Aurangabad is a significant city of Maharashtra that has been a silent spectator to various phases of history. Illustrating the glory of the days gone by, it is dotted with several attractions such as tombs, palaces, and gardens. From 1653 to 1707 the city came into the limelight when the last Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb made it his capital. Thus, it got its name – Aurangabad. Although the city received a setback with the emperor’s demise, it still stands with its head high, holding some magnanimous monuments. In addition to historical structures, Aurangabad is splashed by Buddhist caves that give more reasons to tourists to visit it. But that is not all about Aurangabad. It is one of the fastest-growing cities in Maharashtra and a major industrial hub as well.
Known as the largest city of Northern Maharashtra, Aurangabad has a long history. This is the only destination of India that has two world heritage monuments. It has myriad iconic attractions to its credit that magnetize visitors from far and wide. Among the most notable ones are the well-known rock-cut Ajanta and Ellora caves, which are the World Heritage Sites. Ajanta Caves hail from the 2nd century BCE and have been built till the 6th century CE. Throughout these centuries, the caves were adorned with fabulous paintings, splendid sculptures, and marvelous murals. Ellora Caves are almost 1500 years old.
Apart from these ancient glorious sites, there is much more to Aurangabad that commands visits. The city has its heritage and ethics nourished. Thereby, it welcomes its visitors with a generous extent of hospitality. Other attractions to explore here include Bibi ka Maqbara – the replica of the famous Taj Mahal and Panchakki- a 17th-century watermill. Daulatabad Fort, Siddharth Garden, Aurangzeb Tomb, Zain-ud-din complex, and Aurangabad Zoo are also must-visit places in Aurangabad.
Travelers can also pay homage at shrines of some saints such as Shaikh Burham-ud-din Gharib and Zain-ud-din Chishti. Kailash Temple and Shuli Bhanjan are other sacred sites. There are some excursion points as well to go to. These include Khultabad, Pitalkhora, Paithan, Daulatabad, and Shirdi. Grishneshwar Mandir, about 30 km from Aurangabad is an unmissable place. The temple holds one of the 12 ‘jyotirlingas’ of Lord Shiva in India, which was restored by Chhatrapati in the early 17th century.
Apart from sightseeing and sacred sites, Aurangabad offers a superb collection of handicraft items and metal goods. Tourists can carry home these items as souvenirs.
