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Location of Aurangabad
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Aurangabad is the main hub for tourists visiting
Ajanta and Ellora caves. Aurangabad was founded by Aurangzeb, the Mughal emperor,
and it was named after him. Located on the Kham river, the city fulfils all
the needs and requirements of the tourist heading to Ajanta and Ellora.
In the city, there are three museums housing the art treasures of the region
-- the Sunheri Mahal Museum, the University Museum and the Chhatrapati
Shivaji Museum. You can also while away the hours in the pleasant confines
of the Bani Begum Gardens.
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HOW
TO REACH
By Air - Aurangabad Airport is well connected by regular flights to Mumbai
and New Delhi.
By Rail - Jalgaon is a convenient railhead on Central Railway i.e. 59 kms
from Ajanta.
By Road - Mumbai and Ajanta is just 491 kms. via Jalgaon. Mumbai-Ajanta,
487kms. via Manmad. Mumbai-Ajanta, 499 kms. Via Pune. State Transport and
luxury buses run from Aurangabad and Jalgaon to Ajanta.
WHEN TO GO
The best time to visit Ajanta and Ellora is between October to March,
although you can visit all round the year.
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WHAT TO SEE
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The city has three museums i.e. Sunheri Mahal Museum,
University Museum and Chhatrapati Shivaji Museum. Another
interesting place is the Bani Begum Gardens.
Ajanta Caves - The Ajanta caves consist of 30
Caves including the unfinished ones, dating back from 200 BC to 250 AD.
These caves are situated 104 kms from Aurangabad and 52 kms from Jalgaon
Railway Station. The caves are cut from the volcanic lava of the Deccan
in the forest ravines of the Sahyadri Hills and are set in beautiful
sylvan surroundings.
Ellora Caves - Ellora is the finest example of
cave temples with almost 34 caves with intricate interiors and
ornamental facades. Carved during the 350 A.D. and 700 A.D., the rock
temples and monasteries represent three faiths - Hinduism, Buddhism and
Jainism. |
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All the carvings are done in more than one level. The lower storey consists
of several large shrines while the gallery along
the three sides at the rear contains huge sculpted panels. A two-storeyed
gateway on the west side provides access to the
main temple and the Nandi Mandapa, both on the same level, and is
approximately seven meters high. The lower storey of the
main temple as well as the Nandi Shrine are solid and cannot be entered.
Stone bridges carved from the living rock connect
the Nandi pavilion and the entrance porch of the temple. The main temple has
a southern style superstructure. The lower
storey has almost life-size elephants carved as if they are holding up the
temple. The Jaina Caves (30 to 34) are massive, well-proportioned, decorated and
mark the last phase of the activity at Ellora.
WHERE TO EAT
There are so many good restaurants with different delicacies, and all the
major hotels has their own specialty restaurant and bar.
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