Excursions
Ghrishneshwar Temple
Just half a kilometer from the Ellora caves is this magnificent temple, built
in the 18th century.It is one of the five Jyotrilingas in Maharastra. Another
place well wroth a visit is the nearby tank.
Ajanta
In 1819, 100 kms. from Aurangabad, a group of British officers stumbled upon
a secret held by the Sahyadri Hills for centuries. The horseshoe-shaped gathering
of the 30 rock-hewn caves of Ajanta. Dating back to the 2nd century BC, the
exquisite legacy of paintings, sculptures, 'chaityas' (halls) and 'vihar as'
(monasteries) took around 800 years to complete.
Ellora
A mere 30 kms. from the city are the equally impressive Ellora caves. What
makes this group of 34 caves temples unique is that they are dedicated to
3 different religions - Hinduism, Buddhism & Jainism. One of its key attractions
is the monumental Kailas Temple - the largest single monolithic structure
in the world.
Khuldabad
3kms. from Ellora Lies Khuldabad - literally 'heavenly abode'. The final resting
place of Emperor Aurangzeb, this walled town was once an important center.
Bani Begam Gardens
24 kms. from Aurangabad, you can find the tomb of Bani Begam - companion to
one of Aurganzeb's sons. It lies amidst sprawling landscaped gardens, interspersed
with fluted pillars, elegant domes and aesthetic fountains - showcasing the
splendid architecture of the times.
Pitalkhora
78 kms. from Aurangabad lie the 13 cave temple of Pitalkhora - carved between
the 2nd and 5th centuries AD. The relief work is strikingly richer and more
elaborate, the carvings more precise, than in earlier work.
Daulatabad
On a hill, 13 kms. from Aurangabad stands the proud fortress of Daulatabd,
also known as Devgiri Fort. An impregnable defense in its day, the 'city of
fortune' passed through several dynasties in the Deccan.
Paithan
An important excavation site today, Paithan town, or Pratishthan (as known
earlier) was once a booming trade center. It used to be the capital of the
Satvahana dynasty A legacy of those days is still seen in the intricately
beautiful hand-made Paithani silk sarees. The new Jayakwadi dam is an ideal
bird-watching site. The town also provides easy access to the states largest
garden Dhyaneshwar Udyan.
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