Situated in the northern region of Maharashtra, Aurangabad is an ancient city standing on the banks of Kham River. Known for its historical heritage, it was an important seat of Mughal Empire, though for a very short period of time. In Persian, Aurangabad means 'Built by the Throne' and is named after Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb. Surrounded by Ajanta and Ellora caves, which are 'World Heritage Sites', Aurangabad is quite popular in the travel and tourism domain. Every year, thousands of visitors throng the place to witness the art and craft and ancient monuments of the yore.

Tourist Attractions

Aurangabad is world famous for its rock cut caves and is undoubtedly the main attraction in the city. Aurangabad Caves date back to the 2nd - 3rd century and are the living examples of the flourishing Buddhist settlement in Maharashtra. There are twelve caves in all, which are divided into three groups as per their location. The first group of caves, from 1 to 5 is located on the western side of the hill. The second group includes caves 6 - 9, which are located on the eastern side of the hill. The third group includes caves 10 - 12, which lies east of the second group and out of the Aurangabad city bounds.

The next important monument in the city is Bibi ka Maqbara. Situated at a distance of 5 km from the city, it is a splendid mausoleum, which entombs Rabia-ul-Daurani, alias Dilras Banu Begum, the wife of the Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb. It was built by Prince Azam Shah, Aurangzeb's son, in the loving memory of his mother. Made of fine marble, it is a poor copy of Taj Mahal at Agra. In fact, it is even addressed as the 'Taj of Deccan'. The beautiful inscriptions on the entrance, delicate designs on the walls, sprawling gardens and picturesque surroundings contribute to the splendor of the memorial.

Besides, a fascinating structure in Aurangabad is Panchakki, which means 'Water Mill'. It receives water from an underground channel, with its source 6 km away in the mountains. An artificial waterfall, beautiful gardens, a gushing fountain and the tomb of Baba Shah Muzzafar, a Sufi saint, are essential things to look out for. Jama Masjid is the most popular shrine in the city. It was built by King Aurangzeb and includes slender minarets, broad band, Koranic inscriptions, etc. Other mosques in the city are Chauk Masjid and Lal Masjid. Besides, there are three museums worth visiting, namely Sunheri Mahal Museum, University Museum and Chhatrapati Shivaji Museum.

How to Reach
By Air: Aurangabad is well connected to all the key cities of the country via many flights. It has its own airport, which is located at a distance of 10 km from the main city.

By Rail: Aurangabad even houses a railway station, which operates trains to cities in and around Maharashtra.

By Road: Aurangabad boasts of a good network of roads. State Transport and private buses are available here at regular intervals, making the city easily accessible.