AURANGABAD TOURIST PLACE

Aurangabad is a historic city in Maharashtra state of India. The city is a Tourist hub, surrounded by many historical monuments, including the Ajanta Caves and Ellora Caves, which are UNESCO World Heritage Sites, as well as Bibi Ka Maqbara and Panchakki. The administrative headquarters of the Aurangabad Division or Marathwada region, Aurangabad, is said to be a City of Gates and the strong presence of these can be felt as one drives through the city. In 2010, the Maharashtra Tourism Minister declared Aurangabad to be the tourism capital of Maharashtra. It is also one of the fastest growing cities in the world. There are numerous fascinating places in Aurangabad city as well as around it. The places which are present in the Aurangabad city are Bibi Ka Maqbara, Panchakki (Watermill), Naukhanada Palace, Himayat Baugh, Salim Ali Lake and Bird Sanctuary, Shahganj Masjid, Kali Masjid,Quila-E-Ark, Sunehari Mahal, Pir Ismail Mausoleum, Chowk Masjid and Aurangabad Caves. Whereas the Attractions like Ajanta Caves, Ellora Caves, Daulatabad, Khultabad, Pitalkhora Caves, Grishneshvar, Jayakwadi Dam, Dnyaneshwar Garden, Gautala Sanctuary, Mhaismal, Kagzipura lie around Aurangabad city. Sharanpur is also getting popularity for adventure tourism situated at 10 km from Aurangabad. The world famous Astronomical Wonder Lonar Crater Lake is situated at distance of 148km from Aurangabad.

PLACES TO VISIT IN AURANGABAD

Named after the Mughal emperor Aurangzeb, Aurangabad is also called the 'City of Gates', a visit to this historic city will get you acquainted with the many different places to visit in Aurangabad and will offer a lively glimpse of its golden past. Aurangabad with its history and brilliance attracts a large number of tourists from almost all the corners of the country. The overwhelming crowd, the myriad options for the tourists and the amazing ambience around Aurangabad makes it the tourism hub in the entire Maharashtra. Here are some of the best places to visit in Aurangabad:

1. Ajanta Caves: While searching for all the Aurangabad places to visit, Ajanta Caves will be one of the first and foremost names. A group of around 30 Buddhist caves that are carved out of rocks, these caves date back to the 2nd century and is considered as an epitome of ancient architecture and considered as the most brilliant form of Indian art. It is declared as 'World Heritage Site' by UNESCO.

2. Bibi Ka Maqbara:

If you still think only Taj Mahal is the ultimate symbol of love, you must visit 'Bibi Ka Maqbara', one of the historic places that must be visited while in Aurangabad called the. Though not as huge and popular like the Taj, this historic monument also symbolizes the love of the Mughal emperor Aurangzeb for his wife Dilras Banu Begum.

3. Daulatabad Fort: One of the most commanding and undefeatable forts in the entire country, Daulatabad Fort in Daulatabad; or Devagiri as it was known earlier, is among the must visit places near Aurangabad. Around 11km north-west of Aurangabad, this glorious fortress stand strong on a conical hill that stands around 200m above the sea level.

4. Ellora Caves: Another architectural brilliance of a bygone era, Ellora Caves is also among the not to miss places to visit near Aurangabad. Located around 29km from the city centre, this chain of caves was built by the Rashtrakuta dynasty of the Buddhist clan and Yadav group of the Jains. A must visit UNESCO World Heritage site in Maharashtra; this series of caves also showcases the perfection and epitome of the pre historic times of the Indian culture.

5. Grishneshwar Temple: An important pilgrimage for the Hindus, this ancient temple is located in a quaint hamlet that is around 30km from Aurangabad and also lies within the limits of the historic Ellora Caves. A major name in the list of tourist places near Aurangabad, the temple is considered as a pious destination by the Hindu devotees. It is also said that it is the last or the 12th 'Jyotirlinga' on earth.

6. Himayat Baugh: Once known as the 'Mughal Garden', HimayatBagh in Aurangabad is another delightful reminiscent of the past. Sprawling over an area of 300 acres, this lush and verdant garden of the 17th century is now the home to the Fruit Research Station and Nursery.

7. Jayakwadi Dam: Another not to miss Aurangabad places to visit is the fascinating Jayakwadi Dam. Known to be one of the largest irrigation dams in the entire of Maharashtra and one of the largest earthen dams in Asia, it contributes mainly to irrigation and other agricultural purposes in the Marathwada vicinity which is mainly a drought prone area.

8. Zainuddin Shirzai's Maqbara: More than a tourist destination, Aurangabad is known for its diverse history and pious saints. One among such saints, Syed Zain-ud-Din, who was born in Shiraz, Hijri, came to Delhi and became the disciple of Maulana Kamaluddin in Samana. Along with his teacher, he finally came to Daualtabad and began the 'Chistia Order'.

9. Panchakki (Water mill): Also known as the 'Water Mill'; the origin of the name is associated with the mill that used to grind grains for the pilgrims to the sight, Panchakki was built to meet up the energy requirement by bringing down the water of a spring in a nearby mountain. An underground conduit feeds the mill with uninterrupted supply of water, which then descends down to a cistern from a considerable height and produces the required power to operate the mill. Around the mill, you can find the Baba Shah Musafir Dargah.

10. Lonar Crater Lake: Around 3 hours from Aurangabad, the Lonar Crater Lake in Buldhana district of Maharashtra is also among the important places to visit near Aurangabad. A study point of several geologists, ecologists, archaeologists, naturalist, astronomers and aspiring students, this lake was created due to impact of a meteor that is known to be the largest of its kind. Huge mass and velocity of the meteor, after it hit the ground, created a saline soda lake that measures around 1.2km in diameter and 137m in depth.