Best Photo Spots in Aurangabad
Aurangabad's photos come in two kinds: Mughal white against a blue sky in town, and dark basalt carved into cliffs outside it. Plan the city shots for late afternoon and the cave shots round each site's opening time and closing day.
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
Bibi Ka Maqbara, down the long axis
The classic frame is from just inside the south gate, looking straight down the water channel and fountains to the tomb, with its four minarets squared up on either side. Stay on the centre line and shoot a little low so the channel leads the eye. Late afternoon warms the white plaster; early morning gives you the axis nearly empty. The Aurangabad Caves on the hill to the north also look down on the Maqbara, which is a different and less common view. More on the Maqbara.
Daulatabad: the hill and the minar
From the road, Daulatabad is a sharp, scarped hill with walls at its foot and the tall Chand Minar standing on its own in front. Frame the minar against the hill from the lower fort, then climb. The top gives you the outer walls and the plain spread below. Morning is cooler for the climb and clearer for the view. Daulatabad in detail.
Ellora: Kailasa from the ground and from above
Cave 16, the Kailasa temple, is too big for one frame. Shoot the carved elephants and pillars from inside the courtyard, then look for the path up the cliff edge that looks down on the whole temple, if it is open that day. The caves face roughly west, so the façades light up in the afternoon. Ellora has its own full guide.
Ajanta: the horseshoe gorge
The famous view of Ajanta is the whole curve of caves in the cliff above the Waghur river. It is best just after the monsoon, when the gorge is green and water runs over the falls at its head. Inside, flash is not allowed because it damages the paintings. See the Ajanta guide.
Grishneshwar
Phones and cameras are generally not allowed inside the temple, so take your photo of the carved spire from outside the gate before you leave your phone at a locker.
Practical notes
- Ticketed ASI sites usually allow phone and handheld camera photos; tripods and drones need permission.
- Harsh light arrives by about 9 am for much of the year. Plan outdoor shots early and late.
- Ask before photographing people, especially at Grishneshwar and in the old city.
Questions
Aurangabad — FAQ
Where can I get a view looking down on Bibi Ka Maqbara?
From the Aurangabad Caves on the hill to the north of the tomb. The caves are a short drive from the Maqbara, and on a clear day the tomb and its garden are visible below.
Can I photograph inside the Ajanta caves?
Phone and camera photos without flash are usually allowed. Flash is banned because it harms the ancient paintings, and some caves are kept dim on purpose, so bring a camera that handles low light.
Is there a place to photograph Kailasa temple from above?
Yes. A path climbs the cliff around Cave 16 at Ellora and gives an overhead view of the whole temple. Access can depend on conditions and maintenance, so check at the site.
Can I fly a drone at Ellora, Ajanta or Bibi Ka Maqbara?
Not without permission. These are protected ASI monuments, and drones need prior approval. Tripods also usually need permission.