Aurangabad

Aurangabad, founded by Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb in 1610, is the gateway to two UNESCO World Heritage sites: the Ajanta and Ellora caves. The city boasts a rich history dating back to the 2nd century BCE, with stunning cave paintings and carvings from Buddhist, Hindu, and Jain traditions. It offers a slower, more affordable alternative to Mumbai, with historic gates, markets, and a temperate climate.

Aurangabad is well connected by air, rail, and road. Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar Airport (IXU) has flights from Mumbai and Delhi via Air India and Indigo. The railway station (code: CPSN) has direct trains from Mumbai (6.5 hours, sleeper ₹1140), Delhi, Hyderabad, Pune, and others. Long-distance buses arrive at Central Bus Stand from Mumbai (₹250-850), Pune, Nagpur, and other cities. Local MSRTC buses connect to nearby attractions.

Intra-city transport includes AMT municipal buses, metered auto-rickshaws, and taxis. Buses are cost-effective and cover the city and outskirts. For nearby attractions like Ellora, MSRTC buses are available from Central Bus Station. Auto-rickshaws are convenient for shorter distances; negotiate fares beforehand.

The best time to visit is winter from November to February, with average temperatures 10-22°C and low humidity. Summers (March-May) are hot up to 45°C but nights are pleasant. Monsoon (June-October) brings moderate rainfall and humidity. The winter season is most comfortable for sightseeing.

Aurangabad offers a range of accommodation from budget to splurge. Budget hotels (<₹1500) cluster near the railway station and city center, with dorms at Hotel Manmandir (₹300 per head) and Zostel (from ₹449). Mid-range hotels (₹1500-3000) are distributed across the city, while luxury options (₹3000+) are near the airport. Most hotels are tourist-friendly.

Local street food is popular, with Gayatri Chaat Bhandaar serving deep-fried snacks like kachoris and samosas from 6:30 PM. For drinks, upscale hotels have bars; avoid cheap-looking bars for safety. The city also has organic food markets on Fridays at Shree Mangal Karyalaya near Kranti Chowk.

Must-see attractions include the Bibi ka Maqbara (₹200), a replica of the Taj Mahal; the Aurangabad Caves (₹200) with intricate carvings; and Pan Chakki, a 17th-century water mill. The Siddharth Garden and Zoo offer a relaxing picnic spot. Day trips to Ajanta (90 km, entry ₹40/₹600) and Ellora (30 km) are essential.

Aurangabad is generally safe, but avoid isolated lanes after dark and do not display large currency notes. Beware of pickpockets at crowded places. Women can travel safely on buses at night; request a ladies' seat. Emergency numbers: police 100, fire 101, ambulance 102.

A budget traveler can expect dorm beds from ₹300-449, meals from ₹100-200 at street stalls, and local buses for a few rupees. Daily budget around ₹1000-1500 for budget hotels and food. Mid-range hotels cost ₹1500-3000 per night.

Popular onward destinations include Ahmednagar, Ellora, Hyderabad, Indore, Kolhapur, Nagpur, Nashik, Paithan, Pune, Shirdi (144 km), and Solapur. Also consider Mhaismaal hill station and Shani Shingnapur, a temple dedicated to the Hindu god Shani.