Deccan Odyssey
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Tour Duration & Places Covered:
Duration: 07 nights & 08 days
Places Covered: Mumbai - Ganpatipule - Ratnagiri - Sindhudurg
- Tarkarli - Goa - Pune - Aurangabad - Ajanta - Nasik - Mumba |
Day 06 : Aurangabad (Monday):
Next morning traveling along the rolling hills and picturesque ruins of
the past, you travel way back in time to Aurangabad. Founded by Aurangzeb,
Aurangabad's heritage is rich and varied.
After breakfast in the train, a luxury bus takes you to the majestic
fortress of Daulatabad. An impregnable defense in its day, it still
stands tall and proud. Walk around the ruins, which tell you extraordinary
stories of bravery and valour.
Next stop is the world famous Ellora Caves. Just 30 kms. From Aurangabad
the historical Ellora caves is now a World Heritage Site. The Hindu, Jain
and Buddhist caves at Ellora are among the finest in India. Lying on the
ancient trade route, the caves are thought to be the work of priests and
pilgrims who used the route. Abandoned and forgotten for a few centuries,
the 34 caves were cut out of volcanic rocks of the Deccan trap. 12 are
Buddhist (600 to 700 AD), 17 Hindus (800 - 1000 AD) and five Jain(1000
- 1300 AD). The Buddhist caves belong to the Vajrayana sect of the Mahayana
School. The caves include 'viharas' (monasteries) and 'chaityas' (chapels)
where the monks worshipped. The Hindu caves lie in the center of the group.
The most famous of them being the Kailasanatha Temple (8th century). It
is the most famous magnificent of all the rock-cut structures at Ellora.
Completely open to the elements, it is the only building that was begun
from the top. The Jain caves, less grand in comparison to the other are
richly carved with lotus, elephant, lions and 'tirthankaras' of Lord Mahavira.
They offer an aura of peace and simplicity.
Come back to Aurangabad for luch at the Taj hotel with live cultural
entertainment. Next stop is the Shivaji Museum with weapons and antiques
from the great Maratha Empire. Just beyond the city, lies the Aurangabad
Caves with highly ornate and strikingly detailed sculptures and architecture.
Dating from the Vakataka and the succeeding Kalachuri dynasties (2nd
and 6th centuries AD), these 10 caves, five in each group are also a
World Heritage Site.
Move on to the Bibi-Ka-Maqbara, a tribute of the Emperor's son to his
mother. A replica of Taj Mahal, the fairy tale maqbara stands out as
the only piece of Moghul architecture on the Deccan Plateau. Spend some
time browsing through Paithani and Himroo showrooms for a perfect memorabilia.
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