Aurangabad – the tourism capital of Maharashtra

Aurangabad is one of the most popular places to visit in India. It is the tourism capital of Maharashtra and home to tourist attractions like Ajanta Caves, Ellora Caves, Ghrishneshwar Temple, Bibi Ka Maqbara, Khuldabad, Devgiri Fort, etc. Visit the city on your next holiday and spend the vacation exploring enchanting attractions of the city.

Aurangabad is an old city that headquarters the eponymous district in the state of Maharashtra. Largely popular as the gateway to the world-famous Ajanta Caves, the city is one of India’s best places to visit. It is named after the Mughal emperor Aurangzeb, who not only ruled the city but also made it his capital. As the place remained mostly under the reign of different Muslim rulers of different dynasties through the course of time, it is highly influenced by their culture and traditions. Amongst the prominent rulers of the place, some include: Murtaza Nizams, Mughals rulers, Nizams of Hyderabad, and finally the British. The influence of the past rulers can be easily felt as you approach the city, whether be it in the culinary food that is very similar to the Mughlai or Hyderabadi cuisine, the rich Urdu literature, or the multiple old monuments that exhibit the best of medieval Islamic architecture in India.

Bestowed with a mass of archaeologically and historically significant monuments, a great culture, and serenity with lush splendid nature the place is today considered as the tourism capital of Maharashtra. It is one of the most tourist-busy places in the state, attracting backpackers, history buffs, and nature enthusiasts from different corners of the nation as well as the world. The good thing is that, to effectively accommodate every single traveler, there are several high quality hotels and other lodging options along with some of the best 5 Star hotels in the country. The best time to visit the city is in winter – October to February. It is the time duration when the weather is the most temperate and favorable for tourism.

If you are in the city, given below are some major tourist attractions that you should visit if you seek a memorable holiday:

Ajanta and Ellora Caves

The caves groups are two of the most popular tourist spots in the region. They are a few hours drive away from the city centre with frequent taxis and buses going towards them. Both cave groups have been declared as UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Both of them are large open-air exhibits and the finest examples of ancient cave temple architecture. There are different carvings, paintings, and sculptures representing three religions, viz, Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism. If you are a history buff, the caves are a must-visit!

Bibi Ka Maqbara

It is a tomb built by Emperor Aurangzeb for his beloved wife after she passed away. Built taking Taj Mahal as the reference, the maqbara is an excellent exhibit of Persian architecture. Onlooker cannot stop themselves from getting stunned by its beauty, and those who seek tranquility, the place is simply the ideal spot to be at.

Ghrishneshwar Temple

It is located in close proximity to the Ellora Caves and counts amongst the most prominent monuments in the region. It is an 18th century temple and dedicated to Lord Shiva. There are different sculptures in different poses, intricate carvings, and several other elements ornamenting the temple. Note that some portion of the temple was destroyed by Aurangzeb, so the present structure that stands is not complete.
Simply visit the city on your next vacation; filled with multiple attractions that exist only in the city and nowhere else, the place ensures of a memorable vacation. Besides, if you have some leisure time Hyderabad is a good destination to visit. Simply, board on a Aurangabad to Hyderabad train and get going to a yet another old Indian city, full of heritage sites.