Aurangabad Travel Guide

Aurangabad Travel Guide

A historical city lying on the remotest corner of the state of Maharashtra, Aurangabad is renowned for the impressive number of architectural structures that it is blessed with. On your very entrance to the place you will find yourself taken back to the past; such is the magical charm of the many historical and cultural heritage of the place. It lies at a close proximity to the world famous historical sites- Ajanta and Ellora caves thus, heightening its significance. It owes its name to the great Mughal emperor, Aurangzeb. The city lies on the bank of the Kham River and serves as a gateway to the exotic World Heritage Site; Ajanta and Ellora caves. It is a district in the state of Maharashtra that spans over an area of 10100 square km. The town was once the seat of the Mughal Empire and the essence of that Mughal era still loom large in the place. You will surely be fascinated by the age old monuments and historical sites.

The city is blessed with a number of tourist places which invites a large number of tourists every year. While Bibi ka Maqbara is the main tourist attraction in Aurangabad, other prominent attractions are the Panchakki, Aurangabad caves, Khuldabad, Bani Begum Garden, Daulatabad, Sunheri Mahal, Naukonda Palace, Killa Arak and a host of museums lying within its precincts.

An exemplification of the Persian architecture, the Bibi ka Maqbara is the tomb of Rabia Durani who was the wife of Emperor Aurangazeb. A visit to Bibi ka Maqbara will remind you of the world famous Taj Mahal. Though far inferior to Taj Mahal and less ornamented yet it stands as the most popular tourist places in Aurangabad.

Panchakki is a watermill which dates back to the pre-mughal era. It is an engineering marvel of the 17^th century as the machine was used to grind grains way back then. The mill can still be operated and this is what draws a large number of tourists in its precincts.

Standing as a replication of the famous Ajanta and Ellora caves the Aurangabad caves is located at a distance of 3 kms from the heart of the city. There are ten caves which are again divided into two sections each bearing five caves. The cave is known for the impressive Buddhist statues in numerous postures and styles.

There are a number of museums at Aurangabad the most frequented of which are the Historical Museum of Marathwada University and The State Archaelogical Museum. While the former exhibits the artifacts of the Satavahana era and the 17^th century Arabic and Persian manuscripts the latter exhibits the ruins of the Paithan.

Aurangabad is well connected by air, rail and by road and hence it is easily accessible.   

Last Updated: 29/03/2012