Aurangabad Favorites

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Favorite thing: Ellora Caves are really the reason that most tourists pass through Aurangabad. The town itself is quite small,and dusty, with few tourist attractions. The better attractions are a way out of the town itself. The scenery just outside the town is really pretty, with bougainvilla dotted everywhere, blazing red in the sunlight.

Fondest memory: I loved the flowers, trees and shrubs in India. The Bougainvilla is everywhere- and has the most vibrant colours.
I have posted 2 photos of Bougainvilla- just to give an idea.

Favorite thing: Dear Friends
This is for all international tourists who are planning to visit Ajanta/ Ellora caves that the ASI officials have stopped accepting dollars as entry fees to these places. you have to pay compulsorily in indian rupees only (Rs 250 / person)
for any other information regarding visiting these places please feel free to mail me at aurokant@yahoo.co.in

Favorite thing: This is nearest city ,where the tourist stay for the visits to Ellora ( Verul in loacn marathi language ) and Ajantha Caves.
Aurangabad it self is a historic city with all the facilities . Aurangabad is approx 250 km from Pune. Nov to Feb is the right time to visit.

I visited Aurangabad in Nov 2007
We checked in in Hotel Shree Maya . I had taken the reference from the VT web site.
This is really a good budget hotel . we checked in the Executive room . The room was clean . The staff cleans the room to your satisfaction and bed sheets can be replaced on request. The bath rooms are clean. The restaurant and the breakfast are Ok.

We found a dining hall named Swad Dining Hall. It is 7-8 minutes drive from the station . It has big neon sign on it. It Serves authentic Thali ( indian meal consisting of 8-10 dishes in small quantity ). You can eat as much as you want with out additional cost. The price is approx Rs 75 per Thali . It is a very clean hotel with good quality food , which kept our stomach away from indigestion.

Fondest memory: We can go to Ellora by our own car .Have a decent breakfast in Aurangabad before starting. it is situated approx 35 km from Aurangabad . The Daulatabad fort is on the way. Better not spend energy and time in climbing.

There are toilets at Ellora as well Ajantha which are well managed.
Remember to take video pass at Ellora and Bibi ka Maqbara . It costs Rs 25.

Ellora has beautiful statues and sculptures. We can take photos and video as well. There are 34 dispersed caves . Hiring a local Auto Rickshaw ( Approx 100 Rs) is a good option to save energy and visit the best caves.
On way back one can visit Mughal Emperor Aurangazeb's tomb in the walled historic village Khuldabad. It is a very simple tomb and a very humbling experience.

For Ajantha ,We booked seats in ITDC bus but it was full , so we were given Toyota Qualis. We had a friends from USA and Europe with us who were from the same hotel and enjoyed the two hour journey . The road is excellent.
Still photography (with out flash) is allowed in Ajantha caves. Better have Digi Cams capable of working in low light ( ISO 1000+) . The ITDC tour guide was with us. Do not leave the tour guide as he holds all the passes to enter the caves.

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Favorite thing: Hey,

Ajanta Ellora Caves are the most definitely best part of mystic Ancient India one must see. The whole grandeur of the majestic sculptures and paintings literally transport you back to an ancient era. You cant simply help but wonder.... how did they make this place? Also another thought to cross your mind is that if this place is so magnificient today, wonder what it must have seemed like when the paint was still fresh and the sculptures were newly chiseled.

An important tip is to carry a mobile or camera having high resolution and clarity as no photos or video recording having flash is permitted inside the cave.
Also definitely carry a small fan or newspaper to fan oneself coz it can get a bit hot and humid after a lot of walking and esp inside the caves.
Also purchasing a book guide before entering the caves is a good idea and also most definitely hire a guide as also no book or any research knowledge can explaing the finer intricacies of the paintings or scultures as a guide with a torch. Giudes are available at the entrance and are government approved with standard rates.

The caves are definitely a visit and Ajanta caves require atleast one full day to cover as they are located 2 hrs away from Aurangabad and the trek over there can tire one out. Try to reach the caves as early as possible to enjoy the finer details of the paintings and sculptures before the influx of the tourist crowds.

Also wondrous are the natural stone formation artifacts sold outside the Amenity Centre of MTDC.

At Daulatabad fort most definitely enter the Andher Entrance (a dark stinky tunnel to the top of the fort). Carry your own bright torch, cover your noses with hankerchiefs and look up for the Bats! A real spooky experience, but worth it for the view from up there.

Best time to visit this place as per me is the end of September or start of October when the monsoon is almost through and the place is blooming with green foliage.

Manasi Shenoy

Fondest memory: Must Visit Places in and Around Aurangabad:
1) Ajanta Caves and Paintings
2) Bibi Ka Maqbara
3) Aurangabad Caves
4) Ellora Caves (Buddhist, Hndu & Jain)
5) Daulatabad Fort
6) Grineshwar Temple (Jyotirlinga)

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Favorite thing: Cave 10 is commonly known as the Carpenter Cave. It is the most highly regarded of the Buddhists Caves in Ellora. The cave has a superbly carved, multi-storied facade. The interior is well preserved and has a long cathedral-like stupa hall which is also known as a chaitya. The ceiling of this hall is carved with beams and leads to a 15 foot statue of the Seated Buddha. It is one of the darkest halls and the hardest to photograph in because of the lack of light.

Favorite thing: Cave 8 is the only cave in Ellora where it is possible to walk around the circumference. This is one of the Buddhist caves. The walls are carved with Buddhists images. Inside there are also fine sculptures of the Buddha.

Favorite thing: robertgaz Tue Mar 28, 2006 13:50 MYT
Hair cut Rs20... hand massage Rs10... the smile on your face... priceless :~) (head massage actually)
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Wild_Orchid Fri Mar 31, 2006 12:55 MYT
head massage atau hand massage? kedua-duanya lain, tau?
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When I arrived at Aurangabad, my hair is so messy & long and I almost look like one of those African lions. So, to avoid all the dust (to be collected) and sweat (and smell) on my hair I opt to cut my hair in Aurangabad on New Year eve of 2006. I was quite surprised of the charges involved here and it save me so much money that I can buy 3 bottles of Kingfisher beer as compare to if I were to cut it in Malaysia. Anyway, I can consider myself having 2 free bottles of Kingfisher beer on New Year eve.

The Rs10 head massage is superb, so go get a hair cut here.

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Favorite thing: In Aurangabad, the Auto starting fare is Rs8 and Rs20 can take you really far. Always insist on meter usage unless you wanted them to wait for you for onwards journey.

For day trip around Aurangabad, you can probably negotiate Auto fare between Rs150-200. And try not to use Auto service to Ajanta because the trip is far and long, further more it's dangerous because lots of big lorries and busses ply that route.