Things to Do in Aurangabad (Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar): Ajanta, Ellora & Mughal Heritage

Explore Ellora

Ellora, about 30 km away, has 34 caves carved between about the 6th and 10th centuries: Buddhist, Hindu and Jain monuments side by side. The highlight is Cave 16, the Kailasa temple, carved from a single rock from the top down, a colossal temple with courtyards, elephants and towers. The Buddhist Vishvakarma cave and the Jain caves are also superb. Ellora is closed on Tuesdays.

Time needed

Half day to full day

Good to know

Closed on Tuesdays

Ajanta and Ellora guide

See the Ajanta murals

Ajanta, about 100 km north, has around 30 Buddhist caves cut into a horseshoe-shaped cliff above the Waghur river, from about the 2nd century BCE to the 5th century CE. Their paintings of the Buddha's life and Jataka tales, including the famous Padmapani, are among the finest surviving ancient paintings in the world. Buses run from the visitor centre to the caves. Ajanta is closed on Mondays.

Time needed

Full day

Good to know

Closed on Mondays; lighting is dim to protect the paintings

Visit Bibi ka Maqbara

Bibi ka Maqbara, built in the 1660s by Aurangzeb's son Azam Shah in memory of his mother Dilras Banu Begum, is modelled on the Taj Mahal and often called the Taj of the Deccan. It is smaller, with marble only in parts, but the setting in Mughal gardens is lovely.

Time needed

1 hour

Best time

Late afternoon

See the Aurangabad Caves

The Aurangabad Caves, on a hillside behind Bibi ka Maqbara, are Buddhist caves from around the 6th and 7th centuries with fine sculptures of bodhisattvas and female figures. They are usually quiet and give views over the city.

Visit Panchakki

Panchakki is a 17th-century water mill powered by water brought through underground channels from the hills. It stands in a garden near the shrine of the Sufi saint Baba Shah Musafir.

Walk through the gates and markets

The city was known for its 52 gates, several of which survive. The old bazaars sell Himroo shawls, Paithani saris and bidriware.

Climb Daulatabad Fort

Daulatabad (Devagiri), about 15 km away on the road to Ellora, is a hill fort on a conical rock surrounded by a moat. Muhammad bin Tughlaq moved his capital here from Delhi in the 14th century. A dark tunnel, the Chand Minar and several gates and walls make the climb to the top memorable.

Time needed

2–3 hours

Good to know

Steep climb; carry a torch

Visit Grishneshwar Jyotirlinga

The Grishneshwar Temple, near Ellora, is one of the twelve Jyotirlingas, rebuilt in the 18th century by Ahilyabai Holkar in red stone with fine carvings. Men must remove shirts to enter the sanctum.

See Aurangzeb's tomb at Khuldabad

At Khuldabad, near Ellora, the Mughal emperor Aurangzeb is buried in a simple open grave, as he wished, in the complex of a Sufi saint's dargah.

See Paithani weaving at Paithan

Paithan, about 55 km south, is the home of the Paithani silk sari with its peacock and lotus motifs. Weavers' workshops and the Paithani centre show the craft.

Eat naan qalia

Naan qalia, a mutton curry with naan, is the city's signature dish, traced back to the Mughal army's kitchens. Try it in the old city.

Good for

Food lovers

October to March

Pleasant weather for the caves and fort climbs; the most popular time.

April to June

Very hot; visit the caves early in the morning.

July to September

The monsoon brings waterfalls at Ajanta and green hills, a lovely time if you do not mind the rain.

What are the best things to do in Aurangabad?

See the Ajanta murals and Ellora's Kailasa temple, visit Bibi ka Maqbara, climb Daulatabad Fort, see the Aurangabad Caves and Panchakki, visit Grishneshwar and eat naan qalia.

Is Aurangabad now called Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar?

Yes. The city was officially renamed Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar in 2023.

Can Ajanta and Ellora be done in one day?

It is possible but rushed, as they are in opposite directions. A day for each is much better.

When are Ajanta and Ellora closed?

Ajanta is closed on Mondays and Ellora on Tuesdays.