Landmarks in Aurangabad (Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar)
- 01
Ambazari Lake
A scenic lake with a bund walk and gardens, where locals come to exercise and families spend weekends. The setting is pleasant, and the walk is good for those who want outdoor time without climbing.
- Time needed
- 1–1.5 hours
- Walking
- Easy
- Best time
- Early morning for walkers and joggers; late afternoon for families and photographers
- Tickets
- No entry fee. The lake is public and the bund is open to all. Some facilities like food stalls are seasonal.
- 02
Aurangabad Caves
A smaller complex of 10 Buddhist caves cut into a hillside, less famous than Ajanta but equally ancient, with well-preserved sculptures and carvings.
- Time needed
- 1.5–2 hours at the site
- Walking
- Moderate
- Best time
- Morning when light is soft and the site is less crowded
- Tickets
- Ticketed entry with modest fees. A guide is helpful for understanding the sculptures, though the site is small enough to navigate independently.
- 03
Bibi Ka Maqbara
A white marble mausoleum built by Mughal emperor Aurangzeb in memory of his wife Dilras Banu Begum, often called the Taj Mahal of the Deccan.
- Time needed
- 45 minutes to 1.5 hours
- Walking
- Easy
- Best time
- Morning when the marble is bright and gardens are calm; late afternoon for softer light
- Tickets
- Ticketed entry with different rates for Indian and foreign visitors. Check the current fee on the state tourism website or at the gate.
- 04
Chhota Taj
A small tomb with domes and minarets in the style of the Taj Mahal, built for a queen. It sits in old Aurangabad and is called the Little Taj Mahal.
- Time needed
- 20–30 minutes
- Walking
- Easy
- Best time
- Morning light brings out the stone colour; late afternoon gives warm sidelight
- Tickets
- Ticketed entry with different Indian and foreign rates. Check current fees at the gate.
- 05
Jama Mosque
A 17th-century Indo-Islamic mosque in the heart of the old city bazaar, with a wide courtyard and elegant architecture reflecting Mughal style.
- Time needed
- 20–45 minutes
- Walking
- Easy
- Best time
- Morning or late afternoon when it is cooler; avoid the main prayer times (dawn, noon, late afternoon) unless you want to observe devotion
- Tickets
- There is no entry fee. Footwear is left at the counter. Photography may be restricted in the prayer hall; check the signage.
- 06
Mecca Masjid
A 17th-century mosque in Aurangabad with a large courtyard and arched portico. It is an active place of worship and one of the city's important Islamic monuments.
- Time needed
- 20–30 minutes
- Walking
- Easy
- Best time
- Mid-morning on a non-prayer day; avoid the five daily prayer times
- Tickets
- No entry fee. This is an active mosque. Respect prayer times and ask permission before entering the prayer hall, especially if you are not Muslim.
- 07
Panchakki
A historic water mill built by the Mughal governor in the 17th century, powered by an underground spring and channel, and set in a peaceful garden.
- Time needed
- 30–45 minutes
- Walking
- Easy
- Best time
- Morning when the light is soft and the garden is cool; avoid midday
- Tickets
- Ticketed entry with modest fees. Check the current rate at the gate or with the tourism office.
- 08
Rauza of Aurangzeb
The tomb and mosque complex where the Mughal emperor Aurangzeb is buried, a simple stone structure in a quiet compound. It stands in sharp contrast to his opulence in life.
- Time needed
- 30–45 minutes at the site, plus travel
- Walking
- Easy
- Best time
- Morning or late afternoon; midday is very hot
- Tickets
- No entry fee to the tomb. Photography inside the tomb chamber is sometimes restricted. Dress respectfully; it is an active mosque complex.
- 09
Salim Ali Lake
A birdwatcher's lake in the city with a mosque on its banks, named after India's greatest ornithologist. It is the quietest spot in Aurangabad for a walk or morning visit.
- Time needed
- 45 minutes to 1.5 hours
- Walking
- Easy
- Best time
- Early morning for birdwatching (October to March); weekday afternoons are peaceful
- Tickets
- No entry fee. The path is open to the public, used by local walkers and joggers. Respect that this is also a working mosque on the banks.
Day trips in Aurangabad (Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar)
- 10
Ajanta Caves
A UNESCO World Heritage site of 30 Buddhist cave temples carved into a horseshoe cliff, featuring some of India's finest ancient rock art and sculptures from the 2nd century BCE to 5th century CE.
- Time needed
- 5–6 hours including travel
- Walking
- Moderate
- Best time
- October to March; avoid the monsoon (June to September) when paths are wet and slippery
- Tickets
- Ticketed entry; check the official site or state tourism board for current fees for Indian and foreign visitors. A guide is strongly recommended and worth the extra cost.
- 11
Ellora Caves
A sacred site of 34 Hindu, Buddhist and Jain rock-cut caves spanning 6 centuries, crowned by the magnificent Kailash Temple, carved from a single hillside.
- Time needed
- 4–5 hours at the site, plus 1 hour travel
- Walking
- Moderate
- Best time
- October to March; avoid May, June and monsoon when the site is very hot or slippery
- Tickets
- Ticketed entry with separate rates for Indian and foreign visitors. A guide is highly recommended. Check the official ASI site or state tourism for current fees.
- 12
Khuldabad
A small hillside village near Ellora Caves, revered as a sacred Islamic pilgrimage site and the burial place of several Sufi saints and the Mughal emperor Aurangzeb.
- Time needed
- 1–1.5 hours at Khuldabad, plus 45 minutes travel from the city
- Walking
- Moderate
- Best time
- Morning or late afternoon when it is cooler and quieter; avoid Friday afternoons when mosques are most crowded
- Tickets
- There is no entry fee for the pilgrimage sites. Modest donations are welcome. Respect active shrines: remove shoes, dress modestly and do not photograph worshippers without permission.
Temples in Aurangabad (Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar)
- 13
Grishneshwar Temple
An ancient Shaivite temple dedicated to Lord Shiva, one of the 12 Jyotirlingas (most sacred Shiva shrines) and a pilgrimage site for centuries.
- Time needed
- 1.5–2 hours including travel
- Walking
- Moderate
- Best time
- Early morning (6–8 am) when it is quieter and aarti is happening; avoid festival days unless you want the full devotional experience
- Tickets
- There is no entry fee for darshan. Donations are accepted. Some temples require removing footwear and may ask for a small donation for shoe storage. Phones and cameras may be restricted in certain areas; check the signage.
- 14
Padmavati Cave Temple
A rock-cut cave shrine dedicated to the goddess Padmavati, carved into a hillside with carved pillars and a small sanctum. It is quiet and receives few tourists.
- Time needed
- 30–45 minutes
- Walking
- Moderate
- Best time
- Morning or late afternoon; midday is very hot on the open hillside
- Tickets
- Generally no entry fee, though a donation to the temple is appreciated. Check locally on the day of visit for any changes.
Gardens and parks in Aurangabad (Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar)
- 15
Himayat Bagh
A Mughal-style garden laid out in the 17th century with geometric pathways, water channels and flowering plants, a peaceful retreat within the city.
- Time needed
- 30–45 minutes
- Walking
- Easy
- Best time
- Early morning when it is cool and flowers are fresh; avoid midday heat
- Tickets
- Free entry or a modest fee; check at the gate.
- 16
Protem Bagh
A Mughal-style garden in the city with water channels, planted areas and walking paths. It is a peaceful spot where local families spend afternoons.
- Time needed
- 30–60 minutes
- Walking
- Easy
- Best time
- Late afternoon when families gather; early morning for a solitary walk
- Tickets
- Ticketed entry with small fees for Indian and foreign visitors. Check current rates at the gate. Some facilities inside are separate.
Forts in Aurangabad (Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar)
- 17
Daulatabad Fort
A 14th-century fortress perched on a conical hill, built as the capital-in-waiting for the Delhi sultanate, with dramatic ramparts and an underground chamber.
- Time needed
- 2–2.5 hours at the fort, plus travel
- Walking
- Demanding
- Best time
- October to March; early morning for cooler walking and clearer views
- Tickets
- Ticketed entry with different rates for Indian and foreign visitors. The site is managed by the Archaeological Survey of India. Check current fees at the gate or on the ASI website.
Museums in Aurangabad (Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar)
- 18
Marathwada Art & History Museum
A museum in Aurangabad city displaying sculptures, manuscripts, miniature paintings and decorative objects from the region's history, from ancient times through the medieval period.
- Time needed
- 1–1.5 hours
- Walking
- Easy
- Best time
- Afternoon; the building is cool and indoors, making it ideal for a midday break
- Tickets
- Ticketed entry with different Indian and foreign rates. Photography may be restricted in some galleries. Check current fees and rules at the entrance.
Palaces in Aurangabad (Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar)
- 19
Soneri Mahal
A golden-hued palace built by a Mughal-era noble, with painted walls and delicate stone carving. It sits in the city as a surviving example of late medieval palatial architecture.
- Time needed
- 30–45 minutes
- Walking
- Moderate
- Best time
- Morning light shows the painted walls best; avoid midday heat
- Tickets
- Entry fees vary and the site's status changes; check locally on the day. Some sections may be under restoration or limited access.
