46 Places to Visit near Aurangabad within 300 kms (2024)

Burhanpur is a historical town located in the Indian state of Madhya Pradesh. About 183 km from Indore, and 331 km from Bhopal, it is one of the popular tourist places to visit in Madhya Pradesh, and among the must include places in India tour packages.

Situated on the north bank of the Tapti River, Burhanpur is a fabulous destination that tourists love visiting, especially historians and art lovers due to its rich past and significant history. This historical city is well-known for its magnificent structures and architectural remains that draw people from different parts of the country as part of Burhanpur packages. The most interesting fact about Burhanpur is that Mumtaz Begum, the beloved wife of Shah Jahan died here while giving birth to her fourteenth child. It can be visited along with indore tour packages.
 
The city is blessed with many mosques, tombs, Gurudwaras, forts, and gardens that make sure that it offers the best holidaying experience for all tourists. Asirgarh Fort, Shahi Qila, Jama Masjid, Black Taj Mahal, Moti Mahal, Raja Jai Singh Ki Chhatri, Dargah-E-Hakimi, Khuni Bhandara, etc., are some of the best Burhanpur tourist places.

Distance from Aurangabad: 218 Kms

Positioned on the Maharashtra- Gujarat border, Saputara is the only hill stations in Gujarat, and among the well-planned hill stations in India. It is situated about 77 km from Nashik, and 398 km from Ahmedabad.

Nestled in the Sahyadri range of Western Ghats at an altitude of about 1000 m, Saputara is one of the most popular places to visit near Pune. The lush green forests, undulating mountains, dazzling waterfalls, dreamy winding roads, stunning landscape, and salubrious climate make the picturesque hill station of Saputara a perfect escape into the lap of Mother Nature as part of Saputara packages.

Saputara Lake, Sunrise Point, Sunset Point, Saputara Tribal Museum, Gira Waterfalls, Nageshwar Mahadev Temple, Artist Village, etc. are some of the prominent tourist places in Saputara.

Distance from Aurangabad: 235 Kms

At a distance of 10 km from Bhandardara Bus Stop, 156 km from Pune & 177 km from Mumbai, Randha Falls is a beautiful waterfall located on the Rajur - Bhandardara road in Ahmednagar district of Maharashtra.

The waterfall is formed over Pravara River and cascades down from a height of 170 feet into a beautiful gorge. Considered as one of the prominent waterfalls in India, the jaw-dropping Randha Falls is a must visit place during monsoon and also one of the popular places to visit in Bhandardara. It is the chief source of hydro power in the Bhandardara region. There is a temple on the banks of the river and a viewpoint just above the falls provides a great view of the waterfalls. The rocky sides of the gorge are home to colonies of bees and one can see huge hanging hives under the rocky ledges.

Distance from Aurangabad: 197 Kms

At a distance of 72 km from Shirdi and 44 km from Ahmednagar, Shani Shingnapur or Sonai is a village in Nevasa taluka of Ahmednagar district in Maharashtra. The village is known for its popular temple of Shani Mahadev, the Hindu god associated with the planet (graha) Saturn. This is one of the most popular Shani temples in India and also among the famous pilgrimage places to visit near Pune.

The idol of Lord Shanidev at the Shingnapur temple is swayambhu and the temple is believed to be a jagrut devasthan, meaning that a deity still resides in the temple. The idol is personified in the form of a black stone that is five and a half feet high installed on an open-air platform. There is a Trishul alongside the stone as well as a Nandi on its south. In front are the small images of Shiva and Hanuman. An east-facing multi deity temple was built west of the Shani idol later. The premises also contain a tomb of Saint Udasi Baba and a temple dedicated to Dattatreya. This is one of the must include places in Shirdi packages.

Shani Shingnapur Temple, among the top Shirdi places to visit, among the most significant pilgrimage places to visit near Aurangabad. The entire village around the temple has no doors to the houses. ...

Distance from Aurangabad: 82 Kms

At a distance of 16 km from Aurangabad Railway Station, Daulatabad is an ancient hill fort situated on the way to Ellora Caves from Aurangabad in Maharashtra. It is one of the best-preserved places of heritage in Maharashtra, and also one of the best Aurangabad tourist places.

The historical triangular fort of Daulatabad was built by Yadava king Bhillama V in 1187 AD. It is one of the best historical places near Pune. The city was then called 'Deogiri', meaning the hill of gods. Daulatabad or 'the abode of wealth' was the name given by Muhammad-bin-Tughlaq when he made his capital here in 1327 AD. The region and the fort passed on into the hands of Bahamani rulers under Hasan Gangu in 1347 AD and Nizam Shahis of Ahmednagar in 1499 AD. Daulatabad became the capital of the Nizam Shahi dynasty in 1607 AD. The fort passed several hands, captured and re-captured by the Mughals, Marathas, Peshwas, and finally placed under the control of the Nizams of Hyderabad in 1724 AD till independence. It is one of the most visited places as part of Aurangabad tour packages.

Daulatabad Fort was one of the most powerful forts during the medieval period. Built on a 200 m high conical hill, the fort was defended by a moat and a glacis. ...

Distance from Aurangabad: 17 Kms

At a distance of 500 m from Bhandardara Bus Stop, Umbrella Falls is a beautiful seasonal waterfalls situated at the Bhandardara Dam in Ahmednagar district of Maharashtra. It is one of the top places to visit in Bhandardara and also one of the best waterfalls in Maharashtra.

When the Wilson dam overflows during monsoon, water gushes out from a small opening in its northern end over a semicircular rock, forming the picturesque Umbrella Falls. The water body is also used for hydro­electric power generation. There is a bridge right below the waterfall, tourists can get a full view of the waterfalls standing on the bridge. The waterfalls can be enjoyed only during the monsoon season, when the dam reaches full capacity.

The falls can be easily reached by walk from Bhandardara Bus Station which is around 500 m.

Distance from Aurangabad: 225 Kms

At a distance of 12 km from Bhandardara, 165 km from Mumbai & 174 km from Pune, Kalsubai Peak is a mountain peak in the Ahmednagar district of Maharashtra. This is one of the popular places of trekking in Maharashtra, and among the must include places in Bhandardara tour packages.

The peak of Kalsubai perched at an altitude of 5400 feet (1646 m) and it is the highest peak in Maharashtra. The peak lies within the Kalsubai Harishchandragad Wildlife Sanctuary. It is one of the best places to visit in Bhandardara for adventure enthusiasts. The peak is a small plateau and offers a commanding view of nearby forts and Bhandardara Dam. It was used for keeping watch on their enemies during the Maratha rule in the region. Kalsubai Temple is Located at the topmost peak of the Sahyadri mountain range of Maharashtra.

Mount Kalsubai is a famous trekking destination in Maharashtra. The trekking route attracts a large number of visitors, some to conquer the highest peak in Maharashtra, some trek to Kalsubai to visit Mandir and offer prayers to local deity Kalsubai. The temple houses an old well, where the water level never drops below 3 feet. A religious fair is organized by the locals at this temple during Navratri.

To reach the summit there are various trekking routes. The ...

Distance from Aurangabad: 223 Kms

At a distance of 6 km from Ratanwadi, 23 km from Bhandardara, 183 km from Pune & 197 km from Mumbai, Ratangad is an ancient hill fort situated at Ratanwadi village in Ahmednagar district of Maharashtra. It is one of the best forts in Maharashtra and an ideal place for trekking around Mumbai & Pune.

The Ratangad Fort is one of the most popular places to visit in Bhandardara and the place leaves visitors spellbound with its rich heritage. The fort is located at a height of 4250 feet. Ratangad Fort is 400 year old fort, which was used by Maratha warrior Shivaji. The fort was initially ruled by the Mughals and it was conquered by Shivaji Maharaj.

Ratangad has a natural rock peak with a cavity at the top which is called Nedhe or Eye of the Needle. The fort has four gates known as Ganesh, Hanuman, Konkan and Trimbak. There are two caves on the Ratangad Fort, one of the caves is smaller and can accommodate 8-10 people, while the other cave is larger and can accommodate 40-50 people. It also has many wells on the top. The base village Ratanwadi has Amruteshwar Temple which is famous for its carvings. The Pravara River originates in Ratangad Fort. According to the local legend, Sage Agastya meditated and performed penance in Ratangad. At that place two drops of Amrut was dropped and water started flowing out from Ratangad continuously resulting in the river Pravara hence the name 'Amrutvahini'.

There are numerous ...

Distance from Aurangabad: 215 Kms

At a distance of 28 km from Nashik, Trimbakeshwar or Tryambakeswar is a small pilgrimage town located on the banks of River Godavari at the foothills of Brahmagiri Mountains in Nasik district of Maharashtra. It is one of the popular places of pilgrimage in Maharashtra, and among the must-include places in Nashik packages.

Trimbakeshwar is famous for Trimbakeshwar Temple which is one of the 12 Jyotirlinga temples of Lord Shiva. It is one of the most famous places to visit near Nashik. Trimbakeshwar Temple is built by Sri Nana Saheb Peshwa in 1755-1786 AD. The presiding deity of the temple is Lord Shiva as Trimbakeshwar. The extraordinary feature of the Jyotirlinga located here is its three faces embodying Lord Brahma, Lord Vishnu, and Lord Rudra. A crown studded with precious stones rests on top of this Linga, which is said to be from the age of Pandavas. This crown is decorated with various precious stones like emeralds, diamonds, and many other varieties. The crown is displayed every Monday from 4 PM - 5 PM. It is one of the most popular places to visit near Mumbai.

The temple is built of black stone in the Nagara style of architecture and is enclosed in a spacious courtyard. The sanctum internally a square and externally ...

Distance from Aurangabad: 215 Kms

At a distance of 2 km from Someshwar Temple and 9 km from Nashik Central Bus Station, Someshwar Waterfalls is a breathtaking waterfall situated near Gangapur in the suburbs of Nashik. It is one of the popular waterfalls in Maharashtra, and among the must-visit places as part of Nashik tour packages.

Also known as Dudhsagar Waterfalls, Someshwar Waterfalls is one of the most favorite tourist places in Nashik. This small and beautiful waterfall is formed over the holy River Godavari. The height of the waterfall is 10 m and the place turns very picturesque during the monsoon as there is a huge water flow and also a lot more greenery around. It is a much-loved picnic spot by families and preferred stop by youngsters, to spend a relaxed evening. There is also a Balaji Temple near the waterfall which is a must-visit.

Timings: 6 AM to 6 PM

Entry: Free

Distance from Aurangabad: 200 Kms

At a distance of 111 km from Pune, 124 km from Lonavala, 210 km from Nashik, and 224 km from Mumbai, Bhimashankar Temple is an ancient pilgrimage center located near Karjat in the Ghat region of Sahyadri hills in Maharashtra. This is one of the top places of pilgrimage in Maharashtra, and also one of the best pilgrimage places to visit near Pune.

Bhimashankar Temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and is considered one of the 12 holy Jyotirlinga shrines in India, and among the must-visit places as part of Pune tour packages. The other Jyotirlinga shrines in Maharashtra are Vaidyanath near Parli, Trimbakeshwara near Nashik, Grishneshwar near Aurangabad, and Aundha Nagnath Temple in Hingoli. Bhimashankar is also the source of the river Bhima, which flows southeast and merges with the Krishna River near Raichur.

It is believed that the original temple of Bhimashankar was built in the 12th century CE. However, no evidence remains dating to that period has been found. The temple was renovated by Chimaji Antaji Bhide Naik in 1733 CE followed by some repair works by Dikshit Patwardhan in 1766 CE. A well was constructed in the complex by Raghunathrao Peshwa. The famous minister of the Peshwas, Nana Phadnavis carried out a lot of renovations, including the construction of the shikhara. It is one of the famous places to visit in Pune.

According ...

Distance from Aurangabad: 278 Kms

At a distance of 8 km from Nashik Central Bus Station, Pandavleni Caves or Trirashmi Caves are the ancient rock cut caves situated on Trirashmi Hills to the south of Nashik. The location of the caves is a holy Buddhist site in Maharashtra and also one of the popular places to visit in Nashik.

Pandavleni Caves are a group of 24 caves carved between the 3rd century BC and the 2nd century AD, representing the Hinayana Buddhism and has nothing to do with the characters of Mahabharata (the Pandavas).These caves were built by the rulers of that time like Satavahanas and Kshaharatas for Hinayana Buddhist monks. More ancient name of caves is Trirashmi Caves where the root 'Trirashmi' means 'triple royal'.

Most of the caves are Viharas except for the 18th cave which is a Chaitya. Caves 3, 10, 18 and 20 are the most significant and fascinating caves among the 24 caves which are noted for their magnificent sculptures. Cave 3 has a large Vihara with fascinating sculptures. Cave 10 is also a Vihara but it is much older and finer than Cave 3. It is believed to be as old as the Karla Caves near Lonavala. These caves houses shrines, cisterns, rare inscription, carved figures of Buddha and Bodhisattva, along with icons of some of the Jain Teerthankaras like Vrishabhdeo, Ambikadevi, Veer Manibhadraji etc. The Chaitya (Cave 18) is well sculptured with an elaborate facade.

There are several inscriptions found in these caves. Inscriptions in caves 3, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 19 and ...

Distance from Aurangabad: 197 Kms

At a distance of 1 km from Ellora Caves, and 29 km from Aurangabad, Grishneshwar or Ghrushneshwar Jyotirlinga Temple is a famous Hindu temple located at Verul village in the Aurangabad district of Maharashtra. It is one of the famous places of pilgrimage in Maharashtra, among the must-visit places as part of Ellora tour packages.


Dedicated to Lord Shiva, Grishneshwar Temple is believed to be the last or 12th Jyotirlinga on the earth. This is one of the top places to visit in Ellora, and among the prominent pilgrimage places to visit near Aurangabad. The presiding deity, in the form of Jyotirlinga, is known by several names like Kusumeswarar, Ghushmeswara, Ghrushmeswara, and Grishneswara. The Grishneshwar temple was re-constructed by Maloji Raje Bhosale, the grandfather of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, in the 16th century. Later, the temple was again reconstructed in the 18th century by Rani Ahilyabhai Holkar, a Maratha princess who ruled Indore from 1765 CE to 1795 CE.

According to the legend, In the Devagiri Mountain, there lived a Brahmin couple named Brahmavetta Sudharm and Sudeha. They had no children and according to the wish of Sudeha, Brahmavetta married her sister Ghushma. On the advice of ...

Distance from Aurangabad: 31 Kms

At a distance of 8 km from Khireshwar, 15 km from Malshej Ghat, 50 km from Bhandardara, 166 km from Pune & 218 km from Mumbai, Harishchandragad is a historical hill fort situated in Ahmednagar district of Maharashtra. It is one of the popular places of heritage in Maharashtra, and among the famous places to visit as part of Malshej Ghat packages.

Situated at an altitude of 1,424 m, the fort once played a major role in guarding and controlling the surrounding region. Among the most prominent tourist places in Malshej Ghat, the fort originally dates back to the 6th century during the rule of the Kalchuri dynasty. The citadel was built during this era and various caves probably have been carved out in the 11th century AD. Sage Changdev used to meditate here in the 14th century AD. Later the fort was under the control of Mughals and Marathas captured it in 1747 AD. Remnants of Microlithic human inhabitants have been discovered here. The fort of Harishchandragad has been mentioned in various Puranas like Matsya Purana, Agni Purana, and Skanda Purana.

Rohidas, Taramati, and Harishchandra are the three peaks in Harishchandragad. Taramati peak is the highest peak in the fort and provides a beautiful panoramic view of the nearby surroundings and the forest area. Many peaks and attractions ...

Distance from Aurangabad: 234 Kms

At a distance of 48 km from Malshej Ghat, Ajoba or Ajaparvat is one of the highest peaks in the Sahyadri ranges of the Western Ghats in Maharashtra. Situated near Dehene village, it is one of the popular places of trekking near Mumbi and among the best places to visit as part of Malshej Ghat Packages for adventure enthusiasts.

Standing at a height of over 4,511 feet, Ajoba Hill is one of the highest peaks in the Western Ghats. Midway to the fort lies Valmiki Ashram which is believed to be the place where Valmiki wrote the epic 'Ramayana'. According to the legend, this is the place where Goddess Sita was said to be staying after being separated from Lord Rama. Carvings on the Ashram wall depict stories of Gods and Goddesses. The fort was named 'Ajobagad' after the great sage Valmiki who was called 'Ajoba' or grandfather by Luv and Kush.

Nestled amidst thick greenery, the Ajoba Hill Fort is a delight for trekkers as it presents an exciting trail to the top. People interested in rock climbing also come here to feel the adrenaline rush. The trek to the Ajoba hill starts from the Dehene Village. The trek is in two halves where the first half is till the Valmiki Ashram which is a leisure walk through the sacred forest with rich flora and fauna. There are some carved stones and a small hut near the ashram where one can stay. A little downhill from the Ashram lies a mountain stream carrying clear potable water. While, the second half of the trek is to Luv Kush Cave from Nalichi ...

Distance from Aurangabad: 274 Kms

At a distance of 13 km from Malshej Ghat, Sindola or Shindola Fort is a small hill fort situated on top of Malshej Ghat Plateau. It is one of the wonderful places of trekking near Pune and among the famous places to visit in Malshej Ghat.

Situated at an altitude of 1128 feet, Sindola mountain is distinct by its pinnacle structure visible from anywhere. Sindola is more of a sort of military base as it offers a whole view of Malshej and the Pargaon region and all of its neighboring forts. Sindola dates back very old at similar times of Nimgiri and Hadsar. Sindola fort is a small fort. Ruins of bastions & only a couple of water cisterns and idols of Ganesh are present on the top.

Sindola is one of the popular trekking places in Malshej Ghat and is a one day trek. There are 3 base villages from where one can start the trek to Sindola Fort. The trek that starts from Karanjale village, is one of the best and popular routes. Bagadwadi at Pargaon is the other starting point of Sindola Fort trek. Karanjale is situated on Kaylan-Malshej-Alephata Highway in between Khubi phata & Velkhind. It is about 2 km from Malshej Ghat Bus Stop at Khubi Phata. The route starts from the fields opposite the signboard of Karanjale village. The 2.5 km trek route is pretty straight forward and easy to moderate climb (monsoon). The route is not marked but is quite distinct as one has to go up and reach Sindola plateau, the start point of the ridge. Climb to the ridge can be started from any ...

Distance from Aurangabad: 231 Kms

At a distance of 30 km from Malshej Ghat, Naneghat is a mountain pass in the Western Ghats of Maharashtra, India. Situated on Kalyan - Ahmednagar Highway near Vaishakhare village, it is one of the wonderful places of trekking in Maharashtra, and among the mus visit places as part of Malshej Ghat tour for adventure lovers.

Situated at an altitude of 2,600 feet, Naneghat, also referred to as Nanaghat or Nana Ghat was a part of an ancient trading route during the reign of the Satavahana (c. 200 BCE - 190 CE). It connected the Konkan coast communities with Deccan high plateau through Junnar. This path was used as a tollbooth to collect toll from traders crossing the hills hence the name Nane Ghat where the word nane means 'coin' and ghat means 'pass'. It is one of the most famous Malshej Ghat tourst places.

The ghat is famous for a huge cave with Middle Indic inscriptions in Brahmi script. These inscriptions have been dated between the 2nd and the 1st century BCE and attributed to the Satavahana dynasty era. There is a temple of Ganesha on the other side of the pass. One can also see a huge rock-cut pot which was used presumably to collect coins from the traders passing by. There are many rock-cut water cisterns along the pass. The entire path of the Nane Ghat has stone ...

Distance from Aurangabad: 295 Kms

At a distance of 2 km from Naneghat and 32 km from Malshej Ghat, Jivdhan Fort is a hill fortress located near Malshej in Maharashtra. Situated near Naneghat, it is one of the historical forts in Malshej Ghat and among the popular trekking places near Pune.
Situated at a height of about 3,757 feet in the Sahyadri Mountain range, Jivdhan Fort is a part of the 'Famous 5' forts near Pune. The other four being the Chavaand, Hadsar, Shivneri, and Naneghat. As per the history, Jivdhan Fort dates back to the Satavahana era and has been a significant fort throughout history due to its proximity to the historic Naneghat. Jivdhan Fort guarded this route, which was a strategic location for many kingdoms. The Mughals imprisoned Murtaza, the last ruler of Adilshahi of Ahmednagar, at Jivdhan Fort. In 1635 Shahaji Bhosle, the father of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj freed him from the prison and declared him the king of Ahmednagar. The fort was sacked and plundered by the British upon siege between 1815 and 1818.

Although the fortifications have crumbled down, one can see a huge storehouse or Kothi, which has was used to store grains. Besides the storehouse, there are several interesting ruins and remnants, including a few water cisterns and a temple dedicated to Goddess Jivai, who is supposed to be the patron deity of the fort. The fort's Northern bastion is in a pretty good condition even today. One can also see a few cisterns and remnants of old buildings near this bastion. From this ...

Distance from Aurangabad: 250 Kms

At a distance of 25 km from Hingoli, 61 km from Nanded, and 204 km from Aurangabad, Aundha Nagnath Temple is an ancient Hindu temple located at Aundha Nagnath in the Hingoli district of Maharashtra, India. This is one of the top places of pilgrimage in Maharashtra, and among the best places to visit near Aurangabad.

Aundha Nagnath Temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and is considered one of the 12 holy Jyotirlinga shrines in India. The other Jyotirlinga shrines in Maharashtra are Vaidyanath near Parli, Trimbakeshwara near Nashik, Grishneshwar near Aurangabad, and Bhimshankar. Also, the temple is very closely associated with the lives of saints like Visoba Khechara, Namdev, and Jnanesvar. Namdev went to Jnanesvar temple where he was instructed to visit Aundha Nagnath Temple to search for a proper guru.

The present temple is said to have been built by the Seuna (Yadava) dynasty and dates to the 13th century. It is believed that Dharmraj (eldest of Pandavs) has constructed the temple first time while they were expelled for 14 years from Hastinapur. It has been stated that the temple was seven-storyed before it was ransacked by Aurangzeb. Later, Rani Ahalyabai Holkar, Queen of the Maratha Malwa Kingdom, repaired and renovated the temple.

Spread over an area of 60,000 sq. ft, Aundha Nagnath Temple was built in Hemadpanthi architectural style. However, its upper portion was repaired during the later ...

Distance from Aurangabad: 200 Kms

At a distance of 60 km from Latur, 105 km from Nanded, 119 km from Aundha, and 219 km from Aurangabad, Sri Vaijnath Temple is an ancient Hindu temple, located at Parli Vaijnath in the Beed district of Maharashtra, India. This is one of the top places of pilgrimage in Maharashtra, and among the best places to visit near Aurangabad.

Aundha Nagnath Temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and is considered one of the 12 holy Jyotirlinga shrines in India. The other Jyotirlinga shrines in Maharashtra are Aundha Naganath near Hingoli, Trimbakeshwara near Nashik, Grishneshwar near Aurangabad, and Bhimshankar. While the exact date of the building of the temple is not known, experts feel that it belongs to the Yadava period that goes back to the 12th or 13th century CE. There are records stating that the temple was renovated by Ahalyadevi Holkar in the year 1706.

There are many legends associated with this temple. One such is the story of Satyavan and Savitri that is said to have taken place at Parli. There is also the legend from the Ramayana about Ravana halting here while on his way to Lanka with the Shivlinga. It is said that to be able to relieve himself, Ravana asked a herdsman to hold the Shivlinga for a while. However, the boy was unable to do so for long and placed it on earth, which is how the jyotirlinga happens to be here. The belief is that Shiva decided to reside here in the form of Vaidyanatheshwar.

The ...

Distance from Aurangabad: 210 Kms

At a distance of 94 km from Pune Junction, Shivneri Fort is an ancient fort situated near Junnar in Pune district of Maharashtra. Shivneri Fort is one of the most magnificent as well as historically rich forts of India. It is a famous trekking destination and also a popular weekend picnic destination near Pune. It is also one of the top tourist places in Pune visiting.

The Shivneri Fort was built during the time of Satavahanas. After the Satavahanas, the Shivneri Fort was occupied by the Shilaharas, the Yadavas, and the Bahamanis. In 1599 AD the hill fort was granted to Shivaji's grandfather, Maloji Bhosale and passed down to Shahaji. Jijabai (Shivaji's mother) spent the days of her pregnancy here and this was the birth place of Shivaji, the famous Maratha warrior who was born in 1630 AD. Shivaji spent his childhood in Shivneri Fort and also undertook his military training here.

Shivneri is a triangular shape hill fort and has its entrance from the South-West side of the hill. Apart from the main gate there is an entrance to the fort from Eastern side called locally as the chain gate, where in one has to hold chains to climb up to the fort gate. The fort extends up to 1 mi with seven spiral well-defended gates. There are mud walls all around the fort. The fort also exhibits a small water pond named Badami Talav, located in the center of the fort. Close to the pond lies the idol of Jijabai along with her son Shivaji. Shiv Janmasthan, Ambarkhana, Kadelot Point, Ganga ...

Distance from Aurangabad: 230 Kms

At a distance of 48 km from Pune Junction, Jejuri is a town and municipality situated to the southeast of the Pune city. The town of Jejuri is renowned for one of the most pious temples in Maharashtra known as Khandoba Temple and is one of the popular tourist places in Pune.

Jejuri Khandoba Temple is dedicated to Khandoba, who is also known as Mhalsakant or Malhari Martand in the region. Khandoba is the important god worshipped by Dhangar, the oldest tribes in Maharashtra. It is believed that Khandoba is a god of Sakamabhakti, the god who fulfills all the desires of his devotees. Jejuri is popular for its old Deep Mala.

The Khandoba temple in Jejuri is built on a hill and offers good views all around. One has to climb a series of almost 200 steps to reach the sanctum sanctorum. There are various stone images of elephants on either sides of the main gateway of the temple. The entire flat plateau above the hill is surrounded by a stone pavement in the center, of which stands the Khandoba shrine. The whole courtyard is surrounded by arched aisles on sides, from which highly ornate balconies with cypress pillars and cusped arches project out. This enclosure has three gateways and the temple faces east. The outermost portion is an arched portico- consisting of a square mandapa and a garbhagriha.

The idol of Sri Khandoba enshrined inside the temple is simply beautiful. There are three weapons housed in Jejuri Temple, a sword, a damaru and a paral. They are very ...

Distance from Aurangabad: 253 Kms

At a distance of 26 km from Vani and 65 km from Nashik, Saptashrungi Devi Mandir is a Hindu temple situated near Nanduri village. The temple lies atop the cliff with an altitude of 1,230 m.

The temple is dedicated to Goddess Saptashrungi. The temple is known popularly as one of the 'three and half Shakti Peethas' of Maharashtra. The temple is also one among the 51 Shakti Peethas located on the Indian subcontinent and is a location where one of Sati's limbs, her right arm is reported to have fallen. It is also believed that the presiding deity of the temple is Mahishasur Mardini, who was the slayer of the demon Mahishasur. At the foot of the hill lies the head of a buffalo, made of stone, which is believed to be that of the demon.

Saptashrungi Temple is a two storied shrine with the Devi enshrined in the top floor. The goddess idol is said to be swayambhu (self-manifested) which was carved on a rock on the sheer face of a mountain. She is surrounded by seven (sapta-in Sanskrit) peaks (shrunga-in Sanskrit), hence the name- Saptashrungi Mata (mother of the seven peaks). The image of Devi is huge-about 10 feet tall with 18 hands, holding various weapons. The idol is always coated with Sindoor, which is considered auspicious in this region. The Devi is decorated with high crown, a silver nose-ring and necklaces.

The most important festival of the Saptashrungi temple is Chaitrotsav. The festival starts on Rama Navami and culminates on Chaitra Poornima (full moon ...

Distance from Aurangabad: 216 Kms

At a distance of 30 km from Nashik, Sinnar is a town and a municipal council in Sinnar taluka of Nashik district in Maharashtra. Sinnar is mainly famous for Sri Gondeshwar Temple and Gargoti Museum. It is one of the famous places to visit near Aurangabad.

Gondeshwar Temple is situated about 2 km from Sinnar Bus Station and it represents the best example of the Hemadpanti style of architecture. The structure was constructed using the locally available black basalt stone and lime. The temple's origin dates back to 12 - 13th century during the Yadava dynasty. Some sources claim that Raj Govinda of the Yadava dynasty built this great temple. Yet another tradition assigns the building to Govindaraja, another Yadava king who ruled about the beginning of the twelfth century AD.

It is a Shaiva Panchayatan or a group of five temples within a large enclosure. The central shrine is dedicated to Lord Shiva and the remaining four temples are dedicated to goddess Parvati, Sri Ganapathi, Surya Bhagwan, and Lord Vishnu. This is the largest, most complete, and best-preserved example of the medieval temples of the Deccan of the Indo-Aryan style.

The temple is an astonishing display of stone carvings and sculptures portraying the stories from the Puranas, Mahabharata & Ramayana. Sculptures of Gods, Goddesses, Apsaras, Yakshas, Kinnaras, and Gandharvas adorn the entire complex. The temple of Lord Shiva is beautifully ...

Distance from Aurangabad: 166 Kms

At a distance of 8 km from Trimbakeshwar and 38 km from Nashik, Dugarwadi waterfall is one of the best natural waterfalls of Maharashtra situated near Sapgon.

Dugarwadi is a great place to explore the beauty of mother nature especially in the monsoon season. The dense forest, waterfall and the fresh air are all seductive. It totally makes one forget about all the hustle-bustle, stress and tensions of the city life. During rains take utmost care because the water level rises suddenly.

To reach the Dugarwadi falls, visitors need to drive up to Sapgon on NH-848, which is about 4 km from Trimbakeshwar. From Sapgon the waterfall parking area is 4 km. After reaching the place, one has to park the vehicles near the road and a walk of 1-2 km is required to reach at the exact place of waterfall. It is recommended to make group visit at Dugarwadi, because there is no security available and it is also a lonely place.

Distance from Aurangabad: 220 Kms

At a distance of 13.5 km from Igatpuri and 59 km from Nashik, Vihigaon waterfall is a seasonal waterfalls situated at Vihigaon village in Thane district of Maharashtra. This is one of the best natural waterfalls of Maharashtra and also a popular weekend getaway from Mumbai and Nashik.

Vihigaon Falls is a monsoon fed waterfall known for its natural vista. The falls is cascading down from a height of about 120 feet into a pool. Also known as Ashoka Waterfall, the Vihigaon Waterfall is located in deep forest. The waterfall is amazing and the way to waterfall consists of a small hiking through hilly forest and visitors may get a chance of bird watching.

The waterfall is an ideal spot for rappelling. In monsoon, this waterfall gives the adventurers an opportunity to rappel in the middle of the thick forest. The waterfall offers about 120 feet of rappelling height, which is covered in an average of 30 minutes by most people. This perfect adventure weekend getaway can take visitors far from the city life and gives a refreshing experience under the lap of nature. The waterfall is also known for serving as a place for many shots of the film, Asoka, starring Shahrukh Khan and Kareena Kapoor.

This place attracts people who are looking for exciting and captivating weekend getaways. Vihigaon is a basic adivasi village. There is no facility for food and accommodation. So carry some food or snacks. This place is so good that one can easily spend one day picnicking here

Distance from Aurangabad: 231 Kms

At a distance of 19 km from Jawhar, 61 km from Trimbakeshwar, 88 km from Nashik and 168 km from Mumbai, Dabhosa waterfall is beautiful waterfall situated at Dabhosa village in Thane district of Maharashtra. This is one of the highest waterfalls in Maharashtra near Mumbai.

The Dabhosa Waterfalls is formed over Lendi River and cascades down from a height of about 300 feet. Dabhosa waterfall is more beautiful in the rainy season with full flow and lot of greenery around. It is a superb adventure spot with Kayaking, Valley Crossing, Zip Line, Rappelling and laddering, Trekking and fishing.

Dabhosa Waterfall Resort and Jawhar Hill Station Resort are the two accommodation options near Dabhosa Waterfalls. These resorts offers various adventurous activities at the falls like Kayaking, Valley Crossing, Zip Line, Rappelling and laddering, Trekking and fishing. The nights are a complete back to nature experience with the roar of the waterfall in the background.

Timings: 7 AM to 6 PM

Distance from Aurangabad: 277 Kms

At a distance of 10 km from Igatpuri, 50 km from Nashik, and 54 km from Trimbakeshwar, Tringalwadi Fort is located at Tringalwadi village in Igatpuri taluka of Nashik district. It is one of the most popular places to visit as part of places to visit in Igatpuri.

Located at an elevation of 3000 feet, the Tringalwadi Fort is one of the must include places in Igatpuri tour packages. The presence of the caves indicates that the caves and the fort might be constructed around the 10th century. The fort was built to overlook the trade route which connected Konkan to the Nashik area. There is no evidence regarding the period during which it was under the control of Marathas, however, during the year 1688 AD Mughals took control over the fort. It is one of the 17 forts which were surrendered to the British in 1818 AD.

The fort attracts hikers and trekkers mainly during the monsoon. The top of the fort looks like a turban and overlooks the entire mountain range. At the foothills of the fort is a cave with beautifully carved entrance and a stone idol of Rishabhanatha in the sanctum. The cave has a large sabha mandapa. The fort also has a small Hanuman temple. One can see the ruins of old buildings and a small Bhavanimata temple on the fort. From the fort, travelers can also have a view of the Kalsubai and Kulang mountain ranges.

The village ...

Distance from Aurangabad: 232 Kms

At a distance of 22 km from Trimbakeshwar and 45 km from Nashik, Harihar Fort or Harihargad is a small hill fort in Upper Vaitarana range near Trimbak in Nashik district of Maharashtra. Also known as Harshgad or Harishgad, the fort is one of the popular monsoon trekking places near Nashik.

Harish Fort was one of the forts in the possession of the Ahmadnagar Sultans. It was visited by Captain Briggs in 1818 AD. In 1636 CE, Harishgad, Trimbakgad, Tringalwadi and few other forts were given by Shahaji to the Mughals. Harishgad was one of the 17 strong places that surrendered to the British on the fall of Trimbak in 1818 CE.

Situated at an altitude of 1120 m (3676 feet), Harihargad lies on a triangular rock with all the three sides vertical and is approachable only from one side i.e. through 200 feet high rock cut staircase. The most fascinating aspect about this trek is the rock cut steps at an angle of 80 degrees that one has to negotiate to enter the fort. Though it is a vertical ladder, the steps are provided with niches for proper grip while ascending. There are 117 steps in all. Ascending and descending through this patch is a thrilling experience.

After climbing up this first set of stairs one can reach the entrance of the fort also called the Darwaja. There is a very narrow path after this which needs to cover very carefully. Again one has to climb 100 steep stairs to reach the top of the fort. The fort has got a tapering plateau with a raised level in ...

Distance from Aurangabad: 230 Kms

At a distance of 18 km from Kannad and 77 km from Aurangabad, the Pitalkhora Caves are an ancient rock cut caves located on Chandora hill near Ambala village in Aurangabad district of Maharashtra.

Pitalkhora consisting of 14 Buddhist Caves and are believed to be one of the earliest of the rock cut cave structures in the vicinity. It is believed that Pitalkhora Caves belongs to 2nd century BC. They are cut in a variety of basalt rock which weathers faster in contrast to other parts in Maharashtra. All the caves belong to the Hinayana period but the painting executed in the caves are of Mahayana period. The caves boast paintings, many sculptures, animal motifs, miniature chaitya windows, wonderful Yaksha figures, the elephants, dwarapalas and mithuna figures. The sculptural representations here are similar to that of found in the stupas of Sanchi, Karla, Nasik, of the same period.

The caves are in two groups, one is a cluster of 10 caves and the second of 4 caves. Out of the 14, four are chaityas (one housing votive stupas, one apsidal and single-cell) and the rest are viharas. The 1st cave, which has been damaged, was used as a monastery or vihara. The 2nd, 3rd and 4th caves have similar courtyards and seem to belong to the same period.

The Cave 3 has the best paintings and there are 37 pillars that separate the aisle from the hall. The inscriptions on each pillar indicate that they were added individually ...

Distance from Aurangabad: 80 Kms

At a distance of 48 km from Solapur, Naldurg Fort is a historic fort in Naldurg town of Osmanabad district in Maharashtra state of India. It is one of the famous places of heritage in Maharashtra, and among the top places to visit near Solapur.

Naldurg Fort is considered to be one of the strongest and impregnable forts of Deccan. There is a belief that Nalaraja (The King Nala) built this fort. Other sources said that it was built by a Hindu Raja who was a vassal of the Chalukya kings of Kalyani. It was later included in the dominions of the Bahmanis and was subsequently taken over by the Adil Shahi kings of Bijapur, from whom it passed in the hands of the Mughals in the year 1686 AD. The fort was earlier known as Yeral, when it is under the Bahamani Sultans from 1351 to 1480, before it was handed over to the Mughal Empire. Later the Adil Shahi rulers constructed the massive fortification wall in 1558.

Spread over a large area, the Naldurg Fort has the classic Indo-Islamic style of architecture, and is a township by itself. Naldurg Fort along with Murud-Janjira Sea Fort, and the Raigad Hill Fort, forms the holy trinity of forts in Maharashtra. The unique feature of the fort is that it encloses a knoll of basalt rock which juts out into the valley of the small Bori River, and is fortified on all three sides. The fort is home to 114 bastions and a highest point called Upali Buruj. The bastions of Naldurg Fort are in ...

Distance from Aurangabad: 297 Kms

At a distance of 22 km from Solapur, the Great Indian Bustard Sanctuary is a wildlife sanctuary situated at Nannaj near Solapur. Also known as the Jawaharlal Nehru Bustard Sanctuary, it is one of the famous wildlife places in Maharashtra, and among the must-include places in Solapur packages.

The Great Indian Bustard Sanctuary is one of those exclusive places in India which is the home to gigantic and enormously beautiful Indian Bustards (Ardeotis nigriceps). The sanctuary happened to be discovered by B.S. Kulkarni in the year 1972. The Government of Maharashtra declared the Great Indian Bustard Sanctuary as a wildlife reserve with the sole objective of conserving the rarest species of Great Indian Bustard in 1979. Even the late Dr. Salim Ali, India's best-known ornithologist, paid a visit here for some research. Many efforts have been made by famous ornithologists and bird lovers for the protection of the sanctuary.

Maharashtra is one of the six states of India where great Indian Bustards are still seen. The other states are Gujarat, Rajasthan, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, and Madhya Pradesh. The sanctuary, spread across an original area of 8,469 sq. km, covers the area of North Solapur, Madha, Mohol and Karmala Talukas of Solapur district and Karjat, Shrigonda, Newasa Talukas of Ahmednagar district. The sanctuary headquarters are Nannaj and Rehekuri.

The sanctuary is barren, deserted yet extremely beautiful, ...

Distance from Aurangabad: 300 Kms

At a distance of 52 km from Pune and 11 km from Yavat, Bhuleshwar is an ancient Hindu temple situated on a hill near Malshiras in Pune district of Maharashtra. It has been declared as a protected monument and is maintained by Archeological Survey of India.

The temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and was built in 13th century during Yadava Rulers. It is believed that the temple was ruined by Muslim invaders and reconstructed later because the entrance of the temple is hidden like Gaimukhi Buruj construction of Shivaji's time. The fort on which the temple is situated is called as Daulat Mangalgad Fort.

The temple is unique because of its architecture. Black basalt rock was brought to construct this temple which is different as compared to surrounding brownish color basalt rock. From outside it appears to more as a mosque than a temple due to its resemblance to Islamic architecture like circular domes and minarets. There are classical carvings on the walls.

The temple contains five Shivlingas in its sanctum. Owing to their being hidden in a trench, these Shiva Lingams can be seen in light. Goddess Lakshmi, Lord Vishnu and Lord Mahadev are also housed in this temple. The temple also has an idol of Ganesh in female attire and is popularly called as Ganeshwari or Lambodari or Ganeshyani.

This temple gets huge crowds during Mahashivratri. There is a local belief, when a bowl of sweet is offered to Lord Shiva, one or more of the sweets disappear. A little further ...

Distance from Aurangabad: 235 Kms

At a distance of 96 km from Pune, Junnar Caves are ancient rock cut caves situated at Junnar in Pune district of Maharashtra. Junnar has the largest and longest cave excavations in India. These are the ASI protected monuments and also one of the popular Pune tourist places.

Junnar has over 200 independent excavations spread over four hills. All the excavations belong to the Hinayana phase and are datable from mid-3rd century BC to late 3rd century AD. The presence of largest number of rock cut excavations and a large number of inscriptions enabling a paleographical study makes Junnar a prominent site for the study of rock cut architecture. Here there are 24 inscriptions, which provide useful paleographical data for the relative dating of the caves.

Junnar Caves are classified into various groups depending upon the location of these excavations. They are Tulja Caves, Manmodi Group of Caves, Shivneri Group of Caves and Lenyadri or Ganesh Lena Caves. The Lenyadri or Ganesh Lena Group is the main group and located 6 km north of Junnar across the River Kukdi. The hill is variously known as Sulaiman Pahar and Ganesh Pahar. There are nearly 40 caves in this group of which the main group of 30 caves are located in a line and stretch from east to west, all facing south and overlooking the Valley of Kukdi River. Among them Cave 6 and 14 are chaityagrihas and the remaining are viharas. Of which Cave 7 is the largest and also houses the image of Ganesh. It is one of the Ashtavinayak ...

Distance from Aurangabad: 226 Kms

At a distance of 35 km from Mahal, 50 km from Ahwa, 78 km from Waghai, and 89 km from Saputara, Girmal is a breathtaking waterfall situated at Girmal village near Saputara in Gujarat. Situated inside Purna Wildlife Sanctuary, it is the highest waterfall in Gujarat and among the prime places to visit near Saputara.

Girmal Waterfall is formed over Girmal River. It cascades down from a height of more than 100 feet. Hidden inside dense forests of Dangs, Girmal Falls has picturesque beauty in monsoon season. The water fluently crashes from great height, forming clouds of fog, through which one can often experience rainbows.

Enroute to Girmal near village Gavdahad, the river Gira takes a complete U-turn. Forest department has developed a beautiful viewpoint exactly above the U-turn. Watching a massive green patch of Purna Sanctuary surrounded by U-shaped Gira is a spectacular experience. Eco-Development Committee (EDC) of the Forest department runs a restaurant named as 'U-turn restaurant' at this juncture. With four Girli Lodges with attached bathrooms and an Interpretation Centre, the place is a nice refreshing spot.

As the fall gets dried up during the summer, the best time to visit the Girmal Falls is in between July and December. Forest department has made reasonably good sitting arrangements and viewpoints and a paved pathway leading towards the tip of the falls. There are some make shift stalls selling tea and snacks during the season.

Timings: 8 ...

Distance from Aurangabad: 300 Kms

At a distance of 27 km from Burhanpur, Asirgarh Fort is a historical fort situated at Asirgarh village near Burhanpur. Located on Asha Devi Road, it is one of the major places of heritage near Indore, and among the prime places to visit as part of Burhanpur packages.

Stands impregnable in the Satpura Ranges, Asirgarh Fort is said to have been built by a king named Asa Ahir in the early 15th century. He was murdered by Nasir Khan of Khandesh. Nasir Khan's descendant Miran Bahadur Khan (1596-1600) declared independence and refused to pay homage to Mughal emperor Akbar. Enraged, Akbar marched Burhanpur in 1599 and captured the entire city. He then also besieged the fort and captured it in 1601. The fortress was later held by the Marathas, and it was twice captured, in 1803 and 1819, by the British. This fort has been deserted following the departure of the British.

This is the fort where Mughal Emperor Jahangir imprisoned his eldest son, the rebellious Prince Khusraw after blinding him, and he was allegedly murdered by Prince Khurram, the third son of Emperor Jahangir. History came haunting back when Shah Jahan's beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal died here while giving birth to her fourteenth child. Mumtaz Mahal was first buried in Burhanpur, before ultimately finding a place to rest at the inimitable Taj Mahal. Asirgarh was also the seat of Emperor ...

Distance from Aurangabad: 241 Kms