Aurangabad sits at the heart of Maharashtra's Deccan, an old Mughal garrison town that has become famous not for itself but for what surrounds it—the Ajanta and Ellora caves, among the world's greatest achievements of rock-cut architecture. The city itself rewards a slower visit than most guide books suggest. Founded in 1610 and later made the Mughal capital of the Deccan, it still holds the Bibi Ka Maqbara, a tomb often called the Taj Mahal's distant cousin, alongside quieter Sufi shrines, a thriving silk-weaving tradition and bazaars that recall the city's trading past.
Most travellers move through Aurangabad quickly, using it as a base for Ajanta and Ellora. But if you pause here for two or three days, you will find a mid-sized city where the rhythm is slower than Mumbai or Pune, where families can navigate without overwhelming crowds, and where a hotel in the quieter areas offers genuine respite. The Grishneshwar Temple, the smallest of India's twelve Jyotirlingas, draws pilgrims year-round; Panchakki, a Sufi saint's shrine with an underground mechanical water mill, tells a story of Indo-Islamic learning and engineering that many visitors miss entirely.
For older travellers and multi-generational families, Aurangabad offers a gentler pace than many Indian cities, good hospital facilities and restaurants that cater to various tastes. The caves—Ajanta especially—require early starts and stamina, but the city itself is easier on the body. Hire a reliable car and driver for the three-day loop through Aurangabad, the caves and Khuldabad, the historic village where Aurangzeb died. It is one of India's most underrated itineraries.
Before you plan
Know Aurangabad (Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar) at a glance
- Best months
- October to March; November to February is most comfortable. April to June is very hot (35–45°C), and July to September brings heavy monsoon rain.
- Ideal trip length
- 3 days for the city and nearby Khuldabad; 4–5 days if adding Ajanta and Ellora, which each need a full day or more.
- Nearest airport
- Aurangabad Airport (IXL) is roughly 10–15 minutes by road from the city. Major flights connect to Mumbai, Delhi, Hyderabad and Bangalore.
- Railway station
- Aurangabad Junction is the main station; it has express and local trains to Mumbai, Pune, Parbani and other regional centres. Some trains also connect to Hyderabad and Chennai.
- Getting around
- A private car and driver is essential for Ajanta and Ellora; most travellers hire for 3–4 days. Auto-rickshaws are cheap and convenient within the city, but less reliable for long distances.
- Daily budget
- Roughly ₹1,500–₹3,500 per person per day excluding hotel, for local food, entry fees and shared transport; varies with car hire (₹2,000–₹3,500 per day for a car and driver).
- Senior comfort
- Good in the city; hotels and restaurants are accessible. Ajanta and Ellora involve significant walking and many steps (some steep); consult a doctor if you have mobility or heart concerns. Khuldabad is on level ground.
- Language
- Marathi is the state language; Hindi widely spoken. English is understood in hotels, restaurants and at major sights; less reliable in bazaars and smaller shrines.
Prices, opening hours and weather change. Recheck live details before booking.
How many days do you have?
A Aurangabad (Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar) itinerary that leaves room for Aurangabad (Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar)
01 1 day in Aurangabad (Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar)
- Day 1: City landmarks and silk bazaars. Start at Bibi Ka Maqbara in the early morning, spend an hour inside the mausoleum and its gardens, then move to the Jama Mosque and the old bazaars for a walk through the silk-weaving lanes. Stop at a traditional Marathi breakfast spot such as one in Aurangpura. In the afternoon, visit the Grishneshwar Temple (about 30 km south, roughly 1.5 hours by road), see the Jyotirlinga and return to the city by evening. If time allows, visit Panchakki before sunset, a small shrine with a water mill and quiet courtyard. End with dinner at a local restaurant serving traditional Aurangabadi dishes.
02 2 days in Aurangabad (Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar)
- Day 1: Bibi Ka Maqbara, bazaars and Panchakki. Spend the morning at Bibi Ka Maqbara, touring the marble tomb and gardens. Walk into the surrounding old city lanes and browse silk-weaving stalls and textile shops. Have lunch at a quiet restaurant away from the main bazaar. In the late afternoon, visit Panchakki, the water mill shrine of the Sufi saint Baba Shah Musafir, spending an hour in its peaceful courtyard. Return for dinner.
- Day 2: Grishneshwar Temple and Khuldabad. Leave early for Grishneshwar Temple, 30 km south of the city. Spend the morning at the temple and nearby viewpoint, then drive to Khuldabad, a historic village about 30 km away. Visit the shrines of several Sufi saints, the Chhota Taj (a smaller mausoleum), and the burial place of Emperor Aurangzeb. Return to Aurangabad by late afternoon.
03 3 days in Aurangabad (Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar)
- Day 1: Bibi Ka Maqbara and old city. Visit Bibi Ka Maqbara at opening time, spend two hours inside and in the gardens, then walk into the old bazaars and silk-weaving lanes. Stop at a local snack shop for kachori or chikhalwali. In the afternoon, visit Panchakki and rest, then have dinner in the old city area.
- Day 2: Ellora Caves day trip. Hire a car early and drive roughly 30 km to Ellora. Spend the morning and afternoon exploring the Hindu and Buddhist caves, with particular focus on the Kailasa Temple (Cave 16), the largest rock-cut temple in the world. The site is vast; pace yourself and take breaks. Return to Aurangabad by evening.
- Day 3: Grishneshwar Temple and Khuldabad. Drive south to Grishneshwar Temple, spend an hour there, then continue to Khuldabad. Visit the Sufi shrine complexes, the Chhota Taj and the historical burial sites. Explore the winding lanes and old havelis (mansions) of the village. Return to Aurangabad in the late afternoon or early evening.
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