May 19, 2006 09:12 PM
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(Updated May 20, 2006 09:01 PM)
For some Aurangabad may not sound as though it's a fun or a worthwhile place to visit. But, they're wrong.
Aurangabad, is a lively city named after the Mughal ruler 'Aurangazeb'. Hence, Aurangabad inherited an awesome historical and cultural heritage. This makes it an offbeat destination in the state of Maharashtra. It's a city with lots of places to shop, eat and celebrate (no...i'm not quoting the slogan of mall). But, that's something that you will find everywhere. What makes Aurangabad particularly authentic is it's beautiful tourist attractions. The people here are also very helpful (I'm not saying this because I live here). If you are trying find something other than beaches (though the river, Godavari flows through it) and greeny hill-stations (though it has a number of good gardens to make your stay comfortable) then your destination is 'Aurangabad'.
Here are some (just 'some' of them) the places YOU MUST (they will make your trip 'unforgettable') VISIT:
The famous Ajanta and Ellora caves draw a large number of tourists from far, they have been labelled as 'world heritage sites', the can be described as 'life in rock' and they deserve all that praise.
Ajanta caves: They are world famous rock-hewn caves and are approximately 100 Kms from the city. 30 lovely caves, arranged in the shape of a mammoth horseshoe date back to the 2nd century B.C. There are some exquisite wall and ceiling paintings, panels and sculptures of Buddha's life. These are renowned worldwide for being the earliest and finest examples of Buddhist pictorial art.
These fabulous temples took around 600 years to create!!! Imagine the hard work, skill and patience the sculptors had!! They were carved with little more than a hammer and chisel. Amazing, isn't it?
Ellora caves: An uninterrupted sequence of monuments which bring the civilization of ancient India to life. The caves are not only an unique artistic creation but also a technological exploit because the spirit of tolerance is depicted in them. You can find Buddhist, Jain and Hindu temples here. One of the temples which is like an massive elephant really scared me. When you went inside it, it was like you are inside the elephant, you could see the ribs. But, trust me, it's not a scary experience.
Bibi-ka-Makbara: Very few people know about this. It is known as the 'poor man's Taj Mahal' owing to it being a poor replica of the Taj. But, actually it is very beautiful. It is the mausoleum of Aurangzeb's queen (may be that's why it is 'BIBI-KA-MAKBARA as in my wife's makbara) and is the main tourist attraction of Aurangabad.
Pan Chakki: The name suggests that it's a 'chakki', a wheel. Well, it is an indegenuous watermill. It is an HISTORICAL structure. The water mill was designed to generate energy from water brought down from a spring on a mountain. A beautiful garden and fish tank around the place serve as a memorial to Malik Ambar, a Sufi saint much respected by Aurangzeb. You must see it!! Imagine!! People were so skilled even during that time!
Daulatabad Fort: Undisputedly one of the greatest forts bulit. You'll have a nice time climbing it and enjoy a breath taking view from the top. A huge fort bulit by the Mughals.
Bani Begum Gardens: These are a few kilometers away from Aurangabad but are worth a visit. Tourists coming to Aurangabad make it a point to visit the well laid out gardens.
Grishneshwar Temple :This temple is an important pilgrimage destination for Hindus. It is one of the twelve Jyotirlingas of India, where Lord Shiva is worshiped. Make sure you put it on your schedule.
Now, after you've seen enough try your taste at shopping. Aurangabad is famous for it's Paithani sarees. The yarn used is pure silk and the 'zari' is drawn from pure gold!! Beautiful! Some of the more intricate designs take upto one and a half years to weave! So, make sure you get them. Don't miss the age-old weaving craft 'Himroo' and 'Mashru' and fabrics of cotton and silk.
I hope this will put Aurangabad on your 'not to forget to visit' list!!
