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Aurangabad
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Aurangabad, India: explore Mughal-era monuments, Buddhist caves, Deccan cuisine and gateways to UNESCO-listed Ajanta and Ellora heritage today.

A City Shaped by the Deccan

Aurangabad, officially known as Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, lies in Maharashtra’s northern Deccan plateau, where basalt hills, dry woodland and historic trade routes frame a city of deep architectural importance. Its most recognisable monument is Bibi Ka Maqbara, an elegant seventeenth-century mausoleum often compared with the Taj Mahal, while the rock-cut Aurangabad Caves reveal an earlier Buddhist presence on the city’s northern edge. Historic gates, old waterworks and surviving palace buildings add further layers to the urban landscape.
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Beyond the City Walls

The city is also a practical base for exploring two of India’s most significant cave complexes. Ellora, with its Buddhist, Hindu and Jain sanctuaries carved into a line of basalt cliffs, is close enough for a day excursion, while Ajanta’s horseshoe-shaped gorge and celebrated Buddhist paintings require a longer journey. Within Aurangabad itself, Panchakki’s ingenious water-powered mill, the gardens of Soneri Mahal and the viewpoints around the caves offer a more measured introduction to the region’s history.

Culture, Craft and Everyday Life

Aurangabad’s cultural identity reflects Maratha, Mughal, Deccani and modern Maharashtrian influences. Its markets carry Paithani textiles, Himroo fabric and locally made metal and leather goods, while food stalls and family restaurants serve spicy Maharashtrian dishes alongside Mughlai and Deccani specialities. The city feels expansive rather than uniformly historic, but its monuments, gateways and surrounding hills create a coherent sense of place for travellers interested in architecture, archaeology and the cultural history of the Deccan.

When is the best time to visit Aurangabad?

Best: November–January · 31°C
Average daytime high and rainfall by month
MonthHigh (°C)Rainfall (mm)
January (best)313
February343
March385
April416
May438
June3715
July3420
August3418
September3315
October336
November (best)313
December (best)313

Getting to and around Aurangabad

How to get there

Aurangabad Airport, also known as Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar Airport, serves the city and is located at Chikkalthana, east of the central area; flight schedules and connections can vary, so checking current services is important. Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar railway station provides rail access to larger cities in Maharashtra and other parts of India, although journey patterns depend on the timetable. Long-distance buses and private coaches connect the city with Mumbai, Pune, Nashik, Nagpur and other regional centres. Road travel is particularly useful for reaching Ellora and Ajanta, but these sites lie outside the city and require separate planning. Local taxis and organised cars are commonly used for archaeological excursions.

Transportation

Central Aurangabad is easiest to explore by a combination of walking, auto-rickshaws, taxis and app-based or pre-booked car services where available. Distances between monuments can be considerable, and the city’s heat, traffic and broad modern roads may make walking less practical outside the historic core. Public buses serve urban routes, but visitors unfamiliar with the network may find an auto-rickshaw or arranged car more convenient for several sites in one day. A private vehicle with a driver is particularly useful for Ellora, Ajanta and other regional excursions. Agree fares before travelling by auto-rickshaw when a meter is not used, and allow extra time for traffic.

Best attractions in Aurangabad

Aurangabad’s principal attractions combine monumental architecture, archaeology and the dry landscape of the Deccan. Bibi Ka Maqbara is the city’s defining sight, with its formal gardens, domed mausoleum and long axial approach. The Aurangabad Caves, cut into a hillside north of the centre, reward visitors interested in Buddhist sculpture and rock-cut design, while Panchakki demonstrates the sophistication of historic water engineering through its mill and associated complex. Soneri Mahal, set against the hills, introduces the region’s later courtly and artistic traditions, and the old city gates offer glimpses of Aurangabad’s former fortified perimeter. Himayat Bagh provides a greener setting for a quieter pause, though its appeal is more local than monumental. Ellora and Ajanta are major excursions rather than city attractions: Ellora is close enough for a day trip, while Ajanta demands more travel and careful timing.

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Best landmarks in Aurangabad

Bibi Ka Maqbara is Aurangabad’s most recognisable architectural landmark, a late-seventeenth-century mausoleum whose central dome, minarets and garden plan recall Mughal funerary design while reflecting Deccani materials and craftsmanship. The city’s historic gates, including Delhi Gate, Bhadkal Gate and Rangeen Darwaza, mark the defensive and ceremonial structure of the former settlement; Bhadkal Gate is especially associated with the city’s early political history. Panchakki is significant not simply as a historic building but as evidence of an ingenious water-supply and milling system designed for an urban and religious complex. The Aurangabad Caves add a much earlier Buddhist layer through their halls, shrines and sculpted surfaces. Soneri Mahal, a former palace associated with regional court culture, completes the city’s principal group of architectural markers, linking domestic display and royal patronage.

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Explore Aurangabad on the map

Plan your Aurangabad trip on one map. See where the top attractions, landmarks, restaurants, bars and hotels are, find what's near where you're staying, and book hotels and experiences in a few clicks.

Neighbourhoods in Aurangabad

Best restaurants in Aurangabad

Aurangabad’s food culture reflects the meeting of Maharashtrian, Mughlai and Deccani traditions. Local menus commonly include naan or roti with rich meat gravies, biryani, kebabs and fragrant rice dishes, alongside Maharashtrian specialities such as spicy curries, bhakri, misal and snacks based on lentils or gram flour. Street stalls and modest eateries are useful places to encounter samosa, kachori, vada pav and sweet milk-based treats, while established restaurants often serve both regional vegetarian food and Mughlai-style dishes. The areas around the old city and major commercial roads contain family-run restaurants, bakeries and tea shops, although standards and payment methods vary. Paithan and the wider Marathwada region also influence the city’s home-style cooking, with millet, pulses, seasonal vegetables and assertive spice used extensively. Visitors should distinguish local Deccani flavours from generic North Indian restaurant menus.

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Best bars in Aurangabad

Aurangabad’s evening scene is relatively restrained and is concentrated around hotel lounges, restaurants, cafés and commercial areas rather than a large club district. Licensed hotel bars provide the most predictable setting for wine, beer and spirits, while cafés and dessert shops offer quieter social spaces for evenings without alcohol. The old city is more rewarding after dark for its illuminated gates, food stalls and street life than for nightclub entertainment, although visitors should remain aware of traffic and uneven pavements. Cultural programmes, seasonal celebrations and performances connected with Maharashtra’s music and theatre traditions may add variety, but schedules are changeable. Alcohol service and nightlife customs can be affected by local regulations, religious occasions and venue policies, so visitors should check current arrangements and dress appropriately in hotel and family-oriented spaces.

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Best nightclubs in Aurangabad

Aurangabad’s evening scene is relatively restrained and is concentrated around hotel lounges, restaurants, cafés and commercial areas rather than a large club district. Licensed hotel bars provide the most predictable setting for wine, beer and spirits, while cafés and dessert shops offer quieter social spaces for evenings without alcohol. The old city is more rewarding after dark for its illuminated gates, food stalls and street life than for nightclub entertainment, although visitors should remain aware of traffic and uneven pavements. Cultural programmes, seasonal celebrations and performances connected with Maharashtra’s music and theatre traditions may add variety, but schedules are changeable. Alcohol service and nightlife customs can be affected by local regulations, religious occasions and venue policies, so visitors should check current arrangements and dress appropriately in hotel and family-oriented spaces.

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Best shops in Aurangabad

Shopping in Aurangabad ranges from practical modern retail to traditional textiles and regional crafts. The old-city markets and commercial streets are useful for browsing fabrics, jewellery, leather goods, household wares, spices and sweets, while Paithani textiles associated with nearby Paithan remain among the region’s best-known traditional products. Himroo weaving, historically linked with Aurangabad’s Deccani culture, is represented in shawls, scarves and furnishing fabrics, though visitors should ask about fibre content and production methods before buying. Bidri-style metalwork and locally made souvenirs may also appear in craft shops and visitor-oriented outlets. Contemporary shopping centres provide familiar branded retail and air-conditioned browsing, but they offer less insight into local material culture. Bargaining can be customary in informal markets, whereas fixed prices are more common in established stores; keeping receipts is sensible for larger purchases.

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Aurangabad essentials

Currency and Payment
India uses the Indian rupee, with the international code INR and the symbol ₹. Cards and contactless payments are accepted at many established hotels, larger restaurants, shopping centres and visitor-oriented businesses, while smaller stalls, auto-rickshaws, local shops and some rural excursion stops may require cash. Unified Payments Interface services such as UPI are widely used domestically, but international visitors may not always be able to set them up easily. Carry modest rupee notes and use bank-operated or reputable cash machines where possible. Notify the card issuer before travelling and check whether foreign transaction fees apply; avoid exchanging large amounts at informal counters.
Safety
Normal urban precautions are appropriate in Aurangabad: keep valuables secure in crowded markets and transport areas, use reputable transport, and take care on busy roads where traffic can be unpredictable. At monuments and caves, wear suitable footwear, remain behind barriers and follow instructions around uneven rock surfaces and exposed edges. Heat and dehydration can be significant, particularly during the warmer months, so carry water and protect yourself from the sun. Visitors travelling to Ajanta or Ellora should confirm their return transport rather than assuming late services will be available. Respect personal space and ask permission before photographing residents, workers or religious activity.
Emergency Situations
India’s unified emergency number is 112, which can connect callers with police, fire and medical assistance; ambulance services can also be reached through 108 in many parts of the country. International visitors should keep their accommodation address, passport details and travel-insurance information accessible, and ask hotel staff or a local guide to assist if language or location details become difficult. For urgent medical needs, use an established hospital or clinic and contact the insurer promptly. At remote cave sites, assistance may take longer than in the city, so carry water, essential medicines and a charged phone. Confirm current local procedures on arrival, as service arrangements can change.
Do's and Don'ts
Dress modestly when visiting religious buildings, mausoleums and villages, with shoulders and knees covered where local custom suggests; remove footwear when required and follow signs about photography. Do not climb on carvings, touch paintings or cross protective barriers at archaeological sites. Ask permission before photographing people, especially artisans and worshippers. Eating customs vary, but washing hands before meals and accepting food with the right hand are considerate practices. Tipping is not legally required, though modest gratuities for attentive service are customary in many tourist settings. Avoid political or religious arguments, dispose of rubbish responsibly and treat historic structures as protected heritage rather than informal seating.
Local Tips
The old city gates provide a useful framework for understanding Aurangabad’s historic expansion, while Panchakki and the Bibi Ka Maqbara area can be paired with nearby sites without attempting to cover the whole city on foot. Reserve a full day for Ellora if the cave complex is to be examined carefully, and plan a separate, longer excursion to Ajanta. Local markets are useful for seeing Himroo weaving and regional food traditions, but quality and authenticity vary, so ask about materials and workmanship rather than relying on labels alone. Early starts are valuable for outdoor monuments, photography and journeys through the surrounding plateau.
Eve, your Evendo local guide

From Eve

Local phrases worth knowing

You don't need to get them perfect. A few words go a long way, and locals appreciate the effort.

6 phrase groups · English, local and pronunciation

Basics
EnglishLocalSay it
Helloनमस्कार[namaskar]
Goodbyeअलविदा[alvida]
Yesहाँ[haan]
Noनहीं[nahin]
Please/You're welcomeकृपया[krupaya]
Thank youधन्यवाद[dhanyavad]
Excuse me/Sorryक्षमा कीजिए[kshama keejiye]
How are you?आप कैसे हैं?[aap kaise hain?]
Fine. And you?ठीक हूँ। आप?[theek hoon. aap?]
Do you speak English?क्या आप अंग्रेज़ी बोलते हैं?[kya aap angrezi bolte hain?]
I don't understandमुझे समझ में नहीं आया[mujhe samajh mein nahin aaya]
Eating & Drinking
EnglishLocalSay it
I'd like to see the menu, pleaseकृपया मेनू दिखाइए[krupaya menu dikhaiye]
I don't eat meatमैं मांस नहीं खाता[main maans nahin khata]
Cheers!चियर्स![cheers!]
I would like to pay, pleaseकृपया मैं भुगतान करना चाहूँ[krupaya main bhugtan karna chaahoon]
Emergencies
EnglishLocalSay it
Help!मदद![madad!]
Go away!चले जाओ![chale jao!]
Call the Police!पुलिस को बुलाओ![police ko bulaao!]
Call a doctor!डॉक्टर को बुलाओ![doctor ko bulaao!]
I'm lostमैं खो गया हूँ[main kho gaya hoon]
I'm illमैं बीमार हूँ[main bimaar hoon]
Shopping
EnglishLocalSay it
I'd like to buy...मैं खरीदना चाहूँगा...[main khareedna chaahunga...]
I'm just lookingमैं बस देख रहा हूँ[main bas dekh raha hoon]
How much is it?यह कितने का है?[yah kitne ka hai?]
That's too expensiveयह बहुत महंगा है[yah bahut mahnga hai]
Can you lower the price?क्या आप कीमत कम कर सकते हैं?[kya aap keemat kam kar sakte hain?]
Time & Numbers
EnglishLocalSay it
What time is it?अब कितने बजे हैं?[ab kitne baje hain?]
It's one o'clockएक बजे हैं[ek baje hain]
Half past (10)दस बजे तक[das baje tak]
Morningसुबह[subah]
Afternoonदोपहर[dopahar]
Eveningशाम[shaam]
Yesterdayकल[kal]
Todayआज[aaj]
Tomorrowकल[kal]
1एक[ek]
2दो[do]
3तीन[teen]
4चार[chaar]
5पांच[paanch]
6छह[chhah]
7सात[saat]
8आठ[aath]
9नौ[nau]
10दस[das]
Transport & Directions
EnglishLocalSay it
Where's a/the...?...कहाँ है?[...kahan hai?]
What's the address?पता क्या है?[pata kya hai?]
Can you show me (on the map)?क्या आप मुझे दिखा सकते हैं (नक्शे पर)?[kya aap mujhe dikha sakte hain (naksha par)?]
When's the next (bus)?अगली (बस) कब है?[agli (bas) kab hai?]
A ticket (to ....)एक टिकट (.... के लिए)[ek ticket (... ke liye)]

History of Aurangabad

Early Settlements and Buddhist Caves

The landscape around present-day Aurangabad was occupied long before the modern city emerged. The Aurangabad Caves, cut into a hill overlooking the area, belong broadly to the Buddhist artistic tradition of the sixth and seventh centuries and contain chaitya and vihara forms alongside sculptural work. Their position reflects the importance of routes crossing the Deccan, where religious establishments benefited from movement between inland settlements and wider trading networks. The region also lay within the orbit of ancient political centres such as Pratishthana, now Paithan, whose influence extended across the Godavari basin. These early religious and commercial connections established a cultural landscape in which rock-cut architecture, pilgrimage and trade remained closely linked.

The Founding of Khadki

The settlement that developed into Aurangabad was founded as Khadki in the early seventeenth century by Malik Ambar, the influential Ethiopian-born statesman and military leader who served the Nizam Shahi sultanate of Ahmadnagar. Malik Ambar made Khadki an administrative and military centre and invested in water management, roads and defensive planning. His hydraulic legacy is especially associated with the Nahr-e Anbari system, which helped supply the growing settlement. The city occupied a strategically valuable position between the western Deccan and the interior plateau, and its development reflected the political competition among Deccan sultanates and the Mughal Empire. Its early history therefore combines statecraft, engineering and military geography.

Mughal Rule and Aurangabad

Mughal interest in the region intensified during the seventeenth century, when imperial campaigns sought control of the Deccan sultanates. Prince Aurangzeb served as Mughal viceroy in the Deccan on more than one occasion and used the city, then known as Khadki or Fatehnagar in different phases, as an important base. It became widely associated with him and later took the name Aurangabad. Under Mughal administration the settlement expanded as a centre of government, military organisation and commerce. The city’s gates, gardens and surviving monuments reflect this period of growth, although its built heritage is less uniformly preserved than that of some other Indian historic cities.

Bibi Ka Maqbara and Deccani Culture

Bibi Ka Maqbara was built in the late seventeenth century as the mausoleum of Dilras Banu Begum, the wife of Aurangzeb, by their son Azam Shah. Constructed in marble and plaster with a prominent central dome, it draws on the language of Mughal funerary architecture while using materials and workmanship characteristic of the Deccan. The monument symbolises the city’s connection with the Mughal court, but Aurangabad’s culture was never exclusively imperial. Persianate court traditions interacted with Marathi society, Dakhni Urdu, regional crafts and local religious communities. Textiles such as Himroo, known for patterned silk-and-cotton weaving, developed within this broader world of Deccani exchange.

From Nizam Rule to British Influence

After the decline of Mughal power in the Deccan, Aurangabad became part of the dominions of the Nizam of Hyderabad and remained an important regional centre. Administration, trade and military movement connected it with Hyderabad, Berar and western Maharashtra. British influence expanded across the wider region during the nineteenth century, although Hyderabad retained its own political identity until the integration of the princely state into the Indian Union in 1948. The city’s historic neighbourhoods, gates and civic institutions preserve traces of these successive systems of rule. Its economy also continued to draw on agriculture, textiles, craft production and its position on routes linking major Deccan cities.

Modern Maharashtra and Heritage Tourism

Following the reorganisation of Indian states, Aurangabad became part of Maharashtra and developed as an industrial, educational and administrative centre. Manufacturing and expanding suburbs altered the scale of the city, while improved roads and air and rail links strengthened its role as a base for visiting Ajanta and Ellora. The Ajanta Caves and Ellora Caves were inscribed separately on the UNESCO World Heritage List, bringing international attention to the wider region. In 2023, the city’s official name was changed to Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, although Aurangabad remains widely used in travel, historical and commercial contexts. Today, its identity is shaped by both modern growth and the careful interpretation of its layered heritage.

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Evendo: Your Ultimate Travel Guide to Aurangabad

Discover Aurangabad with Evendo, a 100% free app-based travel guide covering attractions, landmarks, restaurants, and more to make your trip unforgettable.

  • Detailed information on attractions, landmarks, shops, bars, nightclubs, restaurants, hotels, tours, experiences, and activities
  • Rich set of information including images, descriptions, local tips, maps, and contact details
  • Easy booking of hotels, tours, tickets, and experiences
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More about the Evendo app

Explore Aurangabad like never before with Evendo, a free travel guide app that provides comprehensive information on attractions, landmarks, restaurants, and more.

  • Comprehensive history and travel essentials for Aurangabad
  • Local advice and tips
  • Easy navigation through the app and the city
  • Near me feature to discover nearby attractions and amenities
  • 100% free with no in-app purchases
  • Coverage of over 7,000 destinations worldwide

Welcome to Evendo, the ultimate travel guide app for Aurangabad, India. Whether you're a first-time visitor or a seasoned traveler, Evendo is designed to help you make the most of your trip with ease and convenience. Aurangabad is a city rich in history and culture, home to renowned landmarks like the Ajanta and Ellora Caves, Bibi Ka Maqbara, and the Daulatabad Fort. With Evendo, you can explore these attractions and many more without the hassle of extensive planning.

Our app provides detailed information on the best attractions, landmarks, shops, bars, nightclubs, restaurants, hotels, tours, experiences, and activities in Aurangabad. Imagine having all the essential details like images, descriptions, local tips, maps, and contact information right at your fingertips. Want to try some local cuisine? Discover top restaurants like Tandoor Restaurant, Bhoj Thali, and Kream N Krunch. Looking for a place to stay? Find the best hotels, from budget-friendly options to luxurious stays.

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