Heritage of Aurangabad

Following a warm reception at the airport with fresh floral garlands by a representative or guide, guests will be transferred to their hotel. The representative will assist with check-in procedures upon your arrival at hotel. (Check-in times differ by hotel, but are typically between 1400 and 1500 hours.)

Overnight at the hotel. 

Breakfast at the hotel. Proceed for sightseeing of Ellora Caves & local Aurangabad City Tour. 

Ellora Caves, these 34 monasteries and temples, extending over more than 2 km, were dug side by side in the wall of a high basalt cliff, not far from Aurangabad, in Maharashtra. Ellora, with its uninterrupted sequence of monuments dating from A.D. 600 to 1000, brings the civilization of ancient India to life. Not only is the Ellora complex a unique artistic creation and a technological exploit but, with its sanctuaries devoted to Buddhism, Hinduism and Jainism, it illustrates the spirit of tolerance that was characteristic of ancient India.  

Situated about 3 km from the city is Bibi Ka Maqbara, the burial place of Aurangzeb’s wife, Rabia-ud-Durrani. It is an imitation of the Taj at Agra, and, due to its similar design, it is popularly known as the Mini Taj of the Deccan. Panchakki, a water mill, is located in Aurangabad, Maharashtra, displays the scientific thought process put in medieval Indian architecture. It was designed to generate energy via water brought down from a spring on a mountain. Nestled in the Sihaychal Ranges near Aurangabad in the state of Maharashtra, Aurangabad Caves encompass 12 visually captivating rock-cut Buddhist caves dating back to the 6th and 7th centuries. Each of the caves are home to several remarkable carvings and sculptures of Buddhist deities belonging to the Tantra tradition.

Overnight at the hotel in Aurangabad. 

Breakfast at the hotel. Same day excursion to Ajanta Caves. 

Ajanta caves are at a distance of 99 km from Maharashtra’s Aurangabad district. It is believed that Ajanta caves started carving from 2nd century BC and ended at 6th century AD. The entire course of the evolution of Buddhist architecture can be traced in Ajanta. Images interpreting the life stories of Buddha and animal figures were carved out from the huge rocks. Everything including the contemporary people, kings, slaves, women, men and children are seen in the Ajanta wall paintings interlaced with flowers, plants, fruits, birds and beasts. There are also the figures of yakshas, kinneras (half human and half bird) gandharvas (divine musicians), apsaras (heavenly dancers), which were of concern to the people of that time.

The total number of caves including the unfinished one is thirty of which five (9, 10, 19, 26 and 29) are Chaitya-Grihas and the rest are Sangharamas or Viharas (monasteries). The caves 1, 2, 16 and 17 can be rated amongst the greatest artistic works of human art.

Note: Ajanta Caves are closed on Mondays

Overnight at the hotel in Aurangabad. 

Breakfast at the hotel. Departure transfer to airport for flight back home or onwards destination.