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Yatra
India --» Indian Yatra
Destinations --» Aurangabad Tourism
A city known for its medieval monuments and rich cultural heritage. Aurangabad,
the city named after the Mughal emperor Aurangzeb, is more than just simply
a place to stay while visiting famous cave temples of Ajanta and Ellora.
Under Aurangzeb, Aurangabad became the seat of the powerful Mughal Empire for a short while. His predecessors preferred Agra, Delhi or Lahore - all in the north, and Aurangzeb's move was not unopposed. But the autocratic Emperor's will prevailed.
The Mughal court moved to Aurangabad and remained there till his death. Built during his years in Aurangabad were such architectural gems as the Bibi-ka-Maqbara, a mausoleum with a marked resemblance to the Taj Mahal and a medieval watermill. Aurangabad became a thriving industrial center with many fine academic institutions.
Its textiles became much sought after and even today, the weavers of Aurangabad produce fine textiles like pathani, himroo and kimkhwab.
Aurangabad city is located in the northern part of the state of Maharashtra, in the western region of India. It is 375 km from Mumbai (Bombay). Today, Aurangabad is a bustling city of Maharashtra with diverse big and small industries, fine silken textiles, and exquisite hand woven brocades of silver and gold fabrics, Himroo of world frame. To scholars and lovers of art and culture the city is more familiar as the gateway to the ancient caves of Ajanta and Ellora, both famous as treasure houses of Indian Art and Sculpture.
Places of Interest
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 Jakarta tales. Cave 7 houses an imposing sculpture of a Bodhisattva, praying for deliverance.
Pan Chakki
Pan Chakki, the ingenious watermill which was designed to generate energy from 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. From my guide I came to know that it was built by Malik Ambar in 1695. The gardens and fish tanks around this place serve as a memorial to a Sufi saint who was much venerated by Aurangzeb.
Aurangabad Tourism
A city known for its medieval monuments and rich cultural heritage. Aurangabad,
the city named after the Mughal emperor Aurangzeb, is more than just simply
a place to stay while visiting famous cave temples of Ajanta and Ellora.
Under Aurangzeb, Aurangabad became the seat of the powerful Mughal Empire for a short while. His predecessors preferred Agra, Delhi or Lahore - all in the north, and Aurangzeb's move was not unopposed. But the autocratic Emperor's will prevailed.
The Mughal court moved to Aurangabad and remained there till his death. Built during his years in Aurangabad were such architectural gems as the Bibi-ka-Maqbara, a mausoleum with a marked resemblance to the Taj Mahal and a medieval watermill. Aurangabad became a thriving industrial center with many fine academic institutions.
Its textiles became much sought after and even today, the weavers of Aurangabad produce fine textiles like pathani, himroo and kimkhwab.
Aurangabad city is located in the northern part of the state of Maharashtra, in the western region of India. It is 375 km from Mumbai (Bombay). Today, Aurangabad is a bustling city of Maharashtra with diverse big and small industries, fine silken textiles, and exquisite hand woven brocades of silver and gold fabrics, Himroo of world frame. To scholars and lovers of art and culture the city is more familiar as the gateway to the ancient caves of Ajanta and Ellora, both famous as treasure houses of Indian Art and Sculpture.
Places of Interest
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 Jakarta tales. Cave 7 houses an imposing sculpture of a Bodhisattva, praying for deliverance.
Pan Chakki
Pan Chakki, the ingenious watermill which was designed to generate energy from 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. From my guide I came to know that it was built by Malik Ambar in 1695. The gardens and fish tanks around this place serve as a memorial to a Sufi saint who was much venerated by Aurangzeb.