Excursions :

Ellora
The world-heritage listed cave temple of Ellora, about 30km from Aurangabad , are the culmination of Deccan rock-cut architecture. There are 34 caves cut out of the sloping side of the low hill. Another 28 caves have been discovered later by the archeological Survey of India. The masterpiece of Ellora is the Kailash Temple . It is the world's largest monolithic sculpture, sculpted out of a rock by 7000 labourers over a 150 year period. The shrines are not exclusively Buddhist, but of Hindu and Jain faiths as well. Entry to Ellora is free.

Daulatbad
13 Km between Aurangabad and the Ellora caves is the magnificent hilltop fortress of Daulatbad. The fort built by Bhilam Raja of the Yadava dynasty in 1187 was earlier called Deogiri. This fort is considered as one of the oldest existing and impregnable forts of India. One of its attractions is the tower, Chand Minar.

Khuldabad
A walled town just 3km from Ellora. It is the holy shrine of Deccan Muslims. The austere tomb of Emperor Aurangazeb is situated here. There is also a Mughal garden nearby, called Bani Begum Ka Bagh.

Grihneshwar Temple
30 km from Aurangabad near the Ellora caves, it is one of the 12 Jyotirlinga shrines dedicated to Lord Shiva and sacred to Hindus. A fair is held here around March each year on Mahashivaratri day.

Paithan
56km (South of Aurangabad ). The ancient city of Pratishthan, now known as Paithan, was the seat of the Satvahana dynasty who ruled from 2nd century BC to 2nd century AD. Situated on the banks of the sacred river Godavari , the little town is famous for its Shrine of 'Sant Eknath' which lends it special spiritual ambience. Every year on Nath Shastri which usually falls in the month of March, a big fair is held called 'Paithan Yatra' which last about 10 days. People from far and near come to pay their homage to Sant Eknath.

Paithan, which was once an important seat of learning, is also famous for its beautiful silk saris which sport intricately embroidered gold or silver borders called 'Paithani'.