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).
