Things to do in Northern Maharashtra
-
Krishnum
One of the popular eateries, this place dishes out South Indian snacks and fruit juices of reasonable quality.
reviewed
-
Vipassana International Academy
Heard of vipassana, haven’t you? Now head to Igatpuri to see where (and how) it all happens. Located about 44km south of Nasik, this village is home to the world’s largest vipassana meditation centre, the Vipassana International Academy, which institutionalises this strict form of meditation first taught by Gautama Buddha in the 6th century BC and reintroduced in India by teacher SN Goenka in the 1960s. The centre also serves as the apex body governing the spread of vipassana around the world. Ten-day residential courses (advance bookings compulsory) are held here throughout the year, though authorities warn that it requires rigorous discipline, and dropping out midwa…
reviewed
-
Buddhist Caves of Ajanta
Being Ellora’s venerable twin in the World Heritage listings, the Buddhist caves of Ajanta, 105km northeast of Aurangabad and about 60km south of Jalgaon, are the Louvre of ancient India. Much older than Ellora, these secluded caves date from around the 2nd century BC to the 6th century AD and were among the earliest monastic institutions to come up in the country. As Buddhism gradually waned in the region, the site was abandoned. Upon being deserted, the caves were soon reclaimed by the greens and were forgotten until 1819, when a British hunting party led by officer John Smith stumbled upon them purely by chance. Despite their age, the paintings in these caves remain …
reviewed
-
Daulatabad Fort
No trip to Aurangabad is complete without a pit-stop at the ruined but truly magnificent hilltop fortress of Daulatabad, about 15km away from town en route to Ellora. A 5km battlement surrounds this ancient fort, a most beguiling structure built by the Yadava kings through the 12th century. In 1328, it was renamed Daulatabad, the City of Fortune, by Delhi sultan Mohammed Tughlaq, who decided to shift his kingdom’s capital to this citadel from Delhi. Known for his eccentric ways, Tughlaq even marched the entire population of Delhi 1100km south to populate it. Ironically, Daulatabad soon proved untenable as a capital for strategic reasons, and Tughlaq forced its weary inhab…
reviewed
-
A
Bibi-qa-Maqbara
Built by Aurangzeb’s son Azam Khan in 1679 as a mausoleum for his mother Rabia-ud-Daurani, Bibi-qa-Maqbara is widely known as the ‘Poor man’s Taj’. With its four minarets flanking a central onion-domed mausoleum, the white structure bears striking resemblance to the original Taj Mahal in Agra. However, it is much less grand, and apart from a few marble adornments, most of the structure is finished in lime mortar. Apparently, the prince had conceived the entire mausoleum in white marble like the Taj, but was thwarted by his frugal father who opposed his extravagant idea of draining state coffers for the purpose. Despite the use of cheaper material and the obvious weather…
reviewed
-
Ellora Cave Temples
The saga of the hammer and chisel comes full circle at the World Heritage–listed Ellora cave temples, located 30km from Aurangabad. The pinnacle of ancient Indian rock-cut architecture, these caves were chipped out laboriously through five centuries by generations of Buddhist, Hindu and Jain monks. Monasteries, chapels, temples; the caves served every purpose, and style quotient was duly met by embellishing them with a profusion of remarkably detailed sculptures. Unlike the caves at Ajanta, which are carved into a sheer rock face, the Ellora caves line a 2km-long escarpment, the gentle slope of which allowed architects to build elaborate courtyards in front of the shrin…
reviewed
-
Ramtek Temples
About 40km northeast of Nagpur, Ramtek is believed to be the place where Lord Rama, of the epic Ramayana, spent some time during his exile with his wife Sita and brother Lakshman. The place is marked by a cluster of temples, about 600 years old, which sit atop the Hill of Rama and have their own population of resident monkeys. Autorickshaws will cart you the 5km from the bus stand to the temple complex for Rs. 40; you can return to town via the 700 steps at the back of the complex. On the road to the temples you’ll pass the delightful Ambala Tank, lined with small temples. If you’re interested, you can take a boat ride (Rs. 20 per head) around the lake.
reviewed
-
Alamgir Dargah
The scruffy walled town of Khuldabad, the Heavenly Abode, is a quaint and cheerful little Muslim pilgrimage village just 3km from Ellora. A number of historical figures are buried here, including emperor Aurangzeb, the last of the Mughal greats. Despite matching the legendary King Solomon in terms of state riches, Aurangzeb was an ascetic in his personal life, and insisted that he be buried in a simple tomb constructed only with the money he had made from sewing Muslim skullcaps. An unfussy affair of modest marble in a courtyard of the Alamgir Dargah is exactly what he got, which, in stark contrast to the tombs of other Mughal greats, was prudent, to say the least.
reviewed
-
Paithani Weaving Centre
Hand-woven Himroo material is a traditional Aurangabad speciality (though people have differing opinions regarding its aesthetic appeal). Made from cotton, silk and silver threads, it was developed as a cheaper alternative to Kam Khab, the more lavish brocades of silk and gold thread woven for royalty in the 14th century. Most of today’s Himroo shawls and saris are mass-produced using power looms, but some showrooms in the city still run traditional workshops, thus preserving this dying art. One of the best places to come and watch the masters at work is the Paithani Weaving Centre, behind the Indian Airlines office. It’s worth a visit even if you’re not buying.
reviewed
-
Pandav Leni
Dating from the 1st century BC to the 2nd century AD, the 24 early Buddhist caves of Pandav Leni are located about 8km south of Nasik along the Mumbai road. There’s a steep, 20-minute hike separating the caves from the highway. Caves 19 and 23 have some interesting carvings; the rest are virtually empty and of limited interest to the lay person. Some caves bear animal figures and dice boards once engraved into the stone floors by resident monks.
reviewed
Advertisement
-
Indian Tourism Development Corporation
The Indian Tourism Development Corporation runs daily tours to the Ajanta caves and Ellora caves, which includes a guide but no admission fees. The Ellora tour also includes all the other major Aurangabad sites, Daulatabad Fort and Aurangzeb’s tomb in Khuldabad, which is a lot to swallow in a day. Tours start and end at the MTDC Holiday Resort.
reviewed
-
B
Panchakki
Literally meaning ‘water wheel’, Panchakki takes its name from the hydro-mill which, in its day, was considered a marvel of engineering. Driven by water carried through earthen pipes from the river 6km away, it once ground grain for pilgrims. You can still see the humble machine at work, but don’t expect any grandeur.
reviewed
-
C
Swad Veg Restaurant
As well as a pile of cheap-eat Indian staples, this place offers pizzas (Rs. 40 to Rs. 50) and lots of ice creams and shakes – all of which are gobbled up under the benevolent gaze of Swami Yogiraj Hanstirth. It’s quite hard to find, but if and when you do get to it, you’ll realise it’s worth the effort.
reviewed
-
Talk of the Town
One of the few classy dining options in Nasik, this restaurant, next to the New Central bus stand, is a nice place to wash down sundry succulent Indian bites with a refreshing pint of lager. Don’t get too adventurous with the Chinese section of the menu; your noodles might arrive smelling of raw eggs.
reviewed
-
D
Food Lovers
For some lip-smacking Punjabi and Chinese fare, try this restaurant across the road from the MTDC Holiday Resort, where the decor comprises a row of aquariums (sadly dry at the time of research). Locals vouch for its quality, and say it’s a reliable place to tuck into the meaty stuff.
reviewed
-
Pangat Thali
A big-eater’s delight, this no-frills vegetarian restaurant cooks up an array of delicious Gujarati dishes, which liveried waiters lovingly heap on your platter quicker than you can tuck them in. Soon, you’re fed up to your eyeballs, and dessert isn’t served yet!
reviewed
-
Hotel Arya
This place tosses up a long list of surprisingly tasty and well-tempered Indian fare, including some lip-smacking Punjabi delights. It’s so popular you may have to queue for a table. Opposite Kelkar Market, near the clock tower.
reviewed
-
E
Kailash
Adjacent to Hotel Nandanvan, this pure-veg restaurant is a classy glass-and-chrome place where you can sit back after a long day out and wolf down a variety of local delicacies brought to your table by smartly dressed waiters.
reviewed
-
Annapoorna Lunch Home
No surprises on offer here, but it would be hard to find faults with the cheap and pan-fresh eats dished out by the hospitable waiters here. Peak lunch hours are a bad time to walk in; you’d have trouble finding a seat.
reviewed
-
F
Shivaji Museum
This dull museum, dedicated to the life of the Maratha hero Shivaji, includes a 500-year-old chain-mail suit and a copy of the Quran handwritten by Aurangzeb.
reviewed
Advertisement
-
G
Tandoor Restaurant & Bar
Offering fine tandoori dishes and flavour-some North Indian and Chinese vegetarian options in a weirdly Pharaonic atmosphere, this is one of Aurangabad’s top restaurants.
reviewed
-
Dadasaheb Phalke Memorial
Below the Pandav Leni caves is the Dadasaheb Phalke Memorial, dedicated to the pioneering Indian movie producer of the same name.
reviewed
-
Silver Palace
This restaurant’s claims of luxury may be stretching things too far. But the food is good, so all is forgiven. It is next door to Hotel Plaza.
reviewed
-
Kalidas Memorial
The Kalidas Memorial, near the Ramtek temple complex, is dedicated to the famous classical Sanskrit poet Kalidas.
reviewed
-
H
Prashanth
Prashanth wins trophies from travellers for its delightful vegetarian-only dishes, epic fruit juices and enjoyable patio setting.
reviewed
