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Tales of love, loss and war echo from the walls of historical monuments in the City of Gates. Be it Bibi ka Maqbara - a romantic remnant of King Aurangzeb’s love for his wife, or the Ajanta and Ellora caves that comprise ancient paintings and scriptures since time immemorial. Keeping its old-world charm intact, Aurangabad tourism is beloved for its beauty. The city is also one of the most important industrial hubs in the country. You will find a fusion of Mughal and modern architecture as you make your way into the city.
| Aurangabad Tourism: A Quick View of the City | |
| State | Maharashtra |
| Official Language | Marathi |
| Dial Code | 0240 |
| Population | 11.8 lakhs |
| Currency | Indian Rupee (INR) |
| Time Zone | GMT +5:30 (IST) |
| Area | 139 square kilometres |
A memorial of love, Bibi Ka Maqbara is a spitting image of Taj Mahal. The mausoleum was erected in the memory of Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb’s wife; Dilras Banu Begum. You can visit this exquisite shrine from 8 am to 8 pm. With artistic sculptures carved on its walls, Ajanta ellora caves represent the early history of Aurangabad and its people. It is one of the most famous places to visit in Aurangabad. With the caves now a UNESCO world heritage site, they are amongst the most frequented tourist destinations. With the advent of different religions in the city, Ellora caves were divided into three parts- Buddhist, Hindu and Jain caves. You can schedule a visit to the Ajanta ellora caves from June to September, which is the monsoon season.
Good food is like a cherry on the cake while one is on a tour. Let the flavours of Mughlai and Hyderabadi cuisine satiate your taste buds. The food in Aurangabad is a fusion of Mughlai spices and Hyderabadi garnishes. One of the most popular dishes in the city is Tahri- a type of biryani with a rather unconventional way of preparation. As opposed to the conventional method, meat is added to the rice while cooking Tahri. Another dish that is widely consumed in the city is Naan Qalia, which traces its origins back to Medieval India. Naan is a bread heated over a furnace and Qalia is a spicy mixture of mutton.
When in Aurangabad, do not forget to buy the ethnic Himroo shawls and Paithani sarees from shops near you. Paithani Silk sarees are made from a variety of colourful threads gathered with a golden thread. You will find various designs such as peacock, lotus and parrot woven together. Himroo shawls reflect the traditional art of Maharashtra. Who knew that clothes could tell stories without a word? Another place to go to if you are looking to take a walk, and also do some sight-seeing, is Siddharth garden. This place has a three in one offer for you! It has a park, garden and a mini zoo! You might be lucky enough to spot a lion. Elephants, leopards and cats could come and say hi too.
The Bhadra Maruti Temple is one of Aurangabad’s famous places to visit since it is one of the three temples in India to have a leaning statue of Hanuman. It is located two kms away from the tomb of Aurangzeb. The walls of the temple hold stories from the past in the form of chiselled hymns and scriptures. Looking for something to pique your interest? Visit the astonishing Kailasa Temple in Ellora Caves. You won’t believe it, but this temple was carved out of a single rock! The temple portrays images from the Ramayana, Mahabharata and the mischiefs of Lord Krishna.
You might have read tales of yearning, love and loss when you were a child, however Aurangabad tourism is the one holiday destination that will let you experience these stories for yourself. Want to live and not read a story? Head to Aurangabad right away.
This major tourism region lies safely in between the Godavari and Tapi river basin and is bordered by Nashik. It is at a distance of 375 kms from the City of Dreams - Mumbai. The city of gates is tucked away in the many historical monuments surrounding it.
Click here to view Aurangabad on Google Map
The sun is a regular visitor throughout the year in the city. However, the weather gets relatively cooler in the winter season with the temperature often dropping down to 10 C. Hence, the influx of tourism in Aurangabad is usually from October to March. The warmth of the winter sun in the chilly weather will seem pleasant, making it easy for you to explore the unheard stories in the city.
By Road - Being a tourist destination, Aurangabad is well connected to major cities. You can easily get private and state government buses to and from Aurangabad.
By Rail - The Aurangabad Railway station is located in the city with trains running to and from all the major cities. Two trains to Mumbai run twice a day on a regular basis.
By Air - The Aurangabad airport has an efficient connectivity with major cities like Delhi, Bangalore, Mumbai, Hyderabad and Udaipur. It is located 11 kms away from the railway station. In case of international travellers, the most convenient way would be to fly to Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport in Mumbai.
As you explore Aurangabad, you will realise that the historical monuments surrounding the city speak for themselves. Dating back to the second century BCE, you can find stories carved on the walls of the Ajanta caves. These stories narrate and represent the lives of the people who lived in Aurangabad during the rule of the Satvahanas. The Ellora caves have stood the test of time as Buddhism, Jainism and Hinduism were introduced to the city between the 5th and 10th century CE. The Yadavs, Mughals and Marathas reigned over the city, each making their own distinctive mark which is evidently seen in the city’s architecture. However, the city got its name post the rule of King Aurangzeb. Aurangabad translates to “built by thrones” and rightfully so.
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