Situated in the Deccan traps it is the largest district in the Marathwada region. The city is known for its textile and silk crafts. It is renowned for its rich cultural heritage and is also known as the City of Gates. It has various important historical sites including the Ajanta and Ellora caves which are a part of the UNESCO world heritage sites. These caves depict one of the world’s finest forms of art and architecture dedicated to religious beliefs.
Ajanta and Ellora Caves
The Ajanta cave system is located 102 km from the city of Aurangabad and Ellora at 32 km away. These cave systems incorporate numerous marvels of Jain, Buddhist and Hindu religion including cave paintings. They are part of the list of the UNESCO world Heritage sites and are a must-visit.
Kailash Temple
Cave 16 or the Kailash temple is a monument that leaves one in awe, built by the Rashtrakutas this temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and is part of the Ellora Cave system. It is the largest religious structure carved out of a single stone and attracts experts and tourists not only from India but from all over the world.
Grishneshwar Temple
It is considered as the twelfth Jyotirlinga and is located in close proximity to the Ellora Caves. It was built by the great Rashtrakuta ruler Dantidurga but was later destroyed by Aurangzeb and later restored by the Marathas. The current structure is built with red sandstone and the remains of the ancient Rashtrakuta architecture can still be observed in the structure.
Bhadra Maruti Temple
It has one of the only three idols of Lord Hanuman in a reclining position and is located at a distance of 4km from Ellora caves. It is believed that one day Lord Hanuman descended here listening to the songs praising Lord Rama by a devotee named king Bhadrasena and was so mesmerised with it that he rested in a reclining position listening to it.
Aurangabad Jain Temple
Built in respect of the 23rd Jain Tirthankar Chintamani Parshwanath it is located at a distance of 27 km from Aurangabad in Kachner Village. The idol is believed to possess miraculous powers as the devotees have observed their problems being solved and prayers heard after leaving the temple. The idol was discovered in an underground basement 250 years ago and the temple was built around it.
