Aurangabad city was founded in 1604, on the site of a village, Khirki by Malik Ambar Prime Minister of Nizam Shahi of Ahmednagar. When Fateh Khan, Malik Ambar's son turned successor in 1626, he gave the city the name 'Fatehpur'. Later in 1653, when Prince Aurangzeb became Viceroy of the Deccan, he made the city his capital and called it Aurangabad.

AJANTA CAVES
Nestling in an inner fold of the Sahyadri hills, 100 kms from Aurangabad in the shape of a Horse-s, are the 30 rock-hewn caves of Ajanta, based on Jataka Tales of Buddhist life dating from 2nd Century B.C. Discovered in 1819, by a group of British officers, these startling achievements took around 600 years to create. Carved with little more than a hammer and chisel, Ajanta, once the retreat of Buddhist monastic orders features several 'Chaityas' and 'Viharas'. The exquisite paintings and sculptures of Buddha's life belong to the Mahayana & Hinayana period. (Closed on Monday)

ELLORA CAVES
Impressive in their own right are the rock-hewn temples and monasteries of Ellora that lie just 30 kms. Away from Aurangabad city. In all, there are 34 cave temples.

12 Buddhist caves (550-750 A.D.), 17 Hindu caves (600-875 A.D.) and 5 caves of the Jain faith (800-1000 A.D.). 22 more caves, dedicated to Shiva, were recently discovered. Kailas temple, the central attraction of Ellora, is the most remarkable. (Closed on Tuesday).

GHRISHNESHWAR TEMPLE
It is situated near Ellora Caves. This Jyotirlinga is said to be self incarnated. According to historical records, it was built in the 18th century. It is the last Jyotirlinga without which the journey to the Jyotirlingas is not considered to be complete.

DAULATABAD FORT
Fourteen Kilometers north east of Aurangabad, the road to Ellora caves cuts through the ramparts of Daulatabad one of the greatest forts of Deccan.

Daultabad was originally known as Devgiri headquarters of the Yadavas, the most powerful rules of Marathawada in the centuries prior to the conquest of the Delhi forces in 1296.

While the remains of royal and religious structures are doted throughout the site, many of them are now in ruins and present overgrown piles of rubble. Ongoing excavations of the site, particularly kataka are revealing vestiges of courtly residences, water works, and service structures, some of which appear to date back to Bahamani times. The houses of the present day villages are probably built over the earlier remains.

KHULDABAD
Khuldabad, or heavenly abode, is a holy shrine for the Muslims containing the tomb of the last Moghul Emperor Aurangazeb. It is just a few kms away from Ellora.

SHIRDI
Popularly known as the 'Child of God', Sai Baba preached tolerance towards all religions and the message of universal brotherhood. 150 Kms from Aurangabad.

Every activity at Shirdi revolves around the vast temple complex dedicated to Sai Baba. Devotees start queuing up in the early hours of down to catch a glimpse and seek the blessings of the life-size statue of Sai Baba. Thursday is marked by special pujas and darshan of the Sai Baba statue. There are other places of interest that devotees can visit as well including Dwarkamani Mosque where the Baba meditated and slept on alternate nights. Near the mosque, in a corridor is the dhuni or eternal flame that burns day and night.

SHANI SHINGANAPUR
Famous for its temple of Shri Shanaishwar is a villaged called Shinganapur, 11 km off the Pune-Aurangabad highway. Shani Shingnapur is one of the frequently visited places by devotees visiting Shirdi. People visiting this holy place will be surprised to find that all the houses here do not have doors.

PAITHAN
Situated 51 kilometers south of Aurangabad on the right bank of the Godavari River, Paithan is one of Marathawadas most ancient cities. By far the most picturesque aspect of Paithan are the bathing Ghats. The city is particularly well known for intricately waven and brilliantly coloredsilk saris, known as Paithanis, which are manufactured locally. Visitors may also enjoy the Dnyaneshwar Udyan, the largest garden in Maharashtra, planned on the lines of the Brindavan Gardens in Mysore.

JAYAKWADI BIRDS SANCTUARY
This area has attracted many species of resident and migratory birds. Nearly 200 species of birds are in this area, which includes more than 70 species of migratory birds out of which 45 major species are of international migration. Some individual species of migratory birds are more than 15000 in number. Notable amongst migratory birds are Cranes, Flamingos, Brahmany Duck, Pochards Teals, Pintails, Wigeon, Shavellor, God Wit, Shauces, Glossy lbis, etc. It is a habitat for resting of local resident birds. There are nearly 50 species of fishes also found in the area.

BIBI-KA-MAQBARA
Situated about 5 kms from the Aurangabad city is Bibi Ka Maqbara, the burial place of Aurangazeb's 1st wife, Rabia-ud-Durrani. It is an imitation of the Taj at Agra, termed as the Taj Mahal of deccan. It was erected by prince Azam Shah one of Aurangazeb's sons, in memory of Begum Rabia Durani, his mother.

LONAR
Here's a chance to see India's magnificent hypervelocity meteorite-impact crater. Lonar ranks 3rd amongst the world's five largest craters. Investigations reveal it to be around 50000 to 60000 years old. Within the depression lies a saline lake.

See the ruins of temples constructed in Hemadanti style, where Lord Narasimha, Ganesh, Renukadevi and Shiva were once worshipped. At the village around the crater, you can listen to many legends about Lonar. A fascinating sight is the presence of hundreds of peafowls, which live inside the crater. Besides other resident and migratory birds, you can spot monitor lizards, Hanuman langoors, chinkaras and gazelles, if you're lucky.

NANDED
Nanded is one of the historical places in Marathwada region of Maharashtra State. It is situated on the north bank of Godavari river. It is famous for Sikh Gurudwaras. Nanded is a town of a great antiquity. It is said that during the Puranic days, Pandavas traveled through Nanded district. Nandas ruled over Nanded through generations. In 1708, the year following the deaof Aurangazeb, his son accompanied by Guru Govind Singh the tenth spiritual leader of the Sikhs came over to Nanded, his permanent abode.

It was he who preached amongst the Sikhs that there need not be any spiritual leader for them and they should take Granthsaheb as their leader. A monument has been constructed at place where he breathed his last. A Gurudwara has also been constructed there. It is known as Shri Huzur Abchalnagar Sachkhand Gurudwara.