Places to Visit near Aurangabad

Located on the outskirts of Aurangabad, Goga Baba Hill is a tranquil location apt for a quick getaway. A favourite amongst trekkers, the climb to the top of the hill is fairly easy, requiring half an hour. The panoramic view of the entire city (especially Hanuman Tekdi, Aurangabad Caves, Devgiri Fort and Bibi ka Maqbara) from the top of Goga Hill is simply breathtaking, with an even gorgeous view of the sunset.

Distance from Aurangabad: 8 km

Aurangabad Caves are twelve rock-cut Buddhist shrines, located around 20km north-west of Aurangabad. These caves date back to the 6th and 8th century and should not be confused with the Ajanta and Ellora Caves which also located close to Aurangabad. Carved out of Soft Basalt Rock, these are considered as one of the most spectacular caves in India. Bibi Ka Maqabra and Soneri Mahal are located quite close to the Aurangabad Caves, and they can be covered on the same day.

Distance from Aurangabad: 10 km

Located 15 km away from the main city of Aurangabad, Daulatabad Fort is an ancient fortification that rises formidably from the midst of verdant greenery. Often hailed as one of the 'seven wonders of Maharashtra', this architectural marvel is believed to have been built in the 12th century. Also known as Devgiri fort, perhaps the most enchanting qualities is its location, from the zenith of which you can capture a mesmerising view of the entire city.

Distance from Aurangabad: 19 km

Situated on the National Highway Daulatabad - Ellora Road in Aurangabad, H2O Water Park is a power-packed amusement water park in the city. With a plethora of slides and rides designed for both adults and kids, the park also has separate swimming pools depending on the height of the guests. You can also tap your feet to amazing Bollywood music played by some of the best DJs in the area. It also has several food stalls and counters serving delicious snacks and beverages.

Khuldabad is a small town located around 13 km from Aurangabad and 3 km from the world heritage site of Ajanta and Ellora Caves. Formerly known as 'Rauzaa', which means the garden of paradise, Khuldabad is popular as the "Valley of Saints", because the city was resided by several Sufi saints in the 14th century. This holy city is home to several important historic monuments like Aurangzeb's Tomb, Dargah of Zar Zari Zar Baksh, Shaikh Burhan ud-din Gharib Chisti and Shaikh Zain-ud-din Shirazi.

Distance from Aurangabad: 33 km

At a distance of 24km from Aurangabad is the astonishingly beautiful Bani Begum Garden with fountains, fluted pillars & massive domes. Bani Begum Garden is a rather lush green site celebrating Mughal architecture and owes its name to Aurangzeb's son's wife, Bani Begum.

Distance from Aurangabad: 26 km

Situated in Khuldabad village, about 25 kilometres away from Aurangabad lies the Tomb of Aurangzeb, the grave of the sixth and the last Mughal Emperor, Muhi-ud-Din Muhammad, famously known as Aurangzeb. Unlike several grand tombs built in the memory of Mughal Emperors, the Aurangzeb Tomb is an unmarked grave at the Dargah of his spiritual guru, Sheikh Zainuddin. It is said that it was Aurangzeb's wish to be buried near the dargah. This is a quaint historical site which is visited by people who are keen to explore the history of the grave.

Distance from Aurangabad: 26 km

The Bhadra Maruti Temple, located in Khuldabad near Aurangabad, is dedicated to the Hindu deity Lord Hanuman. This is one of the only three temples in India where the idol of the presiding deity, Lord Hanuman, is seen in the Bhav Samadhi or the sleeping posture, the other two being at Allahabad and Madhya Pradesh. Situated just 4 kms from the renowned Ellora Caves, Bhadra Maruti is thronged by devotees, especially on Saturdays during the months of "Sharavan" according to the Marathi calendar.

Distance from Aurangabad: 28 km

Another World Heritage Site that the town boasts of, are the Ellora caves, that one must not miss while in Aurangabad. The sculptures here, represent elements of three religions and do so grandly and beautifully.

Distance from Aurangabad: 28 km

About 37 kilometres away from the city of Aurangabad in Maharashtra, Mhaismal is a beautiful, unexplored hill station tucked amidst the Sahyadri Ranges at an altitude of over 106 metres above the sea level. Also titled as the 'Mahabaleshwar of Marathwada', Mhaismal is a perfect blend of the undefiled nature and the breathtaking terrains.

Distance from Aurangabad: 16 km

One of the largest irrigation projects in Maharashtra, Jayakwadi Dam is a multipurpose project which aims to irrigate drought-prone Marathwada Region and also to provide water for drinking and industrial usage. Built across Godavari River, its height is approximately 41.30 m and length of 9,998 metres with a total storage capacity 2,909 MCM. Jayakwadi Bird Sanctuary and Dnyaneshwar Dam in the surrounding area make the dam a perfect site to escape the chaos of city life and reminisce the serenity.

Distance from Aurangabad: 52 km

Shani Shignapur Temple is a Jeet Devasthan (alive temple) in Ahmednagar district, well-known for the magical and powerful Lord Shani, who is believed to reside in a black stone till date. The Hindu God symbolising the planet Saturn is referred to as Swayambhu, which means that he has emerged himself in the form of the black stone that scores lakhs of devotees every year. The trust of people in the lord is so strong that none of the houses in the wondrous village has doors and locks as people believe that Lord Shani is protecting their valuables from thieves.

Distance from Aurangabad: 81 km

One of the earliest caves in Maharashtra, Pitalkhora Caves are located in Chandora hills, near Bharmarwadi village, Aurangabad district. This 3rd-Century rock-cut Buddhist cave complex is the largest group of monuments belonging to the Satavahana Dynasty. Also known as Brazen Glen, the caves are made up of fourteen rock-cut structures which have fine architectural styles and paintings. Out of these fourteen monuments, four are chaityas and the rest are viharas.

Distance from Aurangabad: 78 km

A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Grishneshwara Temple is known as one of the 12 sacred Jyotirlingas. Grishneshwar Temple is a 13th Century Shiva Temple located in Ellora. It has been mentioned in the Shiva Purana, which forms an integral part of the Shaivism Literature, as the 12th place of worship in the country. The original temple was a prehistoric monument which was later destroyed by the Mughals. What is seen now is a structure which was rebuilt twice after the Mughals were defeated.

Distance from Aurangabad: 30 km

Located around 99 km from the town of Aurangabad, lie the Ajanta Caves now included in the list of UNESCO World heritage Sites. Ajanta caves depict the Buddhist culture and their stories through various sculptures and paintings. It also takes you to the world of Jatakas.

Distance from Aurangabad: 96 km

The Shri Sai Baba Sansthan Temple is a religious place in Shirdi, Maharashtra in India, that is dedicated to Shri Sai Baba, who is considered to be one of the greatest saints to have been born in India. Sai Baba is believed to have been blessed with unprecedented powers, and he is worshipped as God incarnate in the Shri Sai Baba Sansthan Temple. This is a must visit holy place for all devotees of Sai Baba who wish to experience what pure tranquillity and bliss feel like, and be closer to the God for a while.

Distance from Aurangabad: 125 km

Lonar lake is an extremely beautiful place while Lonar crater is the world's only salt water lake in basaltic rock, believed to have been caused by a meteorite hitting Earth around 52,000 years ago. It is one of the oldest temples that can be found in South India that is built in the Dravidian style. It has lately increased in popularity because it is now listed as one of the world heritage sites of the UNESCO.

Distance from Aurangabad: 139 km

Gautala Wildlife Sanctuary, also known as Gautala Autramghat Sanctuary and Gautala Abhayarana Sanctuary is a protected wildlife reserve in the village of Gautala in Maharashtra. Precisely located between the Satmala and Ajantha Hills in the Western Ghats, the sanctuary was founded in 1986 to protect the wildlife. Boasting of dense green deciduous forests spread over the hilly terrain.