Visiting Us & Aurangabad
Aurangabad
Aurangabad : (meaning "Built by the Throne", named after Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb) is a city in Maharashtra, India. The city is a tourist hub, surrounded with many historical monuments including the Ajanta and Ellora World heritage sites, and is the administrative headquarters of the Aurangabad Division, or Marathwada region. Aurangabad is said to be a 'City of Gates' as one can not miss the strong presence of these as one drives through the city.
History
There was a village named Khadki where the city stands today. According to some historians, the city was founded in 1610 by Malik Ambar, the Prime Minister of Murtaza Nizam Shah II of Ahmednagar, the then ruler of the Deccan (central parts of Southern India). It is widely believed that city took shape between 1604 and 1610 under Ambar's rule. Initially, it was named Fatehpura (city of Victory), probably after Ambar's son Fateh Khan.
In 1634, Aurangzeb was sent to Khadki as Governor of the Deccan. In 1644, he moved to Agra to play an active role in Mughal politics. In 1681, the city again became the residence of Aurangzeb, who had now become the Mughal Emperor. He used the city as a base for his campaigns to conquer the last remaining Deccan sultanates until his death in 1707. The modern name of the city was probably taken during his period. Aurangzeb's tomb is situated at Khultabad, a small town near the city which is also known as Saints valley. Important places in and around Aurangabad include Bibi Ka Maqbara (a replica of the Taj Mahal), the Ellora, Aurangabad and Ajanta caves, the Ghrishneshwar Shiva temple and the Daulatabad fort.
Geography
The location co-ordinates for Aurangabad are N 19° 53' 47" - E 75° 23' 54". The city is surrounded by hills on all sides.
Climate
Aurangabad city is situated in Maharashtra, at an altitude of approximately 513 meters above the sea level. The exact location of the city is 19° 53' 47" North and 75° 23' 54" East. Surrounded by hills on all the four sides, it boasts of mesmerizing scenery. Aurangabad is visited by a large number of tourists every year, who come here to explore its architectural as well as natural beauty. Before going anywhere, people usually collect information on the weather & climate of the place, as it helps in planning the trip at the most appropriate time.
The city experiences a moderate climate throughout the year, where neither the summers are scorching hot and nor the winters are freezing cold. Infact, there is never too big a difference between the summer and winter temperatures of the city. Just like the other cities of India, it also experiences three main seasons - summers, winters and monsoons. The summers here last for three to four months i.e. from mid March to mid July. During this time, the average temperature reaches the maximum level of 40 deg C.
Transport
Intra City Transport
"Aurangabad Municipal Transport" (AMT) is an intra-city bus service which covers almost all parts of the city and also connects to the more distant industrial suburbs.
The "Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation" (MSRTC) and numerous other private bus operators provide a bus service to all parts of the state.
Metered auto rickshaws ply throughout the city. The fare is based on a meter and is computed by a tariff card available from the driver.
Air
Chikalthana airport is Aurangabad's domestic airport. The nearest international airports are Mumbai and Pune. Construction is currently taking place at Chikalthana to make it an international airport.
Rail
Aurangabad(AWB) is a railway station on the Nanded Division of South-Central railway (Manmad - Kachiguda section), with direct rail links to New Delhi, Mumbai, Pune and Hyderabad.
The "Janashatabdi Express" is the fastest and most comfortable train option to and from Mumbai with a total traveling time of 6 1/2 hours. Three overnight trains and two daytime trains also travel between Mumbai and Aurangabad.
Bibi Ka Maqbara
Is a magnificent mausoleum, situated at a distance of approximately 5 km from the Aurangabad city of India. It entombs Rabia-ul-Daurani, alias Dilras Banu Begum, the wife of the Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb.
The construction work on the mausoleum was started in the year 1651 and it took approximately 10 years to complete it. Prince Azam Shah, the son of Aurangzeb, got the tomb built in the memory of his mother. The main entrance door of Bibi ka Makbara is adorned with an inscription.
Panchakki
Panchakki otherwise known as the water mill was built during the early years of the 17th century. The mill used to grind grains for the pilgrims. It was so designed that it generated energy through water which was brought from a spring on a mountain.
These pipes are lined up at particular distances. To allow the water to flow through the pumps masonary pillars are erected. Water through the pipes flows with a force and it rises to a huge raised masonary pillar and from there it falls to make an attractive water fall.
The entry fee is Rs 5 for Indians and Rs 100 for Foreigners and the time is from sunrise to sunset.
Ajanta Caves
is world's greatest historical monument recognised by UNESCO far near from Jalgaon city of Maharashtra, India. There are 30 caves in Ajanta of which 9, 10, 19, 26 and 29 are chaitya-grihas and the rest are monasteries. These caves were discovered in AD 1819 and were built up in the earlier 2nd century BC-AD. Most of the paintings in Ajanta are right from 2nd century BC-AD and some of them about the fifth century AD and continued for the next two centuries. All paintings shows heavy religious influence and centre around Buddha, Bodhisattvas, incidents from the life of Buddha and the Jatakas. The paintings are executed on a ground of mud-plaster in the tempera technique.
Daulatabad
Daulatabad village, Maharashtra state, W central India. Its 13th-century fortress is built atop a conical rock c.500 ft (150 m) high. The Chand Minar (1294), a minaret of Turkish style, is an outstanding example of Islamic art.
Daulatabad was established as capital by the Delhi sultanate in 1327. Its importance declined in the 17th cent., when Mughals moved the capital to Aurangabad. In ancient times the village was called Deogiri.
Soneri Mahal (Golden Palace)
Bundelkhand chief who accompanied Aurangzeb into the Deccan erected the Soneri Mahal in the University Campus. It is now in the ruinous condition. It is said to have derived its name from the painting of gold, which at one time decorated it.
Jaikwadi Dam
It is about 50 km from Aurangabad, built on river Godavari and about 110 km from Ahmednagar. Its area is 1300 km². It supplies water to Aurangabad City and generates power.The power station is at the foot of dam and is generating 12 MW power with reversible type generator. The generator is from Japan, FUJI company.
Ellora Caves
Ellora Caves are renowned throughout the globe for their excellent artwork and prehistoric temple. Portraying the rich tradition of India, Ellora Cave Temples have been declared as the World Heritage Site. Located in Aurangabad district, Ellora Caves can be reached by taking regular tourist buses or by hiring taxis from anywhere in Maharashtra. The nearest airport is sited at Aurangabad that is hardly 18 kms from Ellora caves.
Reminiscent of the cave temples of Ajanta, these are too excavated out of the solid rock. In total, there are 34 cave temples that are divided into three groups, Buddhist, Hindu and Jain respectively. These three groups can be further termed as three periods, which sustained from 200 - 600 AD (Buddhism) to 500 - 900 AD (Hindu) and finally 800 - 1000 AD (Jain). Every year, Ellora festival of classical dance and music is organized at these caves by MTDC.
Positioned in the lap of the Chamadari Hills, the temples appear as a lop-sided ridge of rock budding vertically from the ground. Ellora Caves celebrate the three faiths of Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism. The exotic sculptures and intricate carvings of these temples depict the affluent culture of India. The enormous artistry of these caves is the result of the various experiments done in the period of 300 years.
Shirdi Sai Baba
Shirdi, a village of Ahmednagar district in Maharashtra, is situated at a distance of nearly 104 kilometres from Aurangabad. This town is known to have a popular shrine and temple of Sai Baba, a revered saint of 20th century. Each nuke and corner of this small town oozes with spiritual fervor. Hoards of devotees throng this town each year to worship and get blessings of Sai Baba. Special pujas are held on Thursdays in the temple of Sai Baba. There is believed that Sai Baba spent a great part of his life in Shirdi.
He was a great saint who worked for the spiritual upliftment and benefit of needy as well as spiritual seekers. Tourists from all across India and world visit Shirdi to see his Samadhi. Shani Mandir, Gurusthan, Narsimha Mandir, Kandoba Temple, Changdev Maharaj Samadhi and Sakori Ashram are some other Shirdi attractions where tourists can visit. Visitors can easily find accommodation and transport services in Shirdi. Aurangabad airport is the nearest airport to Shirdi. Shirdi railway station which lies on Manmad Daund section is the nearest railway station to Shirdi. State transportation buses operate on regular bases which connect Shirdi with nearby cities. How to reach Shirdi is a hassle free task owing to well connected modes of transportation.
Various attractions in Shirdi are : Shani Shingnapur, Samadhi Mandir, Abdul Baba Cottage, House of Laxmibai Shinde, Dixit Wada Museum, Shri Sai Baba Sansthan, Gurusthan, Chavadi, Dwarkamai, Thursday Palki Procession, Jangli Maharaj Ashram, Khandoba Mandir, Upasani Maharaj Ashram, Lendibagh etc.
Best time to go Shirdi is June - August.