Places to visit near Aurangabad

Aurangabad is a city in Maharashtra state, in India. It’s known for the 17th-century marble Bibi ka Maqbara shrine, styled on the Taj Mahal. The nearby Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Museum, dedicated to the Maratha king Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, displays war weapons and a coin collection. North of the city, the Aurangabad Caves comprise ancient, rock-cut Buddhist shrines. West of the city, battlements surround the medieval Daulatabad Fort.
Ellora Caves
The Ellora caves are situated in state of Maharashtra about 30.7 kilometres  northwest of the city of Aurangabad.
Well-known as a revered temple, Grishneshwar Jyotirlinga Temple is one of the tourist places near aurangabad which lies close to the 12 caves of Buddhist group of Ellora Caves. Halfway your route to the temple, you can find Dashavtaras all carved out in pure red stone.
Besides, dashavtaras, there are many other beautiful sculptures and statues here to stare at. Pillars here have adorable carvings to take you back to the ancient era.
Daulatabad Fort
Daulatabad Fort, also known as Devagiri or Deogiri, is a historic fortified citadel located in Daulatabad (Devagiri) village near Aurangabad, Maharashtra.
Yet another popular tourist destination of Maharashtra, Daulatabad Fort is a real treasure for all the historical freaks. Reflecting a triangular shape, this fort represents the cultural heritage of Maharashtra.
Fort has many beautiful monuments located within it namely Chini Mahal, Chand Minar, and Elephant Tank. The path to the top of the Fort is a narrow bridge allowing only two persons at one time to walk through. This fort has a wide ditch beside it and remains full of crocodiles.
Bhadra Maruti Temple
Bhadra Maruti Temple, Khultabad is a temple dedicated to the Hindu deity Hanuman, located at Khuldabad, near Aurangabad, Maharashtra.
Bhadra Maruti Temple is one of those rarest places to visit near Aurangabad which is entirely dedicated to the Hindu deity, Lord Hanuman. The statue of Lord Hanuman rests here in a sleeping position and is covered all over by Sindoor.
As there is religious significance behind this posture of Lord Hanuman, locals make it a point to reach here with great devotion. If you are fortunate enough, do try to plan your trip during Hanuman Jayanti or Ram Navami. The beauty of this place and its spirituality increases multi-fold and indulges you in its spiritual aura.
Bibi ka Maqbara
A symbol of remembrance, Bibi Ka Maqbara is almost indistinguishable from another memento of love and its inspiration, the Taj Mahal. It might be a derivative of the Taj but the mausoleum stands proud as an expression of a son’s love for his mother and has its own wandering evocations. Also called the Tomb of the Lady.
Built in 1668 the Tomb of Rabia Durani or Bibi Ka Maqbara was erected by Azam Shah, the son of Aurangzeb to commemorate his mother Dilras Begum who was titled Rabia Durani post her death. Being the spitting image of the Taj Mahal, the mausoleum is also called the Taj of the Deccan or the Dakkhani Taj.
Jayakwadi Dam
Jayakwadi dam is an earthen dam located on Godavari river at the site of Jayakwadi village in Paithan taluka of Aurangabad district in Maharashtra.
Stand at the top of this magnificently carved Paithan Dam standing juxtaposed a beautifully flowing and pious Godavari River. Locally reckoned as Paithan dam (Jayakwadi Dam), this is a significant irrigation project undertaken by Government of Maharashtra.
A simple reason to visit here with your children is to introduce them with a highly sophisticated irrigation project of the Government to supply water to the nearby agricultural land as well as the drought-prone areas. You can see how the same dam that quenches the thirst of locals also provides water for industrial applications.
This is one of the most fascinating tourist places near aurangabad. Best time to visit here is either morning or evening. There are facilities such as food stalls to satiate your hunger throughout your visit.
Ajanta Caves
The Ajanta Caves are approximately 30 rock-cut Buddhist cave monuments which date from the 2nd century BCE to about 480 CE in Aurangabad district of Maharashtra state of India.     
Reckoned as the historical heritage of Maharashtra, Ajanta Caves exhibits a blend of awe-winning structures and magnificent carvings. Dating back to the ancient era, these caves reflect the richness of ancient Indian culture and this is one of the best places to visit near Aurangabad
The architecture reflects a Buddhist influence and the count of the caves here is around 29. Every single cave is known for its exquisite wall paintings forming the center of tourist attraction. If you are familiar with the tales of Jataka, you can easily co-relate it with the wall paintings.
Pitalkhora Caves
Considered as the oldest cave complex, Pitalkhora Caves now stands as a reserved part of forests. Amongst the best places to visit near Aurangabad, this cave exhibits a revolutionary architecture of cave engineering.
The count of cave monuments here is around 14 and are divided into two different groups – one containing 10 cave monuments and the other one containing about 4. There are steep concrete stairs juxtaposed a waterfall. However, be careful; as the stairs might be slippery due to water droplets falling onto it.
Shani Shingnapur
The beauty of black stone with a high spirituality can be felt at no other place except Shani Shingnapur. What makes this place unique is that you do not need to stand in long queues here to seek divine blessings of Lord Saturn. Within a fraction of minutes, you are done with your visit. Locals here offer pooja and Abhishek on every Saturday and Monday and this is one of the best places to visit near Aurangabad
However, you need to be specific about a few religious traditions here. While offering either a Pooja or Abhishek, you should take a head bath and reach temple while still, you are wet from head to toe. Another thing to take care of is that only male devotees from your family are eligible to step up to the central platform while all females have to stand at a distance apart.
Shree Sai Baba Temple
Land of Sai is not to miss on while planning on your places to visit near Aurangabad. Being a religious site, this place is highly visited by Sai devotees from all over the globe. It is useful if you plan on your visit here in June to March. As soon as you enter the temple premises, you have to wait in queues to reach the main shrine or Samadhi temple. Besides, this zone, there is a marble statue of Sai Baba.
There is a religious significance behind the sitting position of Sai Baba here, and it appears live and energetic. Moving ahead is a Dwarkamayee Masjid, a place from where you can take the holy vibhuti along with you. Very near to the sacred dhuni, you can find a grinding stone, a bathing stone, chulha, a wooden pillar, padukas and a Tulsi plant which were a part of Sai Baba’s daily routine.
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