Trip to Aurangabad
After a long thought, very long
thought of 2 years actually, I finally visited Aurangabad last December. This
is one place I would recommend everyone to visit. I am not very sure about the
hotels or other accommodations here as I stayed in my sister’s place. But I am
sure there should be good accommodations available.
This is a place with multiple
interests and multi culture, present and past all mingled into one. Within a
radius of 100km from Aurangabad town, there are lots of places which stand as a
testimony to India’s rich cultural and artistic past.
Within the city the top rated
tourist attraction is Bibi-ka-Maqbara and the Panchakki. Bibi-ka-Maqbara is a tomb built by Aurangazeb for
his wife and is a replica of Taj Mahal. Panchakki is an ancient water mill. You can see the scientific excellence we had even centuries back.
Take a day out for each Ajanta
caves and Ellora caves and the Daulatabad fort. Each of these are about 100kms from Aurangabad. Another big
attraction of the region is Shirdi. This is also about 100kms from Aurangabad
and you can do a day trip to Shirdi.
The sculptures of Ellora caves
dates back to the 10th or 11th centuries. The Ellora
mostly reminded me of the Pallava architecture. The Kailasanathar Temple,
especially, looked like an exact replica of the Kailasanathar Temple in
Kancheepuram. It is a well-known fact that many artists went back and forth
between Kancheepuram and Ellora and Ajanta for their interests in art, so this
does not comes as a surprise.
The Daulatabad fort which is near
Ellora caves is another place worth a visit. Though most of it is in ruins at
the moment, this is a testimony to the strong defense system that we in place
during those periods.
The Ajanta caves are the oldest
of them all. Though the stone carvings may have come at a later date, the
paintings on the caves are dated back to the 2nd century BC. Most of
the paintings are worn out now, but whatever is left is definitely a pleasure
to watch, if you are interested in arts. The stone carvings of Buddha in
various postures are also a treat to watch. These giant structures are all
monolithic, again reminding about the Pallava arts.
Apart from the arts in the caves,
the place is also surrounded by good dense forest, unlike the Ellora caves,
which is quite dry. People who are interested in bird watching or spending a
day in gardens will also be delighted. This place is definitely worth spending
a day or two.
The caves here are quite dark even during a sunny day. There are focus lights put just for the sculptures and art work. You can also use your torch lights with the permission of the guards there. Some of these guards may also be knowledgeable and work as guide explaining the details of the art works in the caves.
Those who are carrying cameras, please note that flashing inside the caves is totally prohibited. So you will have to take the pictures without flashes!
Anyone who wants to visit the
Ellora or Ajanta, please bear in mind that there will be lot of walking around
and in Ajanta there will be a bit of climbing as well. Those who cannot climb
can use the palanquins available there for a small price. Make sure you take enough water with you as
these places can dehydrate you big time and you will not find much water
sources there.
Make sure you have enough snacks, or food, depends on your requirement during the travel. For one, the visit may take till the evening and you will have to manage with the small food joints that are around these places.
Enjoy your travel to Aurangabad, one of the numerous living examples of heritage and architecture!