Maharashtra-Aurangabad

Bibi Ka Maqbara

About

Bibi Ka Maqbara is situated about 5 kms from the Aurangabad city, the burial place of Aurangzeb wife, Rabia-Durrani. Aurangzeb’s son built this monument in 1679 AD in memory of his mother Rabia-Durrani. It is an imitation of the Taj Mahal (among 7 new wonders of world) at Agra, it is also called as "poor man's Taj Mahal" owing to it being a poor replica of the Taj. Behind the tomb is located a small archeological museum.

 

The comparison with the Agra monument has unfortunately somewhat degraded the Aurangabad tomb which in itself displays a worthwhile architectural design, with much distinguished surface ornamentation in the late Mughal style.

• Hill Station: False
• Religus: False
• Honeymoon: False
• SeeBeach: False

 

 

 

Panchakki

About

History

Most of the buildings in the dargah complex (including Panchakki) were erected by Turktaz Khan, a noble on the staff of Nizam-ul-Mulk Asaf Jah in about 1695 A. D. The oblong reservoir in front of the mosque and fountains were added 20 years later by Jamil Beg Khan. Dating back to the 17th century, this ingenious water mill was designed to use the energy generated by flowing water from a nearby spring to turn the large grinding stones of the flourmill. Shah Mosafar died in Hijri 1110. This water mill was used to grind grain for the pilgrims and disciples of saints as well as for the troops of the garrison.

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• Religus: False
• Honeymoon: False
• SeeBeach: False

 

 

Aurangabad caves

About

Aurangabad is located in a valley watered by the river Dudhna between the Sihyachal and Satara range of hills. The ancient name of Aurangabad is Khirki which means a ‘window’ or ‘entrance’. The Aurangabad caves (19°55’ N; 75°30’ E) are located on a hill running roughly east to west, nearly 2 km behind Bibi-ka-Maqbara. In all twelve Buddhist Caves are found here which fall into three separate groups depending on its location. The first group consists of caves 1 to 5, the second 6 to 9 and third 10 to 12. The caves are datable from circa 2nd – 3rd century AD to 7th century AD. The first and the second groups are separated by nearly 500 metres from each other, with the former at the western side while the latter is on the eastern side of the same hill. The third group is further east of the second group.

 

At Aurangabad, due to its proximity to the ancient trade route and close to Pratishthana (modern Paithan), the capital of Satavahanas, patronage to religious activities can be understood, even though this is not corroborated by inscriptional evidences. Here the earliest excavations (Caves 1 & 3) probably date to 2nd – 3rd century A.D. Cave 3 is in the form of a chaitya griha of the Hinayana order, albeit preserved very badly due to the nature of the rock formation. The heterogeneous rock formation here has prevented very large scale excavations. The excavators have taken much care to avoid portions where the lose rock formations were present. Cave 1 is an unfinished vihara, the ceiling of verandah has fallen down. Cave 2 is also a vihara with a shrine of Buddha at the rear.

• Hill Station: False
• Religus: False
• Honeymoon: False
• SeeBeach: False

 

 

Ajanta and Ellora Caves

About

The Ellora Caves and the Ajanta Caves are near Aurangabad in Maharashtra.

 

Chalukya and Rashtrakuta kings ruled over the Deccan from the middle of the 6th century AD to almost the end of the 12th century. The former were tolerant of all religions and, under their liberal patronage, the technique of excavating rock-cut temples reached a high degree of perfection. With the rise of the Rashtrakuta and other powers in the Deccan, there was a decline of Buddhist influence, but artistic activity continued unabated.

 

 

Rock-hewn architecture reached its zenith in western India as the Western Ghats provided suitable sites for excavation and carving. No existing caves as such were used. Thus architecture was sculpture on a mass scale. The solidity of the rock obviated the need for periodic repairs, and many of the temples are in a state of good preservation to this day.

• Hill Station: False
• Religus: False
• Honeymoon: False
• SeeBeach: False