|
|
|
Ajanta
Ellora
|
|
Cities
|
|
|
|
India Travel Sketch
|
|
Search |
|
|
|
Destinations
|
|
|
|
Beaches
|
|
|
|
Pilgrimage
|
|
|
|
Cuisines
|
|
|
|
Hill
Stations
|
|
|
Wild Life
|
|
|
|
Travel
Tips
|
|
|
|
Health Travel
|
|
|
|
|
From ancient times Aurangabad has
been a place of great importance due to it’s location on the famous
"Silk Route" that traversed across the breadth of Asia to reach
Europe. Textiles, embroidered finery and various kinds of beads made in
nearby Paithan were exported to the markets of Greece, Rome and Egypt.
This
city is surrounded by hills almost from all sides. Due to this in ancient
time it has got strategic importance. The city boasts of Bibi-ka-Makbara, a
tomb that has some resemblance to the Taj Mahal. The importance of
Aurangabad is great, owing to its proximity with world heritage sites of
Ajanta and Ellora. These sites have Buddhist, Jain and Hindu temples.
Under royal dynasties such as the Satavahanas, Vakatakas, Chalukyas and
Rashtrakutas, Aurangabad developed as a centre of culture and learning. It
gave birth to or provided inspiration for great poet – saints and
philosophers like Dyaneshwar, Eknath and Ramdas, Wali and Siraj.
|
|
Bibi-Ka-Maqbara
|
|
 The so
called "poor-man's Taj Mahal" was built in 1679 as a mausoleum
for Aurangezeb's wife, Rabd-ud-daurani. It is a cheap imitation of the Taj
in both design and execution.
On the main gate an inscription reveals that
it cost precisely Rs 665,283 and 7 annas to build. It attracts hordes of
visitors and would no doubt be considered a high point of Mughal
architecture if the Taj did not exist. It is much more atmospheric at
night, when it is floodlit.
|
| Panchakki |
|
It takes its name from the mill that in its day
was considered a marvel of engineering. Driven by water brought earthen pipes
from the river six km away, the mill once ground grain for pilgrims. Today
if is simply a cool and serene respite from bustling Aurangabad, Baba Shah
Muzaaffar a Sufi saint and spiritual guide to Aurangzeb, is buried here
and the garden with its series of fish-filled tanks serves as his
memorial.
|
| Ajanta |
|
Nestled in an
inner fold of the Sahyadri hills, 100 kms away from Aurangabad, are the 30
rock-cut caves of Ajanta. Carved with little more than a hammer and
chisel, Ajanta features several chaityas and viharas - Buddhist shrines,
dating back to the 2nd century BC. Ajanta is more famous for the exquisite
paintings inside these caves, which are a major attraction for tourists
from all over the world. Beautiful frescoes, wall paintings and vivid
sculptures reflect the peak of ancient Indian art and architecture.
|
| Aurangabad Caves |
|
The
Western
Group |
|
It has its own group of caves a
couple of km north of Bibi-ka-Maqbara. Of particular interest are the
Tantric influences evident in the iconography and architectural designs of
the caves. Some of the chaityas are constructed on a mandala plan for the
circumambulation of the Buddha who is depicted here seated on an
intricately carved throne. One is also treated to a panoramic view of the
city as well as the imposing Maqbara from this point.
|
|
The
Western
Group are all viharas except for the earlier
cave, which is a chaitya. The Caves have finely carved pillars with
figures on brackets and ornamentation around doorways and walls, a shrine
and columned hallways, a large Buddha and intricately carved panels. The
sanctuary has panels illustrating jataka stories and a fine large Buddha
figure on his throne with attendant devotees illustrating contemporary
dress and style.
|
| The
Eastern Group |
|
Ghrishneshvara
Temple |
|
It
has more sculptures of women and
Bodhisattvas. Cave 6 has a large Buddha supporting Ganesh, indicating a
later period when Hinduism was gaining in importance over Buddhism. The
wall carvings depict deliverance and numerous female dancers and
musicians. The importance of Tara and of Tantric Buddhism is evident here.
|
|
Half a kilometre from the Ellora Caves, 30
kms. from Aurangabad lies this 18th century Ghrihneshvara Temple with its beautiful
architecture and carving, one of the five 'Jyotirlingas' in Maharashtra
where Lord Shiva is worshipped. While you are here, another place worth
visiting is the Holkar Temple nearby.
|
| |
|
|
|
|
Next
>>
|
| |
| |
Aurangabad
Dadra & Nagar
Kolhapur
Lonavala & Khandala
Mahabaleshwar
Mumbai
Nasik
Pune
|
