West India
Aurangabad Founded by a local Muslim noble Malik Ambar, in 1610 on the site of a village named Khirki, Aurangabad is famous for Bibi-ka-Makbara, the mausoleum of Aurangzeb's queen and numerous Buddhist cave temples in and around the city. The mausoleum is termed as 'poor man's Taj Mahal' as it is a poor replica of the Taj Mahal.
Located in the northern part of the state of Maharashtra, in the western region of India, Aurangabad's heritage can be linked with many dynasties of India. In 1626 Fateh Khan named the city as Fatehpur. Later Aurangzeb, the Mughal emperor made this city as his capital and renamed it Aurangabad.
Situated on the banks of the River Kham, the weather of Aurangabad is temperate with moderate winters. Aurangabad is also famous for it's silk and cotton textiles.
Panchakki (water wheel), Tomb of Baba Shah Muzaffar, a Sufi Saint, Himroo (traditional cotton-silk blend fabric) factory, Purwar Museum, and Aurangabad Caves are some of the tourist places you will get to see through the tour packages for Aurangabad.
Surrounded by hills, Buddhism was ushered in this region of the country by the great Mauryans. There are temples built in the city built by the rulers like Satvahanna and Rashtrakuta. The famous caves of Ajanta are a part of this Buddhist tradition.
Aurangabad is also important because of the famous tourist destinations nearby like the famous Buddhist caves at Ajanta which lies 166 km northeast of the city, the fortress of Daulatabad, which is just 13 km away from the city, the caves temples of Ellora, which are 30 km northwest of the city, Grishneshwar temple, one of the twelve Jyotirlingas of India, where Lord Shiva is worshipped near Ellora caves, the Bani Begum Gardens, which surround the tomb of one of Aurangzeb's queens and Paithan, 56 km south of Aurangabad, which is famous for its traditional Paithani silk saris.
Pithalkora caves, 78 km from Aurangabad and Mhaismal, 25 km from Aurangabad, are the other tourist spots you will be able to tour with the tour packages to Aurangabad.
Visit to Elephanta Caves, Sightseeing of Mumbai, Excursions to Ajanta and Ellora Caves, Kailash Temple, Sightseeing of Hyderabad, Golconda Fort, Sightseeing of Chennai including Dakshin Chitra, Visit to Mahabalipuram and Kanchipuram Temples & Varah Cave, Visit to Belur and Halebid, Sightseeing of Mysore including Mysore Palace, Visit to Sravanbelgola and Srirangapatnam, Sightseeing of Bangalore.
Ancient as ancient can be, India is bejeweled by some of the most exotic temples and caves in the world. India indeed has a very rich heritage of ancient and medieval caves and temples, representing different phases of development in art and architectural style in the country. Many of these amazing sites have been recognized as World Heritage Sites.
Our Temple and Caves Tour of India Package is perfect for those seeking spiritual solace and want to discover the rich art and architecture of ancient India. Visit the famous ancient temples and caves that date back to the time when ancientness was still in its cradle. The Temple and Caves Tour will take you to the most amazing temples and caves destinations in south and west India including Elephanta, Ajanta, Ellora and Varah Caves and Temples of Chennai, Belur, Mahabalipuram, Kanchipuram and Srirangapatnam. We assure you a mesmerizing time as you explore these world famous temples and caves on your Temple and Caves Tours to India.
Bibi Ka MaqbaraShah Jahan built the Taj Mahal, in Agra, in loving memory of his wife Mumtaz. His son Aurangzeb, who overthrew him, built the Bibi-Ka-Maqbara as a mausoleum to his wife Rabia-ud-Durrani.
This is the monument for which Aurangabad is best known, probably because it was obviously intended to rival the Taj Mahal, which it imitates. The comparison with the Agra monument has unfortunately somewhat denigrated the Aurangabad tomb which in itself displays a worthwhile architectural design, with much distinguished surface ornamentation in the late Mughal style.
The mausoleum dates from 1678 and it was erected by Prince Azam Shah, one of Aurangzeb's sons, in memory of Begum Rabia Durani, his mother. It stands in the middle of a spacious and formally planned garden, some 457 by 274 metres, with axial ponds, fountains, and water channels, many defined by stone screens and lined with broad pathways. The garden is enclosed by high crenellated walls with bastions set at intervals, and open pavilions on three sides.
In the middle of the south wall is an imposing gateway with brass-inlaid doors; these are inscribed with the name of the architect, Atam Aula. The central focus of this vast enclosure is the tomb itself. This is raised on a high terrace to look out over the garden plots and waterways. Access to the octagonal chamber containing the unadorned grave at the lower level is from a flight of steps that descends from the terrace. The grave is enclosed by an octagon of perforated marble screens. The chamber above is a high square structure presenting identical fagades on four sides. Each is dominated by a lofty portal with a pointed arch, flanked by smaller arched niches of similar design. A great dome, with a pronounced bulbous profile and a brass pot finial, crowns the whole composition while four lesser domes mark the corners.
Doorways lead to an inner octagonal gallery, defined by stone screens, that overlooks the grave from an upper level, an architectural innovation unicfue, to this monument. Corner squinches carry the lofty dome that roofs the chamber. White marble is used throughout, interspersed with delicately moulded stucco. There is, however, no use of semiprecious stones. Exactly like the Taj Mahal, the mausoleum is framed by four lofty minarets that stand freely at the corners of the terrace, their part-octagonal bases continuing down to ground level.
They have diminutive square pavilions in red sandstone at their summits. To the west of the tomb is a small mosque with finely worked cusped arches and corner minarets. Small recesses, rosettes, and arabesques embellish the faqade. Mention may also be made here of the Sunheri Mahal, situated to the north of Bibi ka Maqbara, which is a notable building in the late Mughal style. It is of interest for the patches of old painting and goldwork that adorn the walls.
Ajanta CavesAbout 107 kms. from the city of Aurangabad, the rock-cut caves of Ajanta nestle in a panoramic gorge, in the form of a gigantic horseshoe.
Among the finest examples of some of the earliest Buddhist architecture, caves-paintings and sculptures, these caves comprise Chaitya Halls, or shrines, dedicated to Lord Buddha and Viharas, or monasteries, used by Buddhist monks for meditation and the study of Buddhist teachings.
The paintings that adorn the walls and ceilings of the caves depict incidents from the life of the Buddha and various Buddhist divinities. Among the more interesting paintings are the Jataka tales, illustrating diverse stories relating to the previous incarnations of the Buddha as Bodhisattva, a saintly being who is destined to become the Buddha.
Occupied for almost 700 years, the caves of Ajanta seem to have been abandoned rather abruptly. They remained shrouded in obscurity for over a millennium, till John Smith, a British army officer, accidentally stumbled upon them while on a hunting expedition in 1819. The 'View Point' from where John Smith first glimpsed the caves, provides a magnificent sight of the U-shaped gorge and its scenic surroundings. Cascading down the cliff is a spectacular waterfall, which at the bottom feeds a natural pool called the Saptakunda.
Ajanta has been designated as a World Heritage Site, to be preserved as an artistic legacy that will continue to inspire and enrich the lives of generations to come.
The caves of Ajanta can be classified into two distinct phases: the earlier Hinayana phase (1), in which the Buddha was worshipped only in the form of certain symbols. And the later Mahayana phase (II), in which the Buddha was worshipped in the physical form.
The cave temples and monasteries at Ellora, excavated out of the vertical face of an escarpment, are 26 kms. north of Aurangabad. Extending in a linear arrangement, the 34 caves contain Buddhist Chaityas, or halls of worship, and Viharas, or monasteries, Hindu and Jian temples.
Spanning a period of about 600 years between the 5th and 11th century AD, the earliest excavation here is of the Dhumar Lena (cave 29). The most imposing excavation is, without doubt, that of the magnificent Kailasa Temple (Cave 16) which is the largest single monolithic structure in the world. Interestingly, Ellora, unlike the site of Ajanta, was never 'rediscovered'. Known as Verul in ancient times, it has continuously attracted pilgrims through the centuries to the present day.
Ellora has been designated as a World Heritage Site, to be preserved as an artistic legacy that will continue to inspire and enrich the lives of generations to come.
ShirdiThe Shirdi Saibaba Temple, located at Shirdi, Maharashtra, India attracts millions of devotees of all religions, castes and creed who come to pay homage to Shri Sai Baba. The temple is a beautiful shrine that was built over the Samadhi of Shri Sai Baba.
Shirdi is a small village in Kopargam taluk, in Ahmadnagar District of the Maharastra State. When Baba was physically present at the age of 20 in Shirdi, it was a small village of 80 thatched houses with mud walls. Today it is a big town with palatial modern buildings and shops.
Thursday is the day Saibaba is specially worshipped. On this day devotees from all over India visit Shirdi for Darshan of Saibaba.
The Temple opens for devotees at 5.15 a.m. (0515 hrs) with Kakad Aarti and remains open till the end of Shejarti.
Shirdi is well connected by road. There are also a few religious places of tourist interest in and around Shirdi.
Shirdi Saibaba Temple is managed by Shri Sai Baba Sansthan since 1922. The trust ensures that a strict code of conduct is maintained in the temple premises.
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