Aurangabad
About 375 km from Mumbai, the city of Aurangabad is a convenient base for excursions to the famous Ajanta and Ellora caves. Deogiri, the old capital city of the Yadave kings, was later renamed Aurangabad after the Mughal ruler Aurangzeb. The Bibi-ka-Maqbara was built in 1679 by Aurangzeb's wife. The mausoleum is a beautiful piece of architecture, built on the lines of the Taj Mahal. This is one of the finest products of Mughal architectural skill in the Deccan. Behind this monument are the caves of Aurangabad of the 6th and the 8th century, a beautiful exposition of Buddhist art and sculpture.
ACCESS
Aurangabad is linked by air, rail and road with major cities around.
PLACES OF INTEREST
Bibi-ka-Maqbara; Panchakki -- a water mill with a number of fish-filled tanks; the Aurangabad Caves.
EXCURSIONS
Daulatabad (15 km) with its massive and sturdy fortress of the 14th century, known for the whimsical sultan of Delhi, Sultan Muhammad Tughlaq who ordered a mass exodus of all his subjects from Delhi to Daulatabad. People dragged themselves on the 1,100 km journey only to return 17 years later, again on his orders. The fortress was built with all conceivable defences. The caves of Ellora (30 km) are noted for their sculptures and paintings which were initially Buddhist. Later additions include Hindu and Jain sculptures dating back to 600-800 AD and 900-1000 AD respectively. The Ajanta caves (104 km) are rock-hewn Buddhist sculptures which date from the 2nd century AD to the middle of the 7th century AD.
ACCOMMODATION
Taj Residency, (5-star), 8-N-12, CIDCO, Aurangabad-431 003. Phones: 381106-10. Fax: 0240-381053.
Welcomgroup Rama International (5-star), R-3 Chikalthana, Aurangabad-431210. Phones: 485441-44. Fax: 0240-484768.
Ambassador Ajanta (5-star), P.B. No.656, Jalna Road, CIDCO Colony (PO), Aurangabad-431 003 MS. Phones: 485211-13, 485451-53. Fax: 0240-484367.
Aurangabad Ashok, Dr. Rajendra Prasad Marg, Aurangabad -431 001. Phones : 332492, 332443, 332382. Fax: 0240-331328, 331427.
Quality Inn Vedant, Station Road, Aurangabad 431 005. Phones: 333844/ 2570/ 7412-17. Fax: 331923.
President Park, R-7/2, Chikalthana, Airport Road, Aurangabad. Phones: 486201-10 lines. Fax: 0240-484823.
Holiday Resort (MTDC), Station Road. Phone: 24259, 24713.
Youth Hostel. Phone: 23801.