Aurangabad Tourist Attractions
Blessed with historically and architecturally important structures, the city of Auranagabad is visited by whopping numbers of travelers who intend to have a taste of the intricate work of art and discover the enigma of the famous caves.
 Aurangabad Caves
Towards the end of the city on Sahyadri hill is the Aurangabad Cave, a world heritage sites built with the financial assistance from Bakatak Kings and Kalchuri Kings of Deccan that dates back to somewhere around the 2nd and 3rd century. Mahayana Buddhists Chaitya and Vihar types of caves have been built in two portions consisting of 10 caves which were inspired by Tantric Hinduism.
Bibi Ka Maqbara Aurangabad
5km from the city and 3km to the south of the cave is Bibi Ka Maqbara, the tomb of Raiba-Ud-Durani, the 1st wife of Aurangzeb. During 1653-78, Aurangzeb, the son of Shahjahan built 'Tajmahal of the poor'resembling Taj of Agra on this tomb. The architect was Ustad Ataulla from Persia. The lattice works and in-lay decorations of flowers and creepers are wonderful.
 Jama Masjid Aurangabad
The magnificient mosque was built under the patronage of the Mughal Emperor Aurangazeb and it is situated in Killa Arrack. The low buildings are embraced by groves and are embellished by sleek minarets and a broad band where Koranic inscriptions are inscribed on it.
Chauk Masjid Aurangabad
Built by the uncle of Emperor Aurangzeb Shayista Khan in 1665, the marvellous masjid is adorned with equally marvellous domes.
 Lal Masjid Aurangabad
The splendid mosque painted in deep red and made up of basalt has a history that goes back to 1655. This mosque is situated in the old city area.
Ajanta Caves
The Ajanta Caves situated 59km from Jalgaon ranks immediately after Taj in the tourism map of India. Ajanta is renowned for its cave-paintings or frescos of multiple colours; similarly great sculptural works glorify the Ellora of Aurangabad. These wonderful Buddhist cave temples built on Sahyadri hills have a history of 850 years.These artistic caves were built by more than 200 Buddhist Bhikhsus, artists, sculptors and labourers by cutting the steep igneous rocks and shaped it like a garland of flowers. There are in all 29 caves in Ajanta.
Ellora Caves
India's 3rd wonder or Ellora caves stand in semi-circular form at a distance of 28km to the S-west of the Aurangabad and 17 km to N-West of the fort. The caves were built on uneven hill slopes between 6th and 12th century in course of fade out to Buddhism. These are monastry or vihar type caves numbering 34.A wonderful specimen of Indian fine arts. The entire sculpture styles display the delightful merging of Buddhism, Jainism and Hinduism.
 History Museum of Marathwada University Aurangabad
The museum houses miniature paintings of Maratha, Rajput, Mughal and paintings belonging to the East India Company era. One can also get to see excavated material belonging Sathavahana dynasty. Even attractive objects hailing from China and Japan, gold embroidery and numerous manuscripts which dates back to 17th and 18th century AD in Persian and Arabic languages are on display here.
State Archaeology Museum, Sonehri Mahal Aurangabad
The palace was built by Wajid Ali Shah, the last Nawab of Aurangabad. Though today the palace is in the state of ruins but some of its portion still provides a glimpse of the opulence of the Palace. |
