| The
Palace on Wheels Train |
|
|
| Royal
Rajasthan on Wheels Train |
|
|
| Deccan
Odyssey Luxury Train |
|
|
| India
Luxury Train Destinations |
|
|
|
| Aurangabad Tourism |
 |
 Aurangabad,
situated in the central part of Maharashtra is one of the most visited travel
destinations in India. Previously known as Khadke, Aurangabad is named after
Aurangzeb, who established a capital here in 1633. Though the splendour
of the 16th and 17th centuries found its supreme expressions in the royal
monuments of Delhi and Agra, there is enough in Aurangabad to reward the
interested travelers. Today, Aurangabad is also emerging as an industrial
center, with silk fabrics as the major industry. Aurangabad has a number
of awesome monumental attractions, other than the world renowned EIlora
and Ajanta caves, located nearby.
Aurangabad Attractions
» Panchakki : Panchakki, meaning Water Wheel, is
one major attraction of Aurangabad. The mill is considered as an amazing
wonder of engineering. It is driven by water that is brought through earthen
pipes from the river 6 km away. Nearby is the shrine of a saint, Baba Shah
Muzaffar, who was spiritual guide to Aurangzeb.
» Bibi Ka Maqbara : Bearing a little resemblance
from Taj Mahal is the tomb of Begum Rabia-ud-Durani, wife of Emperor Aurangazeb.
Hence called, “Poor Man’s Taj Mahal”. Bibi Ka Maqbara is
a finest example of Persian Architecture, with excessively impressive look.
Even though not compared to Taj, the monument has its own beauty and has
been attracting tourist from all around.
 »
Himroo Factory : This factory is situated in the old town near Zaffar
Gate. It produces hand-woven traditional Himroo shawls from cotton, silk
and silver threads. This art, known as Kam Khab, is considered to be a cheaper
alternative to the prized brocades of silk and gold thread. Himroo shawls
and saris are the best buys in Aurangabad. They can be found in many showrooms
around the market area of Aurangabad.
» Aurangabad Caves : Apart from the caves of Ajanta
and Ellora, Aurangabad has its own group of caves 2 km north of the Bibi-ka-Maqbara.
They were carved out of the hillside around the 6th or 7th century AD. The
10 caves are all Buddhist. All the caves in the Western group are called
Viharas.
» Ajanta Caves : Ajanta is barely two hours drive
from Aurangabad. Situated at a distance of 99 km from Aurangabad, Ajanta
Caves dates back to the 2nd century B.C., when first of these caves was
hollowed out from the side of the cliff. Ajanta is a protected monument
under the Archaeological Survey of India and has been included in the World
Heritage list of monuments.
Discovered in the early 19th century by a party of British officers, the
Ajanta caves were a reserved and quiet retreat for Buddhist monastic orders
and yet offered easy access to the trade routes that swung past here to
the coast. With little more than hammer and chisel but with a deep faith
inspiring them, these simple monks excavated chaityas, chapels for prayer
and viharas, monasteries where they lived and tought and carried out ritual
performances.
 The
Boddhisatvas who figure prominently in the Ajanta paintings are celestial
beings, often personifications of the virtues of Buddha, who visit the world
of men. In their range of time and treatment the paintings at Ajanta are
a panorama of life in ancient India and could well the studied for a description
of the culture of those times.
» Ellora Caves : Even more impressive in terms of
architectural splendour are the cave temples of Ellora, about 30 km from
Aurangabad. Here are some 34 caves, carved out in a curve on the slopes
of low hills; 16 of them are Hindu, 13 Buddhist and five of the Jain faith.
And yet no signs of religious hostility disturb the tranquil atmosphere
of Ellora. These rock temples and monasteries were constructed between the
5th and 8th centuries A.D.
Getting There
» By Air : Aurangabad airport is 10 km east of the
city. Both Indian Airlines and Jet Airways have a daily flight to Mumbai
(Bombay).
» By Rail : Aurangabad is not on the main railway
corridor, still a number of trains stop here. There are two direct trains
between Aurangabad and Mumbai. There is a daily train to Hyderabad.
» By Road : Aurangabad is well connected with a metal
road, which is comfortable and suited to all weathers. The distances for
some of the major cities from Aurangabad are Pune (214 km), Nasik (218 km),
Indore (402 km) and Mumbai (403 km).
| If
You have any question about your tour then ask a question. |
|
|
|
