Maharashtra · India
Aurangabad
The gateway to the UNESCO rock-cut wonders of Ajanta and Ellora — a Mughal-era city of Bibi Ka Maqbara, forts and a distinctive Deccani cuisine.
Aurangabad (Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar) is famed for the Ajanta-Ellora caves, Paithani and Himroo weaving, and a Deccani-Mughlai food culture led by naan qalia.
Plan your trip
Aurangabad Tour Itineraries
Timed, walkable day plans — plus the best season to go.
Where to shoot
Aurangabad Photo Spots
High crowdEntry ₹40 (Indian) / ₹600 (foreign)
Ajanta Caves
- Best timeMorning, soon after opening, for soft light on the cliff and fewer people on the path; just after the monsoon for a green gorge and running falls.
- ColorsOchreMaroonCream
Medium crowdEntry ₹25 (Indian) / ₹300 (foreign)
Bibi Ka Maqbara
- Best timeLate afternoon for warm light on the white dome and fewer people; early morning for an almost empty walkway and water channel.
- ColorsWhitePastelDeep red
Medium crowdEntry ₹25 (Indian) / ₹300 (foreign)
Daulatabad Fort
- Best timeEarly morning for a cooler climb and a clear view over the plain; late afternoon for warm light on the Chand Minar from the lower fort.
- ColorsRustCreamOlive
High crowdEntry ₹40 (Indian) / ₹600 (foreign)
Ellora Caves
- Best timeEarly morning for an empty Kailasa courtyard in soft, even light; mid to late afternoon, when the west-facing cave fronts catch the sun.
- ColorsOchreCreamRust
Medium crowdEntry Free
Grishneshwar Temple
- Best timeEarly morning for soft light on the carved spire and a short queue; late afternoon for warm colour on the stone from outside the gate.
- ColorsSaffronCreamRust
For the feed
Trending Wear in Aurangabad
Modern, Instagram-friendly looks
Rooted in the city
Aurangabad Traditional Wear
Local, cultural, handcrafted outfits
Before you go
Temples in Aurangabad
Darshan hours, dress codes and what gets refused at the gate
Taste the city
Food to Eat in Aurangabad
Trusted tables
Where to Eat in Aurangabad
Representative photoBhoj Thali Restaurant
Nirala Bazaar
Representative photoKailash Restaurant
Station Road
Representative photoSwad Veg Restaurant
Adalat Road
Representative photoTandoor Restaurant
Shyam Chambers
The base for the caves, and a city in its own right
Most people arrive in Aurangabad on their way to Ajanta and Ellora, and treat it as a hotel and a railway station. That undersells it. This was Malik Ambar's capital in the early 1600s, Aurangzeb's Deccan headquarters later that century, and the first seat of the Nizams before they moved to Hyderabad. The result is a Deccani-Mughal city of old gates, a white mausoleum modelled on the Taj Mahal, a medieval water mill and a food culture you will not find in Pune or Mumbai.
In 2023 the city was officially renamed Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar. You will see that name on government signs, bus boards and, since October 2025, the railway station. Most people still say Aurangabad in conversation, and both names are understood.
How the sights are spread out
Think of the city as a hub with spokes. Inside town are Bibi Ka Maqbara, Panchakki, the Aurangabad Caves on the hill behind the Maqbara, Soneri Mahal and the old gates such as Delhi Gate and Bhadkal Gate. To the north-west, one road runs about 15 km to Daulatabad Fort, on through Khuldabad, and ends at Ellora and Grishneshwar, about 30 km out. Ajanta is a separate, longer trip of about 100 km to the north-east. Paithan, where the Paithani saree comes from, is about 50 km south.
A sensible three days
Day one: Daulatabad in the early morning, Khuldabad on the way, then Ellora and Grishneshwar. Day two: Ajanta, which takes the whole day. Day three: the Maqbara, Panchakki and a walk through the old city bazaars for Himroo and naan qalia. Put the Ellora day on anything but a Tuesday and the Ajanta day on anything but a Monday, because those are their weekly closing days.
Weather and timing
This is the dry Deccan plateau, not the coast. April and May are very hot, with afternoons close to 40 °C. The monsoon runs roughly June to September and is moderate here, and it turns the hills round Ellora and the Ajanta gorge green. October to February is the comfortable stretch, with cool mornings in December and January. See the best time to visit page for month-by-month detail.
Eating in Aurangabad
Naan qalia is the dish the city is known for: a thin, spiced mutton curry eaten with a soft naan brushed with turmeric and jaggery water. Vegetarians do well too, with tahri, thalis and shevai. The food page covers each dish, and the where to eat page lists the kitchens.
Questions
Aurangabad — FAQ
Is Aurangabad the same city as Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar?
Yes. The city was officially renamed Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar in 2023, and the Bombay High Court upheld the change in 2024. Railway and bus signs now use the new name, but people still say Aurangabad in everyday speech.
How many days do I need in Aurangabad?
Three days is comfortable: one for Daulatabad, Khuldabad, Ellora and Grishneshwar, one for Ajanta, and one for Bibi Ka Maqbara, Panchakki and the old city. Two days works if you skip the city sights.
Should I stay in Aurangabad or near the caves?
Aurangabad is the easier base. It has far more hotels and restaurants, and Ellora is about an hour away by road. Some people doing Ajanta stay near Fardapur to start early, but most go from the city.
Which days are Ajanta and Ellora closed?
Ajanta is usually closed on Mondays and Ellora on Tuesdays. Plan your cave days round these and check the ASI notice before you go, as rules can change.
What is there to see in Aurangabad city itself?
Bibi Ka Maqbara, the Panchakki water mill, the Buddhist Aurangabad Caves, Soneri Mahal, Himayat Bagh, Salim Ali Lake and several of the old Mughal-era city gates. Half a day to a full day covers them.