Aurangabad India Tourism
The gateway to the World Heritage Sites of Ajanta and Ellora, Aurangabad
is named after the Mughal emperor, Aurangzeb. Lying along the right bank
of the Kham River, the city is the district headquarters, which offers visitors
all the modern comforts and amenities.There are several luxury and budget
hotels, shopping centres and banks.
In the city, there are three museums housing the art treasures of the region
-- the Sunheri Mahal Museum, the University Museum and the Chhatrapati Shivaji
Museum. You can also while away the hours in the pleasant confines of the
Bani Begum Gardens.
Places to See
Aurangabad Caves
Aurangabad, too, has a group of Caves which are quite beautiful. These Buddhist
Caves were carved out of the hillside in the 6th or 7th century AD.
Bibi ka Maqbara
Built by Azam Shah in 1678, the Bibi ka Maqbara is a son's loving tribute
to his mother, Begum Rabia Durrani, the Queen of Mughal emperor Aurangzeb.
Standing spectacularly on the lawns of the landscaped garden with ponds,
fountains and water channels, the white marbled monument rises majestically
in an intentional bid to copy and rival the world famous Taj Mahal of Agra.
The central tomb, distinguished by elaborate surface ornamentation and intricately
perforated marble screens, is framed by four towering minarets.
Panchakki
An engineering feat of the time is the Panchakki, or the water mill built
by Malik Ambar in 1695. The water, channeled from a spring on a distant
hill was used to power the flour mill and grind grain for the pilgrims.
Darwazas
Most of the monuments in Aurangabad are of the Nizam Shahi, Mughal and Maratha
period. There are four main darwazas, or gates leading into the city, which
along with nine secondary darwazas formed part of the defense systems of
the city.
Aurangabad India Tourism, West India Tourism Reservation Form