Aurangabad, in Maharashtra, is a historic city and the gateway to the magnificent Ajanta and Ellora Caves, two of India’s greatest UNESCO World Heritage Sites. It also boasts Mughal era monuments and rich history. The best time to visit is October to March, and two to three days let you explore the caves and city landmarks in depth.
Why Visit Aurangabad
Aurangabad is a treasure trove of history and art, most famous as the base for visiting the spectacular Ajanta and Ellora Caves, which rank among the finest achievements of ancient Indian art and architecture. These UNESCO World Heritage Sites, with their breathtaking rock cut temples, monasteries and murals, draw visitors from around the world and are reason enough to make the journey. Few places offer such a concentration of world class heritage.
But Aurangabad is far more than just a gateway. The city itself is rich in monuments from the Mughal and medieval eras, including a beautiful mausoleum often compared to the Taj Mahal, ancient gates and water systems, and its own set of nearby caves. With its blend of ancient Buddhist, Hindu and Jain art and later Islamic architecture, Aurangabad offers a deep and rewarding dive into India’s layered history and artistic brilliance.
Top Things to Do in Aurangabad
Aurangabad’s attractions are led by its world famous caves but include a wealth of city monuments too.
Marvel at the Ellora Caves
The Ellora Caves are an astonishing complex of rock cut temples and monasteries representing Buddhist, Hindu and Jain traditions, carved over centuries. The undisputed masterpiece is the colossal Kailasa Temple, an entire temple hewn from a single rock, whose scale and detail are simply staggering. Exploring Ellora is a humbling encounter with the genius and devotion of ancient artisans and an essential highlight of any visit.
Discover the Ajanta Caves
The Ajanta Caves, set in a dramatic horseshoe shaped gorge, are famous for their exquisite ancient Buddhist murals and sculptures, among the finest surviving examples of ancient painting in the world. These beautifully preserved artworks depict the life of the Buddha and celestial beings in vivid detail. Wandering the caves and admiring the delicate paintings is a moving and unforgettable experience for art and history lovers.
Visit Bibi ka Maqbara
Often called the Taj of the Deccan, Bibi ka Maqbara is a graceful Mughal era mausoleum that closely resembles the famous Taj Mahal, though on a smaller scale. Set in formal gardens, its elegant white domed structure is beautiful to behold and offers a glimpse of Mughal architectural style in the Deccan. It is one of Aurangabad’s most photogenic and beloved landmarks.
Explore the City’s Monuments
Aurangabad has other fascinating sights, including its own set of ancient rock cut caves overlooking the city, a remarkable medieval water mill and historic city gates. The nearby hilltop fortress of Daulatabad, with its ingenious defences, is also a spectacular place to explore. Together these monuments reveal the city’s long and eventful history across different eras and dynasties.
Food and Local Flavours in Aurangabad
Aurangabad has a distinctive cuisine influenced by its Mughal and Deccan heritage.
- Naan qalia, a signature local dish of meat and spices with bread.
- Rich Mughlai style curries, biryanis and kebabs.
- Traditional Maharashtrian and Deccan thalis.
- Local sweets and the region’s famous Himroo and Paithani textiles to shop for.
The city’s signature dish, naan qalia, is a must try, reflecting the rich Mughlai influence on local cuisine, and Aurangabad is also a wonderful place to shop for exquisite traditional textiles.
History and Artistic Legacy
Aurangabad and its surroundings hold an extraordinary place in the story of Indian art and history. The Ajanta and Ellora Caves span many centuries and multiple religious traditions, representing the pinnacle of ancient rock cut architecture and painting. These sites reflect an era of remarkable creativity, devotion and skill, when artisans carved entire temples and painted masterpieces into the living rock, leaving a legacy of world importance.
The city itself rose to prominence in later centuries, particularly during the Mughal era, when it became an important centre of power in the Deccan and took its current name. Monuments from this period, like Bibi ka Maqbara and the nearby fortress of Daulatabad, add further historical richness. This layering of ancient artistic genius and later imperial grandeur makes Aurangabad one of India’s most historically rewarding destinations.
Nearby Attractions and Day Trips
Aurangabad is surrounded by remarkable sites that are easy to visit.
- The Ellora Caves, including the magnificent Kailasa Temple, a short drive away.
- The Ajanta Caves, a longer but rewarding day trip into the gorge.
- Daulatabad Fort, a spectacular hilltop fortress with clever defences.
- Grishneshwar Temple, an important shrine near Ellora.
The caves are usually visited as day trips, with Ellora and Daulatabad conveniently combined, while Ajanta, being further away, typically warrants a dedicated day to fully appreciate its artistic treasures.
Best Time to Visit Aurangabad
October to March is the most comfortable time to visit, with pleasant weather ideal for exploring the caves and city monuments, which involve a fair amount of walking and climbing. Summers can be very hot, making extensive sightseeing tiring, while the monsoon brings greenery to the landscape around the caves along with occasional rain. For the most enjoyable experience of this heritage rich destination, the cooler winter months are clearly the best window.
How to Reach Aurangabad
Aurangabad is well connected, with an airport offering flights to major cities like Mumbai and Delhi, making air travel convenient for reaching the caves. It also has a railway station with train links and good road connections to Mumbai, Pune and Nashik. Within the city and to the caves, hiring a taxi or joining a tour is the most practical way to travel, as the major sites are spread out across the surrounding region.
Where to Stay in Aurangabad
Aurangabad offers a good range of accommodation, from comfortable hotels and resorts to budget guesthouses. Staying in the city puts you within reach of its monuments and provides a convenient base for day trips to the caves. There are also some options closer to the cave sites for those wanting to be near the star attractions. Choosing a centrally located, comfortable hotel makes exploring both the city and the surrounding heritage sites straightforward.
Planning Your Trip
Aurangabad deserves two to three days to do justice to its riches, typically with one day for Ellora and Daulatabad, another for Ajanta, and time for the city monuments. Note that the caves have closing days, so check schedules when planning. Start early to make the most of your cave visits and beat the heat, and hire a knowledgeable guide to bring the art and history to life. With good planning, Aurangabad offers one of India’s most rewarding heritage experiences.
Practical Travel Tips
- Check the weekly closing days of the Ajanta and Ellora Caves when planning.
- Dedicate a full day each to Ajanta and to the Ellora and Daulatabad area.
- Hire a guide to appreciate the art and history of the caves fully.
- Start early to beat the heat and crowds at the cave sites.
- Wear comfortable shoes for the walking and climbing at the caves and forts.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Aurangabad famous for?
Aurangabad is famous as the gateway to the magnificent Ajanta and Ellora Caves, two UNESCO World Heritage Sites. It is also known for Mughal era monuments like Bibi ka Maqbara and its rich, layered history.
How many days do you need in Aurangabad?
Two to three days are ideal, allowing a day each for Ajanta and for the Ellora and Daulatabad area, plus time for the city monuments. This lets you appreciate the heritage sites without rushing.
How far are the caves from Aurangabad?
The Ellora Caves are a relatively short drive from the city and often combined with Daulatabad Fort. The Ajanta Caves are further away and usually visited as a separate, dedicated day trip.
What is the best time to visit Aurangabad?
October to March offers the most comfortable weather for exploring the caves and monuments, which involve considerable walking. Summers are very hot, so the cooler winter months are strongly preferred.
Are the Ajanta and Ellora Caves worth visiting?
Absolutely. The Ajanta and Ellora Caves are among the greatest achievements of ancient Indian art and architecture, featuring stunning rock cut temples and exquisite murals. They are unmissable highlights of any trip.
Final Thoughts
Aurangabad is a gateway to some of the most awe inspiring art and architecture in the world, anchored by the incomparable Ajanta and Ellora Caves. Stand before a temple carved from a single rock, admire ancient murals that have survived the centuries and explore the city’s own Mughal treasures. Rich, profound and endlessly fascinating, Aurangabad is an essential destination for anyone drawn to history, art and the extraordinary creativity of India’s past. Standing inside these ancient caves, dwarfed by work carved entirely by hand centuries ago, is the kind of experience that recalibrates your sense of what human devotion and skill can achieve.