“Potential for tourism development in Aurangabad District” Dr. Tathe S.V. Department of Geography Introduction of the project: Aurangabad is an important district in the Marathwada region of the state of Maharashtra. Aurangabad city is the bench of the Bombay High court while the world famous Ajanta-Verul cave, Bibi-ka- maqbara and DaulatabadDevgiri fort are in this district. Aurangabad district is the only district in India with three worid renowned heritage vastu (AjintaandVerul caves). Paithan is famous for its historic city paithanisarees. Aurangabad district have many tourist centre i.e. Ajinta, Ellora, Daulatabad, Makbara, Maismal, Jaykwadi, Nath garden etc. Therefore, “Potential for tourism development in Aurangabad district” this topic is selected considering the pontential important of tourism in Aurangabad district. Objectives of the project: Some of the aspects hypothesis proposed to be tested to fulfill the following objectives are. 1) The location of tourist places are tending to be sited to the source of roads transportation water supply, lodging and boarding shopping centers etc. 2) Isolated and small tourist places provide merge and limited tourist facilities where the tourist spend few hours or their total journey time. 3) Transport facilities provided approach to well developed places in the district. 4) The correlation-ship between the services and development of tourist centres analysis. 5) To test of tourist between the religions wise total population and visiting population in Aurangabad District. 6) The classify the tourists centers from these characteristics. Conclusion: The district of Aurangabad now a part of the Maharashtra state is situated in upper Godawari basin and in the extreme north , west of Marathwada. The districts forms 3.28% of the total area of the state, total geographical area is 10100 Sq. kms out of 141.1 sqkms is urban area & 99587 sqkms is rural area. Aurangabad district spread over nine tahsils, eight town and 1344 villages. The Jayakwadi dam here is a haven for avid nature lovers. Situated at the bank of a Godawari River is a very huge dam “Jayakwadi” which provides water to Aurangabad city and surrounding places. A variety of resident & migratory birds can be sighted here. The best season for bird watching is between October & March. The Gautala sanctuary is spread over 260 km and over two hundred species of birds. There are a variety of wild animals like leopards, deer, wolves, Jackals etc. The diversified vegetation scattered intermittently supports rich faunal & floral diversity. Mhaismal is a small but beautiful hill station situated on the way to Ellora caves. Girijadevi festival is celebrated every year in the month of March. The number of tourist visit here at evening to take the beauty of the spot. This place is known for its ‘Sunset Point’ The town of Paithan is situated on the banks of the Godawaririver at a distance 56 kms. South of Aurangabad. This ancient town factures in sacred Hindu Literature under the name ‘Pratisthan’ a sanskrit word signifying ‘The celestial abode of the Gods.’ Grushneshwar temple is situated in the village of Verul. The temple is dedicated to lord Shiva and is the abode of one of the twelve Jyotirlinga shrines, considered as one of the most sacred places of warship. Khultabad is also famous and one of the important religious places of muslims “Urs”. Annually held in Khultabad pilgrims arrive from all over the country and abroad to the holy relics & sites. For its massage of tolerance Sufism has long been fashionable outside the Muslim world as well. The famous BhadraMaroti temple is situated in the northern part of the town. The good old temple has been constructed and renovated in the artistic manner. During the Shaniamavasya and Hanuman Jayanti a festival is celebrated. Aurangabad is a cultural & sport tourist centre. During the month of November when a splendid dance & music festival is held in Aurangabad. This annual festival show case a mix of classical and vibrant folk dances with foot tapping beats and colorful costumes. The festival is organized by the Aurangabad festival committee in association with Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation. History museum, HaribhauJagtap museum, ChatrapatiShivajiMuseum, state archaeological museum, Purewar museum & Ajanta art Gallery art situated in Aurangabad city. These places are attraction of tourist. Paithani sari is famous of the region.Paithani is gold, silk sari in the renal of paithani weaving the production is oriented towards export requirements. Two miles west of the city of Aurangabad& seven hundred feet high the Aurangabad caves are situated in the Sahyadri range of the western Ghats of Maharashtra. There are nine cavers in all carved into mountain side Deccan trap scarp which is a basaltic lava covering on original granite and genesis bases. At Ajanta religious, fused architecture sculpture & painting into a unity and produce one of the great monuments of Buddhist art. At the distance of only 29 km. in the opposite direction. Very close to the city of Aurangabad are 34 world heritage Ellora caves. The caves date from about 6th century and 10 th century. A.D. There are 12 Buddhist caves 17 Hindus caves & 5 th Jains caves. The first Englishman to see Ellora was Colonel John Seely of the Bombay native infantry in 1810.At that time the cave were inhabited by beggars. He managed to chase them away and he lived in one of the caves. Dr. Percy Brown observes the temple of Kailasa at Ellora in not only the most stupendous single work of art executed in India. But as an example of rock architecture it is unrivalled. Kailas is a combination of the southern of the northern styles. It has strong Dravidian Compton with ‘’Gopuram’ ‘Nandi’Mandupa’ the Vimana& surrounding cloisters. The Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation (M.T.D.C) has successfully implemented first phase of Ajanta, Ellora conservation & Tourism Development project for Ajanta &Ellora and second phase is being started soon. Which will improve tourism infrastructure develop areas on a selective basis for integrated growth, along with the marketing of destinations. Daulatabad or the city of fortune is a famous & formidable will fort very close to the Ellora. It is situated 9 mails north west of Aurangabad. It is famous as the old Hindu capital of Devgiri& it was the god ways to the city. Devgiri was the capital of the Raja of the Yadava Dynasty. During the rule of QutbuddinKhilji the JamaMasjit was build in Daulatabad. On the opposite side to Jama Masjid is Chand Minar built in 1435.This is an elegant “Pillar of Victory” consisting of four well balanced circular stores. The tomb of Begum RabiaDurani (wife of Emperor Aurangzeb) was built by her son prince Azam Shah in 1678 as a tribute to his beloved ‘Bibi’ meaning mother. Designed by the architect, Ata Aula, The mausoleum stands beyond on area known as Begampura. BibikaMaqbara is visible for miles from along distance on the road between Dultabad& Aurangabad. BibikaMaqbara though inspired by the TajMahal is half its size and a pale imitation of the greatest monument to Love. There are 52 gates in Aurangabad city. The main gates were facing the four directions. Delhi gate in the north, Paithan Gate to the south, Mecca or Makai Gate to the East and Jalna or khas Gate to the west. All the gates were built of lime stone and even bricks. According to available sources the number of foreign visitor is not increased during 2001.2003, But it is increased since 2004. The number of foreign tourist is increased on 2007 to 2019 at Ajanta caves, Ellora caves and BibikaMaqbara. According to year 1998 to 2018 available sources, the number of Indian tourist at Ajanta caves are seen, in 1998 year 276323 Indian tourist visited at Ajanta caves. The period of 2000 to 2001 to 2016 to 2017 above 19 lakh Indian tourist and 1.62 lakh foreign tourist visited Ajanta caves and above 28 lakh Indian tourist a 90 thousand foreign tourist visited Ellora caves there fore it is world famous first grade tourist center in Aurangabad district. Tourist visited BibikaMaqbara India – 36 .10 lakh and foreign 63 thousand, Daulatabad fort Indian 22.47 lakh and Foreign 39 thousand, Aurangabad laves Indian 1.74 lakh and foreign 12 thousand tourist visited in the period of 200-01 to 2006-07 these are the second grade tourist center in Aurangabad district. In 1960-61 the medical facilities is not sufficient .Today, Now 2017 In Aurangabad city there are 157 Hospital are giving medical facilities to the people. They are super specialty hospital. According to economic status the hospital will provide the service. All tourist center have a good medical facilities are available. Many luxury buses are special for Ajanta and Ellora. Semi luxury and private buses are running to tourist centers in Aurangabad district. Many private Taxis are available to every tourist center. The Key mantra of Indian hospitality and tourism is ‘Atithi’ devoBhavah or ‘Guests are God’ No matter which category of hotel is selected, six luxury category and five star hotels in Aurangabad city. These are Taj residency, Ajanta Ambassador, Rama International Hotel, HotelPresidentPark, Hotel Gymkhana Club and Hotel Meadows. The Economy class is the third category it means three stars to two stars Hotel. The number of Budget Affordable Hotel in tourist center and Aurangabad city these are hotel Riviera Executives, Hotel Classic Aurangabad, Hotel Atithi , Hotel Raviraj, Hotel Windsor castle. In Aurangabad sports club. It is a perfect destinations far business trips or leisure stay. The games and sports facilities are wonderful. The club arranges sightseeing excursion tours to all famous historical and pilgrimage centers Including Ajanta, Ellora. Army Golf club in Aurangabadmilitary station houses sarvatra Ecological Park on Training Area or SEPTA beside several other training facilities, the park also has a nine hole golf course.