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Aurangabad Caves

Aurangabad Caves are twelve rock-cut Buddhist shrines, located around 20km north-west of Aurangabad. These caves date back to the 6th and 8th century and should not be confused with the Ajanta and Ellora Caves which also located close to Aurangabad. Carved out of Soft Basalt Rock, these are considered as one of the most spectacular caves in India. Bibi Ka Maqabra and Soneri Mahal are located quite close to the Aurangabad Caves, and they can be covered on the same day. From the top, a panoramic and breathtaking view of the city is seen. If you are fond of heritage, then you will love this place of attraction. The Aurangabad Caves are also considered ideal for trekking. The stunning caves were mostly Buddhist Viharas and are now under the protection of the Archaeological Survey of India. The Aurangabad Caves are divided into three separate groups depending on their location as the First group: Cave 1 to Cave 5, Second group: Cave 6 to Cave 9 and Third group: Cave10 to Cave 12. The first two caves have a distance of 500 metres between them, and the third one is slightly further to the east. The definite attraction of the Aurangabad Caves is its sculptures. They are artificially rock cut. Caves I and III of Aurangabad and last caves of Ajanta co-existed as is apparent from striking parallels. Read More

At a distance of 24km from Aurangabad is the astonishingly beautiful Bani Begum Garden with fountains, fluted pillars & massive domes. Bani Begum Garden is a rather lush green site celebrating Mughal architecture and owes its name to Aurangzeb's son's wife, Bani Begum.

The Bhadra Maruti Temple, located in Khuldabad near Aurangabad, is dedicated to the Hindu deity Lord Hanuman. This is one of the only three temples in India where the idol of the presiding deity, Lord Hanuman, is seen in the Bhav Samadhi or the sleeping posture, the other two being at Allahabad and Madhya Pradesh. Situated just 4 kms from the renowned Ellora Caves, Bhadra Maruti is thronged by devotees, especially on Saturdays during the months of "Sharavan" according to the Marathi calendar. The legend of Bhadra Maruti is associated with King Bhadrasen, the erstwhile ruler of Khuldabad, which was known as Bhadravati in ancient times. The king was a pious devotee of Lord Ram and sang melodious songs in his praise listening to which Lord Hanuman descended near him one day. Spellbound by such sweet tunes, Hanumanji lied down in a sleeping posture (the Bhav Samadhi) and was requested by the king to stay there forever, blessing the ardent devotee of Lord Ram. Read More

Having a striking resemblance to Taj Mahal, the Bibi ka Maqbara is a beautiful mausoleum of Rabia- Ul - Daurani alias Dilras Banu Begum, the wife of Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb. Bibi ka Maqbara was constructed by Aurangzeb in the year 1661 in the memory of his wife. Aurangzeb attributed this magnificent edifice in the name of his son Azam Shah who was born in the year 1653, so as to commemorate Rabia - Ul - Daurani, who left for her heavenly abode in the year 1657. The monument resembles the famous Taj Mahal, as the main inspiration for building the design was from here and is often referred to as the Taj of the Deccan. Bibi ka Maqbara intended to rival the Taj Mahal, but because of the decline in architecture and the proportions of the structure, it completely resulted in a copied form of the same. Incidentally, this is one of the largest structures to have been built during Aurangzeb's reign. The mausoleum is a very popular attraction and the monument along with the backdrop of the mountain ranges bring out something beautiful. Read More

Established in the honour of the great Maratha ruler, Shivaji Maharaj, the Chhatrapati Shivaji Museum, located near Nehru Bal Udyan, has a marvellous collection of artefacts belonging to Maratha Empire. The main highlight of the museum is the 500-year-old armour, an equally old traditional Paithani Saree and a copy of the Holy Quran that was written by Aurangzeb. Housing 6 exhibition halls, the Chhatrapati Shivaji Museum in Aurangabad is a rich source of knowledge of the Maratha valour. Read More

Cannaught place or market is developing as a good market for almost everything. It has good multiplex, Prozone Mall, showrooms for cars, gold ornaments SHOWROOMS, market for mobile phones, and almost everything people need in day to day life, with plenty of flats and multi storied buildings. Cannaught is the main commercial district of the city is known as Town Center Connaught. It houses the offices of major banks and public sector companies. It also houses several offices of central and state governments. The surrounding area has existing and upcoming shopping malls & multiplex such as Fame Adlabs, PVR Cinemas& Satyam Cinemas. Cannought is a shoppers paradise of Aurangabad. Read More

Dargah Baba Shah Musafir is a 17th century memorial built by Emperor Aurangzeb in the honour of Baba Shah Musafir who was the spiritual teacher of the emperor. The memorial complex houses a tombstone of Baba Shah Musafir, a mosque, a beautiful garden and a mesmerising fountain. The ambience created in the beautiful complex is extremely tranquil and inviting.

The Dargah of Pir Ismail, as is evident from the name, was built in the memory of Pir Ismail, a tutor to the then Mughal ruler, Aurangzeb. The regal entrance has a large pointed archway, which forms a sort of portico and is built in an intricate style which consists of a Parapet, facade, terrace and a dome. The grave has a theme of Mughal and Pathan architecture. Dargah of Pir Ismail in Aurangzeb is popular among the locals and is crowded mostly on Thursdays. When visiting it, try and hire a guide to know more about the significance and history. The dargah complex has destroyed water tanks and fountains, the sad remains of a once colourful garden. Read More

Located 15 km away from the main city of Aurangabad, Daulatabad Fort is an ancient fortification that rises formidably from the midst of verdant greenery. Often hailed as one of the 'seven wonders of Maharashtra', this architectural marvel is believed to have been built in the 12th century. Also known as Devgiri fort, perhaps the most enchanting qualities is its location, from the zenith of which you can capture a mesmerising view of the entire city. You need to hike some 750 odd steps up to the top, but the view down below is a wonderful thing to behold. One of the most inspiring aspects of the Daulatabad Fort is its design which makes it one of the most powerful fortresses of the medieval period. It is built on a 200 metres high conical hill, which provides this grand fortress with a strategic position, architectural beauty and protection from the enemies. Another unique aspect of the mighty Devgiri Fort is its engineering genius, which not only provided an impregnable defence against enemy forces but also managed irreplaceable resources of water quite well. The contrast of the ancient edifice against the lush green fields of Aurangabad paints a wonderful picture that takes you back through the pages of the days bygone. Read More

The Ellora Ajanta Festival is an age-old tradition in Aurangabad that focuses on appraising and appreciating the culture as well as the architecture and monuments of the district. The festival lasts for three days and is a vibrant blend of activities that entices individuals to visit and take interest and gives them treasured memories in return. The Ellora Ajanta Festival aims to put the rich cultural history of India in the spotlight. Held at the Soneri Mahal, it showcases a mix of classical and folk performances from the best talents in India. Where is Ellora Ajanta Festival held? The Ellora Ajanta Dance Festival is hosted at the Soneri Mahal since the year 2002. When is Ellora Ajanta Festival Celebrated? Date of Event The Ellora Ajanta Dance Festival is held in October or January for three days.Estimated Date for 2023: January 13 History of Ellora Ajanta Festival The stage at Soneri MahalSource The Ellora Ajanta Festival was initially organised in and near the Ellora Caves or more specifically the world heritage site of the Kailash Temple of the Ellora Caves. The Kailash Temple is known for containing the largest monolithic sculpture in the world which was built over the course of 150 years by at least 700 people’s efforts. The Ellora Caves are a cluster of 34 caves located on the slopes of Chamadri Hills, 30 kilometres away from Aurangabad. These caves were said to be mainly devoted to Buddhist, Jain and Hindu religions between 600 and 1000 AD and the location of the festival here, made it shine even brighter than its usual mystic sheen. However, in the year 2002, the location of the festival was shifted to the Soneri Mahal which in itself is a magnificent location.The festival has also been sculpted by the various dynasties that ruled over Aurangabad, such as the Mughals, the Khilji Dynasty and the Yadavas. These dynasties succeeded in adding a little bit of their own culture to the festival, making it a fusion of various forms of art and culture and creating a unique atmosphere. Purpose & Vision of the Event Classical Dance, Ellora Ajanta Dance FestivalSource The initial purpose for starting the Ellora Ajanta Dance Festival was to promote the art and culture that is embedded in Aurangabad, and that plays a massive part in the understanding of the society. The festival brings together individuals from various fields who are interested in relevant topics and also helps people from all around the country showcase their talent. In recent years, the festival is also used to enhance and promote the historical and architectural sites in and around Aurangabad. Sites such as Daulatabad, which has one of the worlds best preserved medieval forts, Bibi ka Maqbara which was built by Aurangzeb’s son for his mother and is a replica of the Taj Mahal, and the water mill of Panchakki have increasingly gained popularity because of the Ellora Ajanta Dance Festival. Events at the Ellora Ajanta International Festival Dancer at the Ellora Ajanta Dance FestivalSource The three-day Ellora Ajanta Dance Festival is organised by the Aurangabad Festival Committee Chairman who is the Divisional Commissioner of Aurangabad and in association with the Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation (MTDC). This festival is a back to back blast of culture and art in the form of dance performances in Kathak and Odissi, instrumentals, vocals and bhajans as well as game competitions. Recently, Kalagram, a craft hut, has also begun a fest called Lokotsav alongside the Ellora Ajanta Dance Festival which focuses on the fine arts as well as pottery and crafts. How to Reach Soneri Mahal By Air: The nearest airport to the Soneri Mahal and other locations of the festival is Aurangabad Airport.By Rail: The place is connected to major states by way of the south-central railway line. Individuals can travel through the Mumbai- Aurangabad route via Manmad as well Pune.By Road: Aurangabad in Maharashtra is well connected to all major cities and metropolitans by way of easily accessible and efficient road networks. Buses, Taxis and Private Cars can be used to reach the desired location. Read More