail of history, geography, art, religion, culture and more. Indeed the entire region is flush with velvet green vegetation during the rainy season.
Map of Aurangabad: This beautiful city is positioned in the central part of Maharashtra. The place mostly bordered by hills on all sides.
What’s famous here: Places You Should Not Miss in Aurangabad
Shopping in Aurangabad
Tourists can shop for exclusive handicrafts at a bargain. You can shop for excellent brassware, beautiful Paithani saris woven with gold and silver threads or fine Himroo shawls… now even used as saris, curtain drapes and other furniture accessories.
Architecture of Aurangabad: Aurangabad is known for its eye-catching mughal architectural tradition. The Mughal Emperor Aurangazeb has built several exquisite building that will capture your attention.
What to see: Top Tourism Places Aurangabad
Bibi-ka-Maqbara: a marble mausoleum built by the Mughal Emperor Aurangazeb’s daughter in memory of her mother. And though it is often referred to as a replica of the famous Taj Mahal, it is an outstanding monument in its own right.
Three enormous gates (all the remains of the fort that once encircled the city) stud the roads that eventually lead to the Bibi-ka-Maqbara. This beautiful marble mausoleum, which was inspired by the Taj Mahal, is undoubtedly the jewel
Aurangabad Caves: The Aurangabad caves are twelve Buddhist Caves which are date between 2nd or 3rd century AD to 7th century AD. The caves are known for its spectacular sculptural embellishments. One can also see the walls of the caves carved with various Buddhist gods and goddesses.
Panchakki: Built in early years of the 17th century, Panchankki or the water mill was designed in such a way that it created energy to grind grains for pilgrims through water. Today this place is also an attractive water fall.
Travel to Aurangabad: Tour package of Aurangabad sightseeing spots
Climate:
| Month | JAN | FEB | MAR | ARP | MAY | JUNE | JULY | AUG | SEPT | OCT | NOV | DEC |
| Temperature | 27*C | 28*C | 30*C | 33*C | 36*C | 36*C | 38*C | 36*C | 30*C | 30*C | 28*C | 27*C |
Local languages: Marathi, Hindi and English
Best time to visit: November to February
How to reach Aurangabad:
By Air: Aurangabad airport is located about 10 km from city centre.
Click here for more information about flights to Aurangabad.
By Rail: Aurangabad station is an important junction on the Central Railway line. All trains passing through stop here which means that it is very well connected to rest of the country.
The station is located in the heart of the city right next to the main bus terminal.
By Road:
State Transport (ST) and private buses ply regular services between Aurngabad and most major cities in Maharashtra as well as adjoining states. The main bus terminal is in the heart of the city right next to the railway station.
ST operated two separate tour buses (with guide) every day to the UN World Heritage Sites of Ajanta and Ellora. The buses which start from the bus terminal also pick up passengers from the MTDC tourist complex which is across and down the main road leading out of the railway station / bus terminal.
Excursions from Aurangabad: Sightseeing & Tourist Attractions in Aurangabad
Ajanta: a UNESCO World Heritage Sites, lies 107 km to the north of Aurangabad. One must park one’s vehicle at the shopping-cum-parking complex 4 km from the entrance of the caves and take an electric bus to the site. Predominantly Buddhist, the caves which are excavated into the face of a horseshoe gorge between 2 BC and 6 AD are rich in paintings and sculptures that are remarkable even by today’s standards. Thanks to Japanese funding and modern technology a new lighting system brings to life the treasures within these ancient art galleries as never before.
A 12 km detour takes one to View Point which offers a panoramic view of seven level waterfall and the sweep of caves below.
Ellora: also a World Heritage Sites, lies 26-km east of Aurangabad and around 100 km south-east of Ajanta. These ancient cave temples built between 5 and 11 AD are an artistic sangam or confluence of the three great Indian religions – Buddhism, Hinduism and Jainism. The common thread that runs through this ever-changing tapestry in stone is an energetic expression of devotion that transformed inanimate rock into living divinity. However the centrepiece of the collection is undoubtedly Kailasha temple, the world’s largest monolithic sculpture.
Ghrishneshwar Temple: one of 12 Jyothirlingas shrines in India lies just 1 km further east of Ellora.
Lonar Crater: is located 170 km west of Aurangabad and 150 south-west of Ajanta. Carved out some 50,000 years ago by a meteorite that came hurtling down to earth, this is the world’s largest impact crater in ballistic rock. Nestled in the heart of the thickly vegetated cone (1.8-km in diameter) is a shimmering blue lake whose banks are studded with ancient temples.
Aurangabad Travel Packages:
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Hotels and Resorts in Aurangabad
There are several luxury and budget hotels in the city of Aurangabad including the Taj Residency which is undoubtedly the pick of the lot. MTDC has a tourist lodge in Aurangabad.
Here is a list of the hotels you can book with us:
- The Manor Hotel
- Hotel Windsor Castle
- Lemon Tree Hotel
- Aurangabad Gymkhana Club
- The Meadows
- Ambassador Ajanta
- VITS
Flights to Aurangabad
Aurangabad airport is located about 10 km from city centre.
Click here for more information about flights to Aurangabad.
Trains to Aurangabad
Aurangabad station is an important junction on the Central Railway line. All trains passing through stop here which means that it is very well connected to rest of the country.
The station is located in the heart of the city right next to the main bus terminal.
Buses to Aurangabad
State Transport (ST) and private buses ply regular services between Aurngabad and most major cities in Maharashtra as well as adjoining states. The main bus terminal is in the heart of the city right next to the railway station.
ST operated two separate tour buses (with guide) every day to the UN World Heritage Sites of Ajanta and Ellora. The buses which start from the bus terminal also pick up passengers from the MTDC tourist complex which is across and down the main road leading out of the railway station / bus terminal.
Car Hire in Aurangabad: To experience Aurangabad at your own pace you can take a care hire. Hire a cab and get enchanted by the captivating locations of Aurangabad. You can also hire a cab for excursions from Aurangabad