| The city
of Aurangabad was founded by Malik Ambar, the Prime Minister of Murtaza
Nizam Shah II, in 1610, on the site of a village, Khirki. When Fateh Khan,
Malik Ambar's son succeeded the throne in 1626, he named the city 'Fatehpur'.
In 1653, when Aurangzeb became the Viceroy of the Deccan, he made it his
capital, and renamed it Aurangabad. A region that has been inhabited since
the Stone Ages, Aurangabad has seen several dynasties come and go, absorbing
the culture of each into itself.
Maurya rule heralded
the advent of Buddhism in the state of Maharashtra. The earliest caves
at Ajanta and Pithalkora were excavated in the 2nd century BC, during
the Satvahana era. Paithan, then known as Pratishthana, was an important
trade centre at the time. Buddhism flowered during the Chalukya period,
which consequently saw the mushrooming of many viharas (monasteries),
and chaityas (chapels), that were later excavated at Aurangabad, Ajanta
and Ellora. Later, the Rashtrakutas built many temples, significantly,
the Kailasa temple at Ellora, an unparalleled piece of ancient Indian
architecture.
What
To See
Aurangabad Caves
Just outside the city, lie the Aurangabad caves, excavated between the
2nd and 6th century AD. Tantric influences can be discerned in their
architecture and iconography.There are twelve caves in all, a major
chunk of which are viharas, of which Caves 3 and 7, are the most fascinating.
Cave 3 stands supported by 12 finely carved columns, and sports sculptures
portraying scenes from the Jataka tales. Cave 7 houses an imposing sculpture
of a Boddhisattva, praying for deliverance.
Bibi
- Ka - Maqbara
The Bibi - Ka - Maqbara was built in 1679, by Aurangzeb's son, as a
tribute to his mother Begum Rabia Durani. A replica of the Taj Mahal,
this monument is the only specimen of Mughal architecture of its kind,
in the Deccan plateau.
Pan
Chakki
Dating back to the 17th century, this ingenious watermill, that takes
its name from the mill, which used to grind grain for the pilgrims,
was designed to generate energy via water, brought down from a spring
on a mountain, located nearby. The energy generated was, further, used
to turn the large grinding stones of the flour mill. It was built by
Malik Ambar himself, in 1695. In 1624, a Sufi saint who was much revered
by Aurangzeb was buried here, the gardens and fish tanks serve as his
memorial.
Around
Aurangabad
Daulatabad
Just 13 kms from Aurangabad , standing on a pyramid - shaped hill, is
this impressive fortress, once known as 'Devgiri'. Built in the 12th
century by Bhillama, the king of the Yadav dynasty, it was named Daulatabad,
the city of fortune, by Mohammed Bin Tughlaq, Sultan of Delhi. The Sultan
was so taken with this fortress, that he decided to shift his capital
here. A 5 km massive wall, artificial scarping, spiked gates, dungeons
and a variety of complicated defence systems rendered Daulatabad impregnable.
The 30 metre high Chand Minar, built by the Bahmani rulers is another
famous landmark of the area.
Khuldabad
Khuldabad, or heavenly abode, is a just a few kms away from Daulatabad,
a walled city that is the Karbala town or holy shrine of the Deccan
Muslims. It houses the tomb of Aurangzeb, the last great Mughal emperor.
Before his demise, the emperor himself had the crenellated wall built
around the town, which was at that time, an important centre.
Ghrishneshwar
Temple
Half a kilometre from Ellora (30 kms) lies this beautiful temple, one
of the twelve 'Jyotirlingas' of India, where Lord Shiva is worshipped.
The Ghrishneshwar temple, built by Rani Ahillyabai Holkar, a Maratha
princess, is the most superb example of medieval temple architecture.
Pithalkora
Nestling within the Satmala range of the Sahyadris, 78 kms from Aurangabad
is a group of 13 cave sanctuaries, both chaityas and viharas, that date
back to the 2nd century BC. The intricate work on the sculptured facades
in these caves, is definitely worth a visit.
Paithan
Situated 56 kms south of Aurangabad, is the ancient capital city of
the Satvahanas, Paithan, which is renowned for its Paithani silk saris
with exquisite zari borders. Today, it is also an important excavation
site. Centuries ago, the famous Marathi poet - saint, Eknath lived here.
The Jayakwadi dam here, is a haven for avid nature - lovers, especially
those interested in avianfauna. A variety of resident and migratory
birds can be sighted here. The best season for bird - watching is between
October and March.
Another attraction
of this area is the huge Gyaneshwar Udyan, Maharashtra's largest garden,
built on the lines of the famous Vrindavan Gardens in Mysore, Pinjore
in Haryana and the Shalimar in Kashmir.
Bani
Begum Gardens
About 24 kms from Aurangabad are the elegant Bani Begum Gardens, at
the centre of which is the tomb of Bani Begum, the consort of one of
Aurangzeb's sons. These gardens built in various styles, equipped with
massive domes, fountains and fluted pillars, are a fine specimen of
the architecture of the time.
How
To Get There
By air: The Aurangabad
airport is 10 kms from the city, and links the city directly to Delhi,
Jaipur, Udaipur and Mumbai.
By
rail: By rail Aurangabad is directly linked to Pune and Mumbai. Jalgaon,
a railhead on the Central Railway line, is only 59 kms from Ajanta (30
kms).
By
road: State Transport buses run from Mumbai, Pune, Ahmednagar, Jalgaon,
Shirdi, Nasik and Dhule to Aurangabad, and from Aurangabad to Jalgaon.
Maharashtra Tourist Development Corporation (M T D C) operates a bus
service, and conducts luxury - coach - tours from Mumbai to Aurangabad.
Where
To Stay
The
M T D C Holiday Resort near the Aurangabad railway station, the Ajanta
Travellers Lodge at the Ajanta Caves, and the M T D C Holiday Resort
at Fardapur (4 kms from Ajanta), M T D C resorts at Ellora and Jayakwadi
(Paithan), apart from regular hotels at Mumbai, Pune, Nasik and other
nearby areas, are available for accomodation.
Contact
Govt. of India
Tourist Office,
Krishna Vilas, Station Road, Aurangabad - 431005,
Maharashtra. Tel: 81217
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