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Ajanta & Ellora caves
- worlg Heritage Cave Temple
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| The world-heritage listed cave temple of Ellora, about 30km from Aurangabad, are the culmination of Deccan rock-cut architecture. There are 34 caves cut out of the sloping side of the low hill. Another 28 caves have been discovered later by the archeological Survey of India. The masterpiece of Ellora is the Kailash Temple. It is the world's largest monolithic sculpture, sculpted out of a rock by 7000 labourers over a 150 year period. The shrines are not exclusively Buddhist, but of Hindu and Jain faiths as well. Entry to Ellora is free.
106km from Aurangabad. The 30 rock-cut Buddhist caves at Ajanta are of two basic designs called 'Chaitya grihas' and 'Viharas'. Five of the caves are Chaityas (Buddhist cathedrals) while the other 25 are Viharas (monasteries). Chaitya grihas were halls of worship - large, rectangular chambers separated by rows of pillars into a central nave, surrounded by aisles on three sides, for circumambulation during prayer, with a sanctuary opposite the entrance. The Chaityas are decorated with sculptures and murals depicting the many incarnations of Buddha. Viharas or monasteries are rectangular shaped halls with series of small cells attached on two sides. The side opposite the entrance contained an image of Buddha or a votive stupa.
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Aurangabad Caves
- Remarkable Sculpture
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| Aurangabad, too, has a group of Caves which are quite beautiful. These Buddhist Caves were carved out of the hillside in the 6th or 7th century AD. |
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Bibi ka Maqbara
- Tribute to Mother
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| Built by Azam Shah in 1678, the Bibi ka Maqbara is a son's loving tribute to his mother, Begum Rabia Durrani, the Queen of Mughal emperor Aurangzeb. Standing spectacularly on the lawns of the landscaped garden with ponds, fountains and water channels, the white marbled monument rises majestically in an intentional bid to copy and rival the world famous Taj Mahal of Agra.
The central tomb, distinguished by elaborate surface ornamentation and intricately perforated marble screens, is framed by four towering minarets.
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Daulatbad Fort
- impregnable fort of India
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| 13 Km between Aurangabad and the Ellora caves is the magnificent hilltop fortress of Daulatbad. The fort built by Bhilam Raja of the Yadava dynasty in 1187 was earlier called Deogiri. This fort is considered as one of the oldest existing and impregnable forts of India. One of its attractions is the tower, Chand Minar.
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Grihneshwar Temple
- 12 Jyothirlinga Shrines
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| 30 km from Aurangabad near the Ellora caves, it is one of the 12 Jyotirlinga shrines dedicated to Lord Shiva and sacred to Hindus. A fair is held here around March each year on Mahashivaratri day.
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History Museum of Marathwada University
- Miniature paintings of Maratha, Rajput
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| Excavated material of Sathavahana dynasty. Sculpture from Marathwad region. Miniature paintings of Maratha, Rajput, Mughal and company paintings of East India Company periods. Decorative objects of Chinese and Japanese origin, China clay and gold embroidery etc, several manuscripts of 17th and 18th century AD in Persian and Arabic languages. Timings : 1030 to 1730. Closed on Sundays.
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Paithan
- Ancient City
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| 56km (South of Aurangabad). The ancient city of Pratishthan, now known as Paithan, was the seat of the Satvahana dynasty who ruled from 2nd century BC to 2nd century AD. Situated on the banks of the sacred river Godavari, the little town is famous for its Shrine of 'Sant Eknath' which lends it special spiritual ambience. Every year on Nath Shastri which usually falls in the month of March, a big fair is held called 'Paithan Yatra' which last about 10 days. People from far and near come to pay their homage to Sant Eknath.
Paithan, which was once an important seat of learning, is also famous for its beautiful silk saris which sport intricately embroidered gold or silver borders called 'Paithani'.
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Panchakki
- Water Mill
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| An engineering feat of the time is the Panchakki, or the water mill built by Malik Ambar in 1695. The water, channeled from a spring on a distant hill was used to power the flour mill and grind grain for the pilgrims.
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Shirdi
- shrine of Sri Baba
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| 130 km. Shrine of Sri Sai Baba of Shirdi. A place of pilgrimage for devotees of Sri Sai Baba. There is a special pooja ceremony on every Thursday.
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