Aurangabad is a city in the state of Maharashtra. It is the administrative headquarters of Aurangabad district and is the largest city in the Marathwada region. The city is popular as a major production centre of cotton textile and silk fabrics. Several eminent educational institutions such as Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar Marathwada University (BAMU),are located in the city.

Districts/Region

Aurangabad district, Maharashtra, India.

History

Aurangabad city in West-Central Maharashtra is in Western India. It is in a hilly upland region on the Kaum River. The city, originally known as Khadki, was founded by Malik Ambar in 1610. It was renamed by Aurangzeb, who built the BibiKaMaqbara tomb near the city as a replica of the Taj Mahal in Agra. Aurangabad remained the headquarters of the independent Nizams (rulers), but it declined when the capital was moved to Hyderabad in the Hyderabad princely state. With the dissolution of the princely state in 1948, Aurangabad was included in Hyderabad state in newly independent India. It later became part of Bombay State (1956-60) before that state was divided into Maharashtra and Gujarat.

Geography

Aurangabad city is located on the banks of Godavari river, and to the Northwest of Tapi River Basin. 
Most of the hill ranges are in the northern part of the district. The Satmala hills and Ajanta hills are elongated in east to west direction. The hills near Verul in Khuldabadtaluka are part of these ranges. The district is a part of the Deccan Plateau. 

Weather/Climate

The region of Aurangabad has a hot and dry climate. The summers are more extreme than winters and monsoon, with a temperature up to 40.5degree Celsius
Winters are mild, and the average temperature varies from 28-30degree Celsius.
Monsoon season has extreme seasonal variations, and the annual rainfall in Aurangabad is around 726 mm. 

Things to do

From exploring prehistoric caves to visiting ancient temples, there are many things to do in Aurangabad. Aurangabad is blessed to be the home of one of the twelve Jyotirlingas. Besides pilgrimage and historical exploration, there are countless of activities in Aurangabad to be experienced. One can explore the Museum of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj to understand the history of Marathas or can opt for fun activities in parks like H2O or the Siddhartha Garden. Visiting shrines and temples can also be very interesting at Aurangabad. It has a rich history that can be seen at places such as Panchakki and Valley of the Sufi Saints, etc.

Nearest tourist places

One can plan to visit the following tourist places along with Aurangabad: 

• BibiKaMaqbara: Situated about 3 KM from the city is BibiKaMaqbara, the burial place of Aurangzeb's wife, Rabia-ud-Durrani. It is a replica of the Taj Mahal at Agra, and due to its similar design, it is popularly known as the Mini Taj of the Deccan. The Maqbara stands in the middle of a spacious and formally planned Mughal garden with ponds, fountains, water channels, broad pathways and pavilions. 
• Ellora and Ajanta Caves: The world-famous Ellora and Ajanta Caves are situated at 29 KM and 107 KM respectively from Aurangabad city and come within the Aurangabad district. The Ellora Caves consist of 34 caves built between the 5th and 10th century CE under the Rashtrakuta Dynasty. They represent the essence of Indian rock-cut architecture. The Ajanta Caves includes 30 rock-cut caves around a gorge, built by the Satavahana, Vakataka and Chalukya dynasties between the 2ndand 5thcentury CE. Both the Ellora and Ajanta Caves are UNESCO World Heritage Sites. 
• Siddharth Garden and Zoo: This is a park and zoo situated near the central bus station in Aurangabad. It is popular amongst the touristssince it is the only zoo in the Marathwada region. There are various types of animals and birds. The name of "Siddhartha" has been kept on the name of Gautama Buddha.     
• Panchakki (water mill): Located near the Dargah complex of Baba Shah Musafir, this is a 17th-century watermill situated at a distance of 1 KM from the city. An intriguing water mill, the Panchakki is famous for its underground water channel, which traverses more than 8 KM to its source away in the mountains. The channel leads to an artificial waterfall that powers the mill. 
• Grishneshwar: Grishneshwar, which is known as Ghushmeshwar too, is a famous Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Shiva and is twelfth Jyotirlinga, the sacred abodes of Lord Shiva. The temple is located 11 KM from Daulatabad Fort, near Aurangabad. The temple is located near Ellora Caves.
• Daulatabad Fort: The Daulatabad Fort also known as Devgiri Fort is located about 15 KM northwest of Aurangabad was one of the most powerful forts during the medieval period. Built in the 12th century CE by the Yadava Dynasty, it is a citadel that was never conquered by any military force. The British called it the "Best fort of India."

Special food speciality and hotel

Aurangabadi food is much like Mughlai or Hyderabadi cuisine with its fragrant pulao and biryani. The exclusive non-veg dish is NaanKhaliya or (NaanQalia). It is a concoction of mutton and a variety of spices.

Accommodation facilities nearby & Hotel/ Hospital/Post Office/Police station

Various hotels and resorts are available in Aurangabad city.
Hospitals are in Aurangabad approx 4 KM away from Aurangabad city.
The nearest post office is at 12 min (4.3 KM).
The nearest police station is at a distance of 2.8 KM. 

Visiting Rule and Time, Best month to visit

The best time to visit Aurangabad is between November to February, as the weather is pleasant, with sunny days and chilly nights. As most of the tourist spots in the city are located outdoors, this weather is ideal for sightseeing. 
The summer season, which lasts from March to May, gets hotter with temperatures ranging from 20degree Celsius to 42degree Celsius.            
The rainy season gives the place a very picturesque look, and the rains are not very heavy. People who don't mind high temperatures of summers and those who enjoy moving around in the drizzle of monsoon rains can plan their visit anytime throughout the year. 

Language spoken in area 

English, Hindi, Marathi, Urdu