Traditional wear in Aurangabad
Paithani saree
Best worn at Bibi Ka Maqbara
The queen of Maharashtrian sarees — a hand-woven silk Paithani with a peacock-and-lotus zari pallu, born near Aurangabad.
Best colours
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Price range
₹5,000–40,000
Comfort level
Medium
Best place
Bibi Ka Maqbara
Footwear
Kolhapuris
Buy / rent nearby
Paithan / Aurangabad silk shops
Best colors
The story behind it
The GI-tagged Paithani, woven in Paithan near Aurangabad, is Maharashtra's most prized bridal saree.
Styling guide
How to style this look
Accessories
Footwear
Kolhapuris — comfortable, on-theme and easy for cobbled lanes and steps.
Shop footwear on AmazonBag suggestion
A potli (drawstring) bag or a small embroidered clutch keeps the look authentic with your phone within reach.
Hair & makeup (optional)
Soft kajal, a bold lip and loose waves or a braided bun with a maang tikka complete the traditional look.
Best colour combinations
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Where to shoot it
Best photo spots for this outfit
Spots in Aurangabad where Paithani saree really works.
Great matchBibi Ka Maqbara
- Best time
- 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
- 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.
Ajanta Caves
- Best time
- Best time: Morning, 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.
- Best angle
- Best angle: Walk to the viewpoint on the far side of the Waghur gorge and take a wide photo of the whole horseshoe of caves with the river below.
Daulatabad Fort
- Best time
- Best time: Early 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.
- Best angle
- Best angle: Stand in the lower fort a little back from the Chand Minar and take a vertical photo of the tower with the scarped hill and its walls rising behind it.
Shop the look
Where to buy or rent nearby
Typical price · ₹5,000–40,000
Wear it well
Practical tips for tourists
Snagging the delicate zari pallu
Carry kolhapuris or comfortable flats — you'll be on your feet a lot.
Great for a morning or late-afternoon shoot; pace longer days.
Golden hour light flatters rich traditional colours — plan the shoot early or late.
The full guide
Styling Paithani saree in Aurangabad
Paithani saree is a traditional wear favourite in Aurangabad, and looks its best in peacock blue, magenta and gold. It pairs naturally with a shoot at Bibi Ka Maqbara, worn with kolhapuris.
Comfort is medium, so plan your route accordingly. You can buy or rent it around paithan and aurangabad silk shops from about ₹5,000–40,000. Check the photo spots above for the best time and angle to capture the look.
Paithani saree
The queen of Maharashtrian sarees — a hand-woven silk Paithani with a peacock-and-lotus zari pallu, born near Aurangabad.
This is what the choice involves in practice, from fit to the walk home from the shop.
🧵 What it is
The GI-tagged Paithani, woven in Paithan near Aurangabad, is Maharashtra's most prized bridal saree.
Traditional pieces reward a slower purchase: look at how it is made, not only how it looks on the shelf.
What distinguishes a good one is consistency - even work, honest materials, and a finish that looks the same on the second inspection as the first.
🎨 The colours and finishes
The palette that the tradition itself favours:
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Peacock blue
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Magenta
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Gold
These shades sit comfortably next to each other, so whichever the shop has in the best make, the palette holds.
Worn with Nath (nose ring), Kolhapuri saaj and Gajra, the look completes the way the tradition intends.
👟 Wearing it around Aurangabad
Footwear: Kolhapuris.
Comfort on this record reads MEDIUM - comfortable with a little managing through a long day.
One practical note for India: shoes come off at temples and mosques through the day, so build the outfit around that rhythm rather than fighting it.
Check it for the movements of a real day - steps, seats, and a bag on the shoulder - and it will behave on the trip.
🚫 What to avoid
- Snagging the delicate zari pallu
Everything on this list is the difference between a piece that works and one that fights back.
🛍️ Where to buy it
In Aurangabad: Paithan / Aurangabad silk shops.
Expect to pay in the region of ₹5,000–40,000.
Prices at traditional markets are commonly negotiable - quote politely, counter at a fair distance from the first number, and let the conversation find its level.
🧳 Bringing it home
For the journey home, fold it along its existing creases and pack it near the top of the bag; a light press or a hang in a steamy room restores everything a suitcase does.
Bought at the start of a trip, it earns its keep during it; bought at the end, it packs in twenty minutes. Either works - the only wrong day to buy it is the day with no time to choose.
✅ The one-minute checklist
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Palette: Peacock blue, Magenta and Gold
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Footwear: Kolhapuris
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Accessories: Nath (nose ring), Kolhapuri saaj and Gajra
-
Budget: ₹5,000–40,000
-
Where: Paithan / Aurangabad silk shops
-
Avoid: Snagging the delicate zari pallu
Questions
Paithani saree — FAQ
Can I wear Paithani saree at Bibi Ka Maqbara?
Yes — Paithani saree suits Bibi Ka Maqbara beautifully. Comfort is medium, so you can explore at an easy pace. Pair it with kolhapuris for the walk up.
Where can I buy or rent traditional wear in Aurangabad?
Try Paithan and Aurangabad silk shops in Aurangabad. Expect roughly ₹5,000–40,000. Many shops rent festive outfits by the day, which is ideal for a single shoot.
Which colours look best for Aurangabad photos?
Peacock blue, magenta and gold photograph especially well against old stone in Aurangabad — they stand out without clashing with the setting.
Is Paithani saree comfortable for sightseeing?
Comfort level is medium. It works for a relaxed day of sightseeing as long as your footwear is comfortable. Kolhapuris keeps it easy on the feet.