A URANGABAD A Gateway to History A Aurangabad Caves Ellora Caves Harsul Lake URANGABAD PAHADSINGHPURA Khuldabad Jaisingh’s Chhatri AURANGABAD CITY Pir Ismail Mausoleum Soneri Mahal ta Daulatabad State Archaelogical Museum University Museum Ajan Take a journey through history when you To A HUDCO visit Aurangabad. Take a leisurely stroll Bibi-ka-Maqbara Dr. Salim Ali Lake through the city of 52 gates, which offers Pahadsinghpura Himayat Bagh Majnu Hill Dilli Darwaza glimpses of majestic domes, minarets, Commissioner’s Oce FATEHSINGHPURA Himayat Bagh Collector’s Oce chhatris and shikharas. Experience awe as Rangeen JAISINGHPURA Quil-e-Ark Damadi Mahal Makkai Darwaza Darwaza Kala Darwaza Naubat Darwaza you travel to the surrounding ancient cities Jama Masjid of Daulatabad and Paithan. And reverence Muhammad Darwaza Chita Khana JASVANTPURA Panchakki Ghati Road Head Post Oce Roshan Gate Qutubpura Bhadkal Darwaza City Chowk Navkhanda at the age-old carved cave temple Shahgarj Mosque Sansthan Ganpati complexes of Ajanta and Ellora. Khadakeshwar Gulmandi Barapulla Darwaza Mill Corner r ilak Road Today, this erstwhile seat of architecture, Cantonment ve T Paithan Gate CIDCO ST Bus Stand Samarthnagar Nirala Bazar culture and learning has grown into a KhamSiddhar Ri th Garden Varad Ganesh Mandir To Ellora, Daulatabad & Municipal Corporation bustling modern city and an important To Mumbai & Library Pi To J Pun talkh alna e ora industrial centre. Known as the ‘Tourism Karnapura Kesarsinghpur Devi Temple Kranti Chowk Capital of Maharashtra’, Aurangabad attracts Gajanan Maharaj Mandir tourists from across the globe, attracted Kokanwadi Road ion Osmanpura Bansilal Nagar way Stat by the heritage and charm of an old world Rail ITDC carved in stone. To Manma d Railway Station MIDC CIDCO Railway Statio n aithan AIRPORT Shahanoorwadi To P Shahanoor Miya Darga To Hyderaba d Being a gateway for Northern invaders into the treasure-filled Aurangabad is a treasure trove kingdoms of Central India, Aurangabad has been occupied of local arts and textiles. Browse by dynasties ranging from the Satavahanas, Vakatakas and through the markets and find elegant Yadavas to the Nizamshahis and Mughals. Himroo shawls made from cotton and When the area was known as Khadki, Sultan Mohammed silk and luxurious Kimkhab fabric. Or the bin Tughlaq, enamoured by the riches of the old city of most reputed and treasured Paithani sari, Devgiri, rechristened it considered an heirloom by most. Created Daulatabad and moved using a style of weaving, which has flourished his entire capital from ever since 200 BC, a Paithani sari is entirely woven by hand, Delhi to Daulatabad in using threads of pure silk, gold and silver and depicts motifs of the 14th Century. In 1490, Maharashtrian thali birds, flowers, leaves in a rich and bold colour palette. when the city became Aurangabad is also well-known for its unique Bidriware. It part of the Nizamshahi involves gold and silver inlay-work on Bidri - an alloy of zinc state, Malik Amber, the A gastronomical delight, the cuisine of Aurangabad is and copper. Traditional Bidri items include plates, bowls, Nizam’s Prime Minister, influenced by Mughlai, Hyderabadi and Maratha traditions, as vases, ashtrays, trinket boxes, hookah bases and jewellery. shifted his base here and well as lingering influences of the Silk Route. Today, Bidriware also finds expression in modern cufflinks, the city flourished. When nameplates and more. Aurangzeb arrived, Unlike Mughlai cuisine, which is slow-cooked and rich, the Paithani sarees he named the town complexity of Hyderabadi cuisine is heightened by the Emperor Aurangzeb Aurangabad and made it additional use of South Indian ingredients like curry leaves, his military base. He also mustard seeds and different kinds of chillies. built many of the city’s fortifications and gates, some of which, still stand strong today. Must Try: Kebabs, taheri, haleem (crushed wheat cooked with mutton), pulao and biryani and Naan Khaliya (tender mutton slow-cooked in a variety of spices, eaten with Naan). Being a simple and sumptuous affair, Maratha cuisine focuses As you discover more about this glorious city, you’ll find on preparations using fiery yet flavourful spices, especially its Poetry & Folk Culture Aurangabad’s culture to be as riveting as its history. With the ‘kaala masala’. Its authenticity lies in using a combination of Sufi and Bhakti traditions in this multi-religious destination influence of its former rulers reflected in its language, cuisine, several spices, coconut and sesame, ground together in the have strongly influenced its poetry. Aurangabad is the poetry, music, textiles and handicrafts, this charming city right proportions. captivates visitors with a myriad of experiences. birthplace of Wali - the father of modern Urdu poetry Must try: Traditional Maratha favourites like gavran kombdi and Siraj - Sufi poet extraordinaire. Ellora partially inspired (spicy chicken curry), bhakri (millet flatbread), pitla (gram the 13th Century ode, Sangita-Ratnakara and Paithan is the flour porridge), thalipeeth (savoury multi-grain pancake), resting place of the Bhakti poet-saint Eknath, whose work has impacted the lives of the common man. Marathi and Urdu are the primary spoken languages. The thecha (chutney) and mande gosht (curried lamb made latter is spoken in the Dakhni-Hyderabadi Urdu dialect. with Aurangabad’s famous ‘chapta chili’ eaten with a special A visit to Aurangabad is incomplete without discovering its large roti flavoured with milk and cumin). Also try popular folk culture. Spend a delightful evening at Kalagram listening Maharashtrian snacks like, sabudana wada, wada pav to songs and melodies inspired by local daily routines. Be and moong bhajiyas and traditional sweetmeats like imarti entertained by folk dancers performing popular favourites and petha. such as Lezim and Tamasha. EXCAVATED HERITAGE Aerial view of Anjanta caves The Ajanta Cave Complex Located 120kms from Aurangabad In a lush green, horseshoe-shaped ravine, overlooking the graceful curves of the Vaghora river, stands an ancient cave complex. Hand-hewn into the sides of this ravine by Buddhist monks, priests and artists over generations, Ajanta is an abode of tranquillity. The cave complex is a must see from Ajanta viewpoint. In the monsoon especially, watch a wall of water drop over the rim in a series of seven steps into a pool far below – the Saptakund. Reclining Buddha, Ajanta Designed to be the monsoon retreat of erstwhile Buddhist monks, the 29 Ajanta Caves date back to the 2nd Century BC. The caves are famous for their wall paintings, inspired significantly by the Jataka Tales, which trace the life and previous lives of the Buddha until he attained Nirvana. Along with the divine sculptures, these are the oldest surviving example of classical Indian art and are a reflection of the times. No surprise then that the Ajanta Cave Complex was one of the first in the world to be proclaimed a ‘World Heritage Site’ by UNESCO in 1983. Cave Numbers 1, 2, 7, 9, 10,16,17,19 and 26 are a must-see. ViewPoint Gauthala Wildlife Sanctuary Before you proceed towards Ajanta you should make it a point to visit the Ajanta’s viewpoint (a detour of 16 kms), which offers a panoramic view and a prelude to the caves. FACT FILE Timings 9am to 5:30pm (Closed every Monday) • Footwear, flash photography, eating and drinking are forbidden within the caves. • Carry water, headgear, torches, binoculars and sun screen lotion. • There is now a sprawling Ajanta tourist centre that houses five museum halls with actual replicas of the caves, amphitheatres, auditoriums, shops, restaurants and plenty of other amenities. Pitalkhora Caves Cave 16 It has well preserved paintings from the life of Buddha. Cave 10 The Anwa Temple Its distinctive window Located 20kms south of Ajanta was first spottd by Capt. Contemplate life in the tranquil surrounds of the Anwa John Smith Temple. The temple’s stepped profile gives it a splendid, three dimensional façade. The gathering hall boasts a beautifully Cave 17 This cave preserves the carved lotus on the ceiling and 50 heavily decorated columns. greatest number of wall paintings 10 Cave 9 Niches with exquisite sculptures of Vishnu, interior doorways 12 17 16 15 It is one of the oldest embellished with rows of Vaishnava divinities and columns 19 caves. The artisans 11 managed to give a jewel line with celestial dancers make it the region’s best surviving box look to the facade. 29 20 Parking example of a Chalukya temple. 9 8 Cave 2 7 This cave is remarkable 21 for its painted ceiling with intricate scrollwork and 22 6 geometric patterns. THE PItaLKHORA CAVES 23 Located 65kms from Aurangabad Explore the jagged ravines of the Indhyadri Mountains, within 4 24 which, lie the ancient Buddhist caves of Pitalkhora. Dating all the way back to the 2nd Century BC, these once-exquisite 25 3 rock-cut monastic caves served as viharas or monasteries for 26 Buddhist monks. Belonging to the Hinayana and Mahayana 27 1 Periods of Buddhism, the Pitalkhora Caves contain paintings 28 of rare winged animals and large sculptures of yakshas Cave 26 (nature spirits). Paintings of The Buddha can be seen in the The 7-foot reclining Cave 1 image of Buddha is caves belonging to the Mahayana Period. One of the finest monastries spectacular with a rich collection of images of Buddha and Bodhisattvas. GAUTHALA - WILDLIFE SANctUARY Located 65kms from Aurangabad The Autramghat Wildlife Sanctuary is spread over 260 sq River Vaghora kms of evergreen Gautal forest. Wildlife enthusiasts can spot leopards, barking deer, sloth bears, foxes, neelgai and wolves. Over 225 species of resident and migratory birds, such as cranes, spoonbills, storks, ibis, quails, jungle fowl and Saptakunda partridges also make it a delight for avid birdwatchers. A beautiful natural waterfall that falls down a Within this sanctuary, you can also visit the Antur Fort and the series of seven steps to form a pool below Ajanta nearby Patnadevi and Mahadeva temples.