Photo spot in Aurangabad
Bibi Ka Maqbara
Aurangabad, Maharashtra
The 'Taj of the Deccan' — a graceful 1660s marble-and-stucco mausoleum built in the Taj Mahal's image by Aurangzeb's son.
Best time
Late afternoon for warm light on the white dome and fewer people; early morning for an almost empty walkway and water channel.
Best angle
Stand just inside the south gate on the centre line and take a low, straight-on photo down the water channel with the tomb and all four minarets in the frame.
Entry fee
₹25 (Indian) / ₹300 (foreign)
Opening hours
Sunrise – sunset
Crowd level
Medium
Best outfit colors
Overview
Best time to visit Bibi Ka Maqbara
Late afternoon for warm light on the white dome and fewer people; early morning for an almost empty walkway and water channel. Crowds here are typically medium. Arrive a little early to claim your angle and catch the softest light before the day tips over.
Poses & angles
Photo tips for Bibi Ka Maqbara
Stand just inside the south gate on the centre line and take a low, straight-on photo down the water channel with the tomb and all four minarets in the frame. Work a few of the pose ideas below, shoot wide for context and tight for detail, and give yourself a couple of extra minutes to get the frame right.
On the garden axis with the tomb behind
By the reflecting channel
Outfit guide
What to wear at Bibi Ka Maqbara
For photos at Bibi Ka Maqbara, white, pastel and deep red work beautifully — they stand out against the setting without fighting it. Pick one hero colour and keep the rest of the look calm so you stay the subject of the frame.
Best outfit colors for photos
Trending wear for this spot
Modern, camera-ready looks picked for Bibi Ka Maqbara.
Traditional wear for this spot
Timeless, cultural looks that suit Bibi Ka Maqbara.
Eat nearby
Food near Bibi Ka Maqbara
Round out the visit with something to eat. Look for naan qalia nearby, or settle in at one of the 2 restaurants close by.
Special dishes to try
Restaurants & food places nearby
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Good to know
Local tips
Arrive in the last two hours before closing, when the light is softest and the tour groups thin out.
Walk to the back of the platform for a quieter view of the dome with the garden and enclosure walls behind.
Take your shoes off before climbing onto the tomb platform, and leave them at the marked spot.
Carry water and a hat in summer, because the walkway and gardens have little shade.
Buy your ASI ticket online by QR code if the counter queue is long.
Combine the visit with the Aurangabad Caves on the hill behind, which take about an hour.
Keep noise down near the grave chamber, as it is still a tomb and some visitors come to pray.
A tomb for Dilras Banu Begum
Bibi Ka Maqbara means "tomb of the lady". It holds the grave of Dilras Banu Begum, Aurangzeb's first wife, who died in 1657. The mausoleum was commissioned in 1660, and their son Azam Shah is closely linked with it. An inscription names the architect Ataullah, whose father is credited with designing the Taj Mahal, and the resemblance is deliberate. Because of this it is often called the Taj of the Deccan.
What is different from the Taj
It is smaller, and only the lower walls and dome are marble. The rest is basalt covered in fine polished plaster and stucco decoration. Critics once called it a poor copy, but seen on its own it has real charm: slender minarets, a tall dome, and a garden laid out in the four-part Mughal charbagh plan.
Walking round
You enter from the south gate, which has brass-covered doors. A long walkway with a central channel and fountains leads to the raised platform. The grave itself lies below ground level, surrounded by an octagonal marble screen, and you look down on it through an opening in the floor. A mosque on the west side was added later under the Nizams.
How long to spend
An hour covers the tomb and garden. Late afternoon is the nicest time, when the plaster warms in the low light and the day's heat has gone.
Nearby
The Aurangabad Caves are on the hill just to the north and look down on the tomb. Panchakki, the old water mill, is a short drive away. The Maqbara is about 5 km from the railway station.
Questions
Bibi Ka Maqbara — FAQ
What is the best time to visit Bibi Ka Maqbara?
Late afternoon for warm light on the white dome and fewer people; early morning for an almost empty walkway and water channel. Stand just inside the south gate on the centre line and take a low, straight-on photo down the water channel with the tomb and all four minarets in the frame.
Is there an entry fee at Bibi Ka Maqbara?
Entry to Bibi Ka Maqbara costs ₹25 (Indian) / ₹300 (foreign). Prices change, so treat that as a guide and confirm at the counter.
What are the opening hours of Bibi Ka Maqbara?
Bibi Ka Maqbara is open sunrise – sunset.
What should I wear at Bibi Ka Maqbara?
White, pastel and deep red photograph especially well here. Explore the trending and traditional outfit ideas on this page for full looks.
How crowded does Bibi Ka Maqbara get?
Crowd levels are typically medium. To miss the busiest window: late afternoon for warm light on the white dome and fewer people; early morning for an almost empty walkway and water channel.
What food should I try near Bibi Ka Maqbara?
Try naan qalia, available at nearby restaurants.
Who is buried in Bibi Ka Maqbara?
Dilras Banu Begum, the first wife of the Mughal emperor Aurangzeb. She died in 1657, and her title after death was Rabia-ud-Daurani.
Why is it called the Taj of the Deccan?
Because it was modelled closely on the Taj Mahal in Agra, which is the tomb of Aurangzeb's mother, Mumtaz Mahal. Its architect was the son of the Taj's chief designer.
Is Bibi Ka Maqbara made of marble?
Only partly. The lower walls and the dome are marble. The rest is basalt covered with polished plaster and stucco, which is why it looks white but weathers differently.
Can I see the actual grave?
Yes. The grave is below ground level inside an octagonal marble screen, and you can view it from above through an opening in the floor of the main chamber.