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Excursions in Aurangabad

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.