A weekend in Aurangabad
We love Aurangabad, because we are from Auranagbad. So, it is highly important for us, that you love it too. And, here is our list of things that one must do in Aurangabad to get the full flavour of the city.
- Hire a car: First and foremost, you will need a car to check out all the major sites in the city and to do a day trip to Ajanta caves.
- Start Early: On day 1, Wake up early in the morning. Yes, no lingering around or sleeping in. Our monuments get hot and crowded very early in the day. So be sure to be out by seven at the latest.
- Plan your day: Start with a hike up to the top of Daulatabad fort. Then move over to the Ellora caves. Remember, you cannot see all the caves, so pick a sample of caves based on a little booklet on sale outside the Ellora caves and aim at covering those.
- Added attractions: Finally check out the Grishneshwar temple which is further ahead of Ellora on the same road. On your way back into Aurangabad, at stop Aurangzeb’s tomb at Khuldabad. All these attractions are along one highway that goes in and out of Aurangabad so finding them will not be a problem. You can also buy fresh fruits along the highway.
- When back in the city, enjoy a glass of juice at Lucky Juice center or Pakeezah if you are here in the summers. Have a meal of Rajasthani thali at Bhoj or Eklavya. And wrap up the day with paan at Tara pan center
On Day 2 you can explore the Ajanta caves, which are 108 kilometers from the city. It is possible to visit the caves and return the same day back to Aurangabad, as there are not much options to stay and eat around the caves.
On either of the days, when you are little exhausted, add a visit to Bibi ka maqbara to your list of sights to see. The walk at the sunset in the gardens of the mausoleum, referred to as the poor man’s Taj Mahal, is very relaxing.
Best time to go:
- September to January is the best time to go. By this the rains are over and it is not very cold here while there are winters in the North of India.
- If you want to enjoy the mango season, go in May and June. It is very hot, but we find the whole city coloured in the yellow of ripe mangoes
- If you enjoy the rains, go in July and August to all the sights listed above wrapped in lush green