Tourist places in and around Aurangabad

Bibi-ka-Maqbara

This elegant structure, which the locals proudly call Twin of Taj Mahal and outsiders call Poor Man's Taj, was built by Aurangazeb's son Azam Shah as a tribute to his mother Begum Rabia Durani. Bibi-ka-Maqbara can be quite a trek into nostalgia, well-preserved and retaining the luminosity of all Mughal structures. The marble's ivory shade and the geometric designs still survive despite the intermittent vandalism of the decades. The monument's delicate minarets preen in the sky, while close by the pretty mosque declares the Mughal heritage louder than a muezzin's call. Sunheri Mahal completes the pretty picture with its remnants of a grandeur that refuses to fade. Entry fee & timings: Rs 10 (Indians), Rs 100 (foreigners); 8:00 am-6:00 pm.

This mausoleum of Aurangzeb's wife is a striking replica of the famous Taj Mahal. It was built in 1679, by Aurangzeb's son, as a tribute to his mother Begum Rabia Durani.

Mausoleum of Rabia Durrani, wife of Aurangzeb modelled on the Taj Mahal.

Entry Fee: Rs.5/- (Indian), $2 (Foreigners) Open from Sunrise to 2200 hrs

Panchakki

Another pretty picture is this water-wheel, with a healthy ecology of its own! Large khol fish glide gracefully in a tank that was part of a snazzy engineering marvel in those days, built by the slave-king Malik Amber. Water, drawn from a reservoir 6-km away, was drawn into a tank and an elaborate assemblage of ceramic pipes and an iron fan churned the water to create energy used by the flour mill to grind grain for pilgrims. This spot on the left bank of River Kaum was also selected as the burial shrine of Baba Shah Musafir, Aurangzeb's favourite saint. In its ordinary red marble structure it shares the attributes of severe austerity so true of Aurangzeb himself. Entry fee & timings: Rs 5 (Indians), Rs 100 (foreigners); sunrise to sunset. Cameras Not allowed.

The 17th century water - mill was used to grind grain for the pilgrims. It receives a perrenial water supply through earthen pipes, which are connected to water springs located in the nearby mountains. Mortal remains of a sufi saint spiritual guide of Aurangzeb were buried here in 1624.

An intriguing water mill dating back to the 17th century.

Entry Fee: Rs.5/- (Indian/foreigner).

Open from Sunrise to 2000 hrs

Sunehari Mahal or Golden Palace

It is thought to be built by Malik Kafur

City ruins

For romantic tourists, for whom ruins have more than a macabre interest, Aurangabad is strewn with such reminders. The years have battered down the old city's walls with even greater force than the attacks of the Marathas. The Delhi, Jalna, Paithan and Mecca darwazas have withered with age, as too the nine gateways. Rubble is all that remains of complexes like Naukonda Palace, Killa Arak, Damri Mahal and the Baradari Iwaz Khan Aqueduct.

Places of worship

Scattered in and around the old city these masjids and dargahs, because of continued usage, are better preserved. Jama Masjid takes the lead, having been favoured by both the Nizams and the Mughals. The Shah Ganj Masjid rises majestically against the clutter of the market, the metal spire looms over the Chauki-ki-Masjid (built by Aurangzeb's uncle) while the emperor's tutor lies buried in Dargah of Pir Ismail in the north of the city.

Bani Begum Gardens

These elegant gardens, about 24 km from Aurangabad, house the tomb of Bani Begum, the consort of one of Aurangzeb's sons. Built in various styles, equipped with massive domes, fountains and fluted pillars, these gardens are a fine specimen of Deccan-influenced Mughal architecture.

Aurangabad Caves

Though these caves, situated a couple of kilometres north of the city, always lose out to the splendour of Ajanta and Ellora, their place in the annals of Buddhist art cannot be discounted. It is also a good spot from which to view the Bibi-ka-Maqbara shimmering 2 km away. There are 10 caves, split into east and west wings, with the fourth and also the oldest among them, belonging to the Hinayana phase of Buddhist architecture. Though the caves show different degrees of wear and tear, friezes from the Jataka tales and other artwork survive. Cave 5 is particularly interesting, where the Buddha has been painted over as a tirthankara by the Jains. Entry fee & timings: Rs 10 (Indians), Rs 100 (foreigners); 9:00 am-5:00 pm .

The caves on the outskirts of the town, belong to the Buddhist era and were excavated between 3rd 11th century and reflects tantric influences in their iconography and architectural designs. Cave number 3 and 7 are the most interesting among the group.

Buddhist chapels and monasteries, which are known for their sculpture.

Entry Fee: Rs.5/-(Indian); $2 (Foreigners) Open: Sunrise to Sunset

Daulatabad (13 km)

Also called Devagiri, Daulatabad was always a coveted stronghold as it passed through the hands of different empires. But it is most remembered as the Great Folly of Delhi Sultan Muhammad-bin-Tughlaq, who forced his subjects on a long and arduous trek across the North Indian plains and into the Deccan Plateau, to populate his new capital Daulatabad. Just a few years passed and they were forced to make the trek back, when the monarch decided that life on a hot and dusty plateau was far worse than hot and dusty Delhi. Check out the free-standing Jama Masjid close by, its companion Chand Minar and take a peek into Chini Mahal. MTDC is very organised in Aurangabad, so you can always catch a bus to Daulatabad if you are scrimping (Rs 85 to and from, with guide). ITDC also has a similar service at Rs 125. But the most hassle-free way to travel is to hire a private vehicle Rs 1,200 approx, to and from the fort; a city sightseeing package for Rs 2,000 for the day covers trips to the Ellora caves, Daulatabad Fort and Aurangabad. Entry fee & timings: Rs 5 (Indians), $5 (foreigners); 9:00 am-6:00 pm.

The huge hilltop fort here has been described as ‘the most impregnable fort ever constructed'. It was earlier known as Devgiri and is said to be constructed by the Yadava Kings in 1338. There are several historical antiquities within the fort.

In 1338, long before Aurangabad was founded, Muhammed Tughlaq, one of the Delhi sultans, decided to make his capital at Daulatabad. The idea found no favour with his subjects, many thousands of whom died on the way from Delhi. Tughlaq eventually lost interest, and more died on the march back to Delhi. Since limited use by the Mughals, tehplace has been deserted.

The entry to the fort through multiple walls and barbicans indicate the strength of its defences. The slopes of the hill were carved away to make it even more formidable.

The Chand Minar, a 65 m high minaret, was built in 1435 to celebrate the capture of the place by another Muslim king. Not as pretty as the Qutub Minar but near enough as high, and you're allowed to climb all the way to the top.

The Mosque oppositeis an odd combination. The main hall is constructed on the usual Hindu Pillar and lintel system, and most bays are roofed in the traditional fashion by overlappin layers of stone, yet in the centre is a proper dome. The central miharb, which probably started as the doorway to a temple sanctum, has reverted to a Hindu shrine. Note the diamond and chequer design on the lintels; there is a similar piece in the steps up to the minar.

The Chini Mahal, or China Palace, on the way up, is so-named from its blue and white tilling. The circular bastion nearby has a magnificent bronze gun on top. Passing through a passage hewn from solid rock, you enter a courtyard. This was gated, and the doorway leadingup is one of the earlier Hindu parts of the fort (ignore the long flight of steps up, this is modern and forms the exit). Above the foot of the steps inside is a pot from which boiling oil and the like could be poured on invaders. At the top of the steps is part of the iron shutters on top of which a large fire was lit to exhaust all air from the tunnel. Give one of the torch men his few rupees, and he'll explain all the intricacies of this unique defensive system.

At the top of the hill are Mughal pavilions and a citadel surrounded by another huge cannon. Note the reservoirs here and elsewhere.

Arrival and departure. Daulatabad is 15 km from Aurangabad on the bus route to Ellora.

This fort was built by the Yadava dynasty in 1187 and was known as Deogiri. It was renamed Daulatabad by Mohd-bin-Tughlaq who shifted his capital temporarily here in 1326 A.D.

Entry Fee: Rs.5/-(Indian), $2 or Rs.100/-(Foreigners) Open: Sunrise to Sunset;

Khuldabad (26 Km)

Khuldabad (The Heavenly Abode) is a walled village which has long attracted holy men. In one corner of the courtyard of a dorned tomb is the grave of Aurangzeb, which is modest in the extreme nd open to the elements. Even the marble screen around the tomb is a modern addition, put there by one of the Nizams of Hyderabad. The domed tomb, which belongs toa saint from Shiraz in Iran, is worth a quick look. The chain hanging over the cenotaph is of ostrich eggs, and in one corner is a complete Koran in minute writing on a sheet of paper little bigger than A4. An enclosure in an adjacent corner to Aurangzeb's has three tombstones, those of Azam Shah who built the Bibi-ka-Marqbara, his wife, and another saint.

Arrival and departure, 26 km from Aurangabad and 4 km from Ellora. The bus-stand at khuldabad is a good kilometer out of town.

The simple tomb of Emperor Aurangazeb is situated here.

Ellora Caves (29 Km): The Ellora Caves belong to the Buddhist, Hindu and Jain faiths. There are in all 34 caves, of which 12 are Buddhist, 17 Hindu and 5 Jain. The most remarkable of the carved shrines at Ellora is the Kailasa Temple chiseled out from a single rock & is lavishly carved and sculpted.

Timings: Open from 0900 to 1730 hrs Closed on Tuesdays Entry Fee: Rs.5/-(Indians), $5 (Foreigners).

Pitalkhora

About 78 km from Aurangabad is Pitalkora.

The 13 Buddhist cave templs here are the oldest in Inida (2nd century BC). Some of the murals have survived the ravages of time A group of 13 caves - Chaityas and Viharas, dating back to the 2nd century B.C. with additions in the 5th and 6th centuries.

Grishneshwar Temple (30 Km)
One of the 12 Jyotirlingas;

Maheshmal (50 Km)

A beautiful hill resort at an altitude of 913 meters.

Paithan (56 Km)

Situated on the banks of the river Godavari, is this ancient city of Pratishthan, also famous for it?s association with the renowned Marathi poet Saint Eknath, whose shrine is located here. Paithan is also famous for its gold and silver embroidered saris called ?Paithanis?. 4 Km north of Paithan town is the Jaikwadi Project and the area around Jaikwadi has been developed into the Gyaneshwar Udyan, planned along the lines of the Brindavan gardens at Mysore.

Entry Fee: Rs.10/-;

Shani Shingnapur (75 Km)

Famous for the venerated Shani shrine.

Sindkhed Raja (90 Km): Sindkhed Raja is famous as the birthplace of Rajmata Jijabai, the mother of the great Maratha warrior, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.

Lonar Crater (145 km)

The Crater was formed by the impact of a meteorite, nearly 50,000 years ago. The Lonar Crater, said to be among the five largest in the world, has the distinction of being the only natural impact crater in basalt rock.

Siddharth Garden & Zoo

A famous picnic spot.

Timings: 0900 - 2000 hrs Entry Fee for Garden & Zoo: Rs.2/-(Adult) & Rs.1/- (Child), Entry Fee for Musical Fountains: Rs.5/- (Adult) & Rs.3/-(Child) Daily one show at 1825 hrs only.

Garden is open all days.

Zoo & Musical fountains closed on Tuesdays.

Museums

History Museum of Dr. B.A. Marathwada University:
Timings: 1030 hrs - 1700 hrs
Closed on 2nd & 4th Saturdays, Sundays & Public Holidays
Entry Fee: Rs.2/- (Indian) & Rs.5/- (Foreigner)
State Archaeology Museum, Sonehri Mahal
Entry Fee: Rs.3/-
Shivaji Museum:
Tel: 2334087
Timings: 1030 hrs to 1330 hrs, 1400 hrs to 1800 hrs
Entry Fee: Adults- Rs.5/- per head,
Students and children: Rs.2/- per head.

Around Aurangabad

Ajanta (107 km)

Ajanta is world renowned for the rock - cut Buddhist caves, dating from 2nd century BC to 5th century AD. There are about 30 caves nestling in a panoramic gorge amidst Sahyadri ranges in the form of a gigantic horseshoe. This treasure house of art and architecture was discovered in 1819, by a group of British oficers. Today, Ajanta has been designated as a ‘World Heritage site' by UNESCO. The caves were once the retreat of Buddhist monastic orders and comprises of chaitya halls or shrines dedicated to Lord Buddha and vihras or monasteries, used by monks for mediation and the study of Buddhist teachings. The frescoes in 5 caves and some of the sculptures are considered to be among the greatest achievements of Indian artists. The neartest convenient railhead for Ajanta is at Jalgaon (58 km).

The thirty rock-hewn caves at Ajanta, cut into the scarp of a cliff are either Chaityas (chapels) or Viharas (monasteries). On the walls of the caves are paintings, many still glowing with their original colours. The outer walls are covered with brilliantly executed sculpture. The Buddhist theme of the Ajanta paintings recounts the life of Lord Buddha and tales of his previous earthly experiences.

Entry Fee: Rs.5/- (Indians), $5 (Foreigners).

Timings: From 0900 hrs to 1730 hrs (or sunset).

Closed on Mondays