The world-heritage listed cave temple of Ellora, about 30km from Aurangabad, are the culmination of Deccan rock-cut architecture. There are 34 caves cut out of the sloping side of the low hill. Another 28 caves have been discovered later by the archeological Survey of India.

The masterpiece of Ellora is the Kailash Temple. It is the world's largest monolithic sculpture, sculpted out of a rock by 7000 labourers over a 150 year period.

The shrines are not exclusively Buddhist, but of Hindu and Jain faiths as well. Entry to Ellora is free.

106km from Aurangabad. The 30 rock-cut Buddhist caves at Ajanta are of two basic designs called 'Chaitya grihas' and 'Viharas'. Five of the caves are Chaityas (Buddhist cathedrals) while the other 25 are Viharas (monasteries). Chaitya grihas were halls of worship - large, rectangular chambers separated by rows of pillars into a central nave, surrounded by aisles on three sides, for circumambulation during prayer, with a sanctuary opposite the entrance. The Chaityas are decorated with sculptures and murals depicting the many incarnations of Buddha. Viharas or monasteries are rectangular shaped halls with series of small cells attached on two sides. The side opposite the entrance contained an image of Buddha or a votive stupa.
 

The Ajanta caves include the epic in visual form, recalling the life of the Buddha and illustrating tales from Jatakas (Buddhist fables). Cave 1 has a most popular painting of Bodhisattva Avalokitesvara and Bodhisattva Padmapani (one with the lotus in his hand). Cave 2 is remarkable for its ceiling decorations and murals narrating the birth of Buddha. Cave 4 is the largest vihara in Ajanta and depicts a man and woman fleeing from a mad elephant and a man giving up his resistance to a tempting woman.

Cave 16 has 'the Dying Princess' painting, representing the Sundari, the wife of the Buddha's half brother, Nanda, who left her to become a monk. A number of unfinished caves were abandoned mysteriously.

Lies 3 km north of Aurangabad. They were excavated out of a south facing hill side overlooking the town. These caves fall into two groups about 1.5km apart. These are 10 caves belong to the Buddhist era and were excavated between 3rd and 11th century. Caves 3, 6 and 7 are specially worth visiting. The Western group of caves comprises caves 1 to 5 and the eastern group has caves 6 to 10. Cave 2 has a shrine and columned hallways, with a large Buddha as Teacher in a seated position on a panel. In cave 3, there are superb carvings on the 12 pillars of the hall way, which illustrate the jataka stories. Cave 4, a chaitya is the oldest of the lot.
 

Cave 6 has a large Buddha and a supporting figure of Ganesh. Cave 7 is regarded as the most interesting with its images of women like Hariti and the six goddesses, including Padmini. In the rear of the hall is a large Buddha in a preaching position. Open from sunrise to sunset, or 1800 hours, whichever is earlier.

13 Km between Aurangabad and the Ellora caves is the magnificent hilltop fortress of Daulatbad. Rising dramatically over 600 ft above the Deccan plain is the arresting sight of Daulatabad.

The fort built by Bhilam Raja of the Yadava dynasty in 1187 was earlier called Deogir, served as the head quarters of the powerful Yadava rulers.  In the 13th century, Mohammed bin Tughlak, the Sultan of Delhi, made it his capital and renamed it Daulatabad, or City of Fortune.

This fort is considered as one of the oldest existing and impregnable forts of India. One of its attractions is the tower, Chand Minar.

 

Built by Azam Shah in 1678, the Bibi-ka-Maqbara is a son's loving tribute to his mother, Begum Rabia Durrani, the Queen of Mughal emperor Aurangzeb. Standing spectacularly on the lawns of the landscaped garden with ponds, fountains and water channels, the white marbled monument rises majestically in an intentional bid to copy and rival the world famous Taj Mahal of Agra.

The central tomb, distinguished by elaborate surface ornamentation and intricately perforated marble screens, is framed by four towering minarets. The mausoleum is far less ornamental, than Taj Mahal. The mausoleum stands in a square of 1,37,00 sq. meters. The monument is an excellent example of Persian Architecture. It's more attractive at night, when it's floodlit. It's open from sunrise to 10pm.

It is an impressive pre-Mughal watermill harnessed to operate large grain-grinding stones. It was built by Malik Ambar in 1695 to commemorate the memory of the Sufi saint Baba Shah Musafir, whose tomb lies nearby.

Panchakki takes its name from the mill which was considered a marvel of engineering at that time. The water, channeled from a spring on a distant hill was used to power the flour mill and grind grain for the pilgrims.

Excavated material of Sathavahana dynasty. Sculpture from Marathwad region. Miniature paintings of Maratha, Rajput, Mughal and company paintings of East India Company periods. Decorative objects of Chinese and Japanese origin, China clay and gold embroidery etc, several manuscripts of 17th and 18th century AD in Persian and Arabic languages. Timings : 1030 to 1730. Closed on Sundays.

Sculpture and broken panels from archaeological sites in Paithan. Timings: 1030 hrs to 1730hrs. Closed on Sundays.

A walled town just 3km from Ellora. It is the holy shrine of Deccan Muslims. The austere tomb of Emperor Aurangazeb is situated here. There is also a Mughal garden nearby, called Bani Begum Ka Bagh.

30 km from Aurangabad, Just half a kilometre from the Ellora Caves is Ghrishneshwar Temple. It enshrines one of the 12 jyotirlingas dedicated to Shiva and sacred to Hindus.

The temple walls are richly sculptured. Both the temple and its masonry tank were built by Queen Ahilyabai Holkar, who ruled Indore from 1765 to 1795.

A fair is held here around March each year on Mahashivaratri day.
 

56km (South of Aurangabad). The ancient city of Pratishthan, now known as Paithan, was the seat of the Satvahana dynasty who ruled from 2nd century BC to 2nd century AD. Situated on the banks of the sacred river Godavari, the little town is famous for its Shrine of 'Sant Eknath' which lends it special spiritual ambience. Every year on Nath Shastri which usually falls in the month of March, a big fair is held called 'Paithan Yatra' which last about 10 days. People from far and near come to pay their homage to Sant Eknath.

Paithan, which was once an important seat of learning, is also famous for its beautiful silk saris which sport intricately embroidered gold or silver borders called 'Paithani'.

130 km. from Aurangabad. Shrine of Sri Sai Baba of Shirdi. A place of pilgrimage for devotees of Sri Sai Baba. There is a special pooja ceremony on every Thursday.

The 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.  

For devotees across the globe, there are arrangements to get Pujas conducted on their behalf and the prasad sent to them. 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.

* - Gargoti - A Mineral Museum...

Thirteen Buddhist excavations, dating from the 2nd century BC to the 1st century AD lie about 40 km northwest of Ellora, cut into the side of the a secluded ravine. Comprising mainly viharas, they form the largest group of Hinayana Buddhist structures.

Pitalkhora is best accessed by private car or taxi and can be reached from Aurangabad by motoring on the MSH1 and taking the diversion after Satkunda.

170 kms from Aurangabad, is the village of Lonar. Over 30,000 years ago, a falling meteorite struck the area creating the world's largest impact creater in basaltic rock. Botanists have recently discovered vegetation life forms not found anywhere else on this planet, in the stunning lake of the crater.

A Shiva temple, with beautifully carved sculptures and decorated pillars stands in the village of Anwa, 10 kms east of Golegaon, on the main road leading from Aurangabad to the Ajanta Caves. It was built in the 12th century, and consists of a sanctuary, a mandapa or open hall with decorated pillars. The niches have exquisitely sculpted images of Vishnu, Ganesha and other divinities.
Getting there: Close by to Ajanta, Anwa Temple can be reached by taking a well-marked diversion at Golegaon. Private car or taxi is probably the best mode of transport.

If one is to draw a line between Kanyakumari and Ujjain, Parali village can be clearly seen on that line. This village is located on the slopes of Meru or Naganarayana Mountain. Parali is an ancient village located near three rivers, Brahma, Venu and Saraswati, because of the presence of one of the twelve JyotirLingas of Shankara, it has become famous. This village is also known as Kantipur, Madhyarekha Vaijayanti or Jayanti. It is 26 kilometers from Ambejogai in the Beed district.

Yogeshwari of Ambejogai was married to Lord Vaidyanatha of Parali. But by the time the marriage party reached, the auspicious time of the wedding had passed. As a result the people of the marriage party turned into stone statues. Yogeshwari was waiting away from Parali. This is one story that is frequently heard there.

When the Gods and Demons made their combined effort in Amrit Manthan (Churning for Nectar), fourteen gems emerged. There were Dhanwantari and Amrit Ratnas in it. When the Demons rushed to grab Amrit, Lord Vishnu hid the Amrit and Dhanwantari in the Shiva Linga of Lord Shankara. Just as the Demons tried to touch the Linga, flames started emanating from the Linga. The scared Demons ran aay. But when devotees of Lord Shankara touched the Linga, there was a free flow of Amrit from the same. Even today, devotees touch the Shiva Linga as a part of taking Darshan. Here, there is no discrimination between caste, creed or color. Anyone can come and visit this place. As the Lingamurthy is supposed to have Amrit and Dhanvantari, it is also known as Amriteshwar and Dhanvantari.

The twelve jyotirlingas are the most significant places of pilgrimage for Hindus in India. Five of them happen to be in Maharashtra. Shiva has been worshipped in these places for centuries. Aundha-Nagnath is one of them. Anudha Nagnath is in the Hingoli District.

This pilgrim center is of great significance, since it is considered to be the Eighth (adya), of the 12 jyotirlingas. It is believed that Dharmraj (eldest of Pandav) has constructed this beautiful temple while they were expelled for 14 years from Hastinapur.

The temple of Nagnath has exquisite carvings. The temple is of Hemadpanthi architecture and is situated in about 60,000 sq. ft area. Large number of pilgrims visit this temple on shivratri and Vijayadashmi.

Takhat Sachkhand Shri Hazur Abchalnagar Sahib is the main Gurudwara of Nanded and is one of the four High seats of Authority of the sikhs. This is the place where Shri GuruGobind Singhji breathed his last. The Gurudwara is situated in Nanded Town.

The Gurudwara was built by Maharaja Ranjit Singhji, The great Ruler of Punjab between 1830 to 1839 A.D. Inside the Gurudwara, which contains the mortal remains of the 10th Guru, there are exhibited a number of weapons of various kinds.

Museum buffs in India might have heard of technological museums and Railway museums but only a few might have heard of the Cavalry Tank Museum of the Armoured Corps Centre and School, Ahmednagar, the first of its kind in Asia. The museum has a rich collection of tanks used during different periods. Indeed, what the ship is to the Navy and the airplane is to the Air Force, tank is to the Army. Former Army Chief (late) Gen BC Joshi-a tankman himself-inaugurated this museum in 1994.

The earliest tanks-the British Mark I were used during World War I. Nicknamed Big Willie and fitted with a tractor engine, Mark-I was an effective weapon in battle because it could cross trenches and literally take the battle into the enemy camp.
The museum traces the evolution of the modern-day tank using an assortment of displays like armoured cars, reconnaissance vehicles and light tanks. It has a model

belonging to the class of armoured cars that General Dwyer used to enter Amritsar’s Jallianwala Bagh. The 1934 armoured car Schmerer Panzersphah Wagen (8-RAD) donning a 'swastik’, a vital component of Adolf Hitler's fleet, transports the visitors to the Nazi era of Europe. Many of the tanks on display at the museum were originally German and Japanese tanks captured during World War II. Pakistani tanks like Chaffee, Walker-Bulldog and Patton that took part in 1965 and 1971 are were also on display here. The rest of the 40 tanks are vehicles that served the Indian Army’s Armoured Corps right from its earliest years. All stand as a mute testimony to the glorious tradition of the mechanised armour since World War I.

The Jama Masjid at Aurangabad was built by Aurangzeb. It situated in the center of a grove of trees in Killa Arrack. The Masjid has a low building with minarets and a broad band. This broad band is carved with Koranic inscriptions written through the length of the facade.

Around 30 Mins by road from Nashik Road railway station. There is one wonderful museum Gargoti - the mineral museum. It contains different types of minerals found in & outside India. Speciallity of this museum is that each mineral displayed is different from the other. Regular ST buses run from the adjacent ST depot to Sinnar Town. Some buses halt at the Industrial Area while other will drop you at Sinnar Town from where you can take a rikshaw for around Rs. 75 - RS. 100. It falls on the Nashik - Shirdi highway.

The third Nizam Shah, Hussain, who ascended the throne in 1553 AD, found himself constantly at war with his neighbours. Six years after his ascension, he was besieged by Ram Raja, the king of Vijaynagar. He decided to strengthen the mud edifice created by his grandfather, which he had been using as a fort.

A team of Portuguese engineers was commissioned, and they created what is seen of the Ahmednagar fort today.

Over a mile in circumference, it was built from rock hewn out of the moat, almost 200 feet wide and twenty feet deep. The duke of Wellington, who captured the fort in 1803, considered it one of the strongest forts he had ever seen.

In 1942 Pandit Nehru and other Indian leaders were incarcerated within the walls of the fort. Pandit Nehru wrote famous book ‘Discovery of India’ during this period.