Things to Do in Aurangabad

The Ajanta and Ellora Caves, both UNESCO World Heritage sites, are among the largest rock-cut monastery-temple cave complexes in the world. At Ajanta, there are 29 Buddhist cave temples dating from 2nd century BC. Meanwhile, the 34 Hindu, Jain, and Buddhist caves at Ellora date from the 6th century AD.

Most visitors opt to take an Ajanta and Ellora caves tour from Aurangabad, and it’s possible to explore both sites on a full-day tour. Those in Mumbai can also opt for a multi-day tour that includes transfers to and from Aurangabad Airport, an overnight stay in Aurangabad, and a visit to nearby attractions such as Aurangabad Caves, Daulatabad Fort, and the Taj Mahal–inspired Bibi Ka Maqbara shrine.

The caves are located in northern Maharashtra, around 250 miles (400 kilometers) northeast of Mumbai. The closest railway stations are Aurangabad for the Ellora caves (around 45 minutes from the station) and Jalgaon for the Ajanta caves (around 1.5 hours from the station); you’ll need to take a taxi to reach the caves. You can rent a car and drive between the two sites, which are about two hours away from each other, but most visitors opt for a guided tour. 

The caves are open to visitors year round, but the best time to visit is from November to March, when the weather is cooler and dryer. The caves can get busy, especially on weekends and national holidays, so plan a weekday visit and arrive in the early morning or late afternoon to avoid the biggest crowds. If you’re hoping to visit both in one trip, be aware that the Ellora caves are closed on Tuesdays, while the Ajanta caves are closed on Mondays.

At Ajanta, rock-cut caves are set around a horseshoe-shaped valley in the Sahayadri hills—an astonishing feat considering that they were created by hand with only a hammer and chisel. The Buddhist caves are adorned with ancient Indian art, including paintings and sculptures that chronicle the life of the Buddha. At Ellora, you’ll find the massive Kailasa Temple, a magnificent temple dedicated to Lord Shiva and flanked by life-size elephant statues. 

Situated in the state of Maharashtra, Aurangabad sees a steady flow of international visitors due to its rich culture and history, particularly at the world heritage sites, the Ajanta and Ellora Caves. In fact, visitors to Aurangabad and its surrounding regions will find a history dating back to the 2nd century BC, when the Satavahana dynasty established their capital in what is known today as Paithan.

It was around this time that the monasteries were carved out of caves in what is now Ajanta. Meanwhile, the carvings in the Ellora caves track the ebb and flow of three major religions between the 5th and 10th centuries – Buddhism, Hinduism and Jainism.

In the mid-1600s the Mughal emperor, Aurangzeb, made Aurangabad his capital city, but after his death it quickly began to decline. However, the city’s reign of glory can still be seen within its fascinating monuments, including a must-see Taj Mahal replica (the Bibi-qa-Maqbara).

The train station and a cluster of hotels and restaurants are located to the south of the town along Station Road East and Station Road West. There’s also a bustling old town in Aurangabad made up of winding narrow streets that are home to the Muslim quarters of the city.