Things To Do in Aurangabad

Having a striking resemblance to Taj Mahal, the Bibi ka Maqbara is a beautiful mausoleum of Rabia- Ul - Daurani alias Dilras Banu Begum, the wife of Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb. Bibi ka Maqbara was constructed by Aurangzeb in the year 1661 in the memory of his wife.

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.

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.

A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Grishneshwar Temple located in Ellora is one of the 12 Jyotirlingas in India. Also known as Ghrneshwar or Dhushmeshwar Temple, this Jyotirlinga in Aurangabad is dedicated to Lord Shiva and is considered an important pilgrimage site.

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.

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.

Sprawling over a large area is the well laid out and green landscaped Siddharth Garden enclosing a park as well as zoo together. It is conveniently located at a distance of about 3 kilometers from the Aurangabad railway station.

Every place has a distinct bazaar, so does Aurangabad. Amongst all the famous and well-known ones, Gul Mandi is the largest bazaar in Aurangabad. Trading of the famous Himroo shawls and saree takes place here.

One of the oldest standing mosques of Aurangabad is the Jama Masjid located near the Killa Arrak. Known for its grand Islamic architecture, the Masjid looks magnificent in every way. This is the largest  mosque in Aurangabad, built in the Mughal period which has been restored to its original form.

The city literally is dotted with tombs and mosques and shrines and forts and not to forget caves. Some of these historical places are also UNESCO World Heritage sites and are visited by tourists from all over India and beyond. Boasting of the rich culture and the glorious past, these historical places stand as testimony to the vibrant history of the country.

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.

The food here, has a strong influence of Mughlai and Hyderabadi cuisine. One must try the exquisite Pulao, Biryani, Tahri and Naan Qalia while here. The other popular items of the area are Gavran Chicken, Thalipeeth, Poli and Bajrichi Bhakari.  Bhoj and Yalla Yalla are famous restaurants in the city that you must-try.

Hazur Sahib is a sacred monument that houses one of the five takhts or thrones of temporal authority. Also famous as Abchalnagar and Takht Sachkhand Sri Hazur Sahib, Hazur Sahib is a renowned location for Sikh Pilgrimage. This is where Guru Gobind Singh breathed his last in 1708.

Located in the heart of Aurangabad, standing opposite the Himayat Bagh near Delhi Gate, is the pristine Salim Ali Lake. Also known as the Salim Ali Sarovar, this lake is a beautiful bird-watching spot, nesting a wide variety and number of migratory birds. There is also a well-stocked bird sanctuary at the lake.

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 from the top is simply breathtaking.

Cannaught place or market is developing as a good market for almost everything. It has good multiplex, Prozone Mall, showrooms for cars, gold ornaments SHOWROOMS, market for mobile phones, and almost everything people need in day to day life.

The 12 Buddhist Caves mostly include viharas or monasteries. In these caves, several monasteries have shrines that are carved with paintings and sculptures of Buddha, Bodhisattva and Saints.

Established in the honour of the great Maratha ruler, Shivaji Maharaj, the Chhatrapati Shivaji Museum, located near Nehru Bal Udyan, has a marvellous collection of artefacts belonging to Maratha Empire. The main highlight of the museum is the 500-year-old armour, an equally old traditional Paithani Saree and a copy of the Holy Quran that was written by Aurangzeb.

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.

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.

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.

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.

An elaborate palace with 4 entrances, Killa Arak is famous for housing the throne room of the Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb. The other highlights of this palace built on Aurangzeb's orders are a Nakarkhana for the musicians, the durbar hall and Jumma Masjid.

The Dargah of Pir Ismail, as is evident from the name, was built in the memory of Pir Ismail, a tutor to the then Mughal ruler, Aurangzeb. The regal entrance has a large pointed archway, which forms a sort of portico and is built in an intricate style.

Situated near Zaffar Gate in Aurangabad, Himroo Factory is visited by tourists to experience and understand the ancient process of handweaving and handicrafts of Aurangabad. The 150-year-old factory, apart from promoting one of the oldest weaving traditions, is a place to shop for textile items.

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.

The Ellora Ajanta Festival is an age-old tradition in Aurangabad that focuses on appraising and appreciating the culture as well as the architecture and monuments of the district. The festival lasts for three days and is a vibrant blend of activities that entices individuals to visit and take interest and gives them treasured memories in return.