Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar (Aurangabad)

Travel to Aurangabad

Aurangabad is surrounded by scenic landscapes, historic monuments, ancient caves and impressive examples of architecture. The city is especially famous for the Ajanta and Ellora Caves, which attract visitors from around the world. Here are seven important places to visit in Aurangabad.

1. Ajanta Caves

The Ajanta Caves are among the most popular attractions near Aurangabad. Declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the caves are famous for their remarkable murals and Buddhist art. The paintings depict events from the life of Buddha and various Buddhist deities.

The detailed paintings demonstrate the artistic skills of ancient Indian craftsmen. Despite their age, many of the paintings continue to display impressive colours and artistic details.

2. Ellora Caves

The Ellora Caves are an extraordinary example of India's architectural and religious heritage. Spread across approximately two kilometres, the complex consists of 34 caves representing Buddhism, Hinduism and Jainism.

• The first 12 caves are Buddhist caves.
• The next 17 caves are Hindu caves.
• The final 5 caves are Jain caves.
• The monuments date from approximately 600 AD to 1000 AD.

The temples and monasteries were excavated directly into the walls of a rocky cliff, demonstrating remarkable architectural and engineering skills.

3. Devgiri Fort

Devgiri Fort is located near Daulatabad. The enormous fort is known for its impressive defensive architecture. According to the source, the fort was built by Billamraja, who ruled Daulatabad around 1187 AD.

The fort was designed to provide strong protection to its rulers and was considered extremely difficult to conquer.

4. Bani Begam Bagh

Bani Begam Bagh is a beautiful garden created by the grandson of Aurangzeb in memory of his wife, Bani Begum. It is an ideal place to relax while exploring Aurangabad.

The garden features lush greenery and reflects elements of Mughal architectural style. A waterfall can also be found near the garden, making it a peaceful place to spend time.

5. Ghrishneshwar Temple

Ghrishneshwar Temple dates back to the 18th century and is located approximately half a kilometre from the Ellora Caves. The temple is known for its impressive architecture and peaceful surroundings.

It is an important religious site and is regarded as one of the twelve Jyotirlinga temples dedicated to Lord Shiva.

6. Khuldabad

Khuldabad is an important sacred destination for Muslims and is surrounded by mountains and scenic landscapes. The town contains several historic structures and tombs.

Important attractions include the tomb of Aurangzeb, Lal Bagh of Khan Jahan and several other historic tombs. Remains of old structures and the city's historic walls can also be seen in the area.

7. Pitalkhora Caves

The Pitalkhora Caves are located in a scenic valley and are known for their natural surroundings and ancient Buddhist heritage. The complex consists of 14 Buddhist caves divided into two groups.

• The first group consists of 10 caves.
• The second group consists of 4 caves.
• Traces of ancient paintings can be found at the site.
• The caves feature remarkable architecture and sculpture.

Travel to Aurangabad

Aurangabad offers travellers an opportunity to explore ancient caves, historic forts, religious monuments, Mughal gardens and remarkable examples of Indian architecture. Its combination of natural beauty and cultural heritage makes it an important destination in Maharashtra.