Aurangabad

We stayed in Aurangabad mainly because of its proximity to the Ajanta and Ellora caves, but the city was interesting too. It is called the "City of Gates" because of the 52 remaining gates from the old city wall. The Muslim population is quite high for India, 39%, compared to the national average of 13%. Our driver was clearly proud of this great ethnic mix.
Aurangabad  Hilltop temple seen on the way to the Aurangabad Caves Aurangabad  The peaceful Aurangabad Caves were carved out in the 6th or 7th century by Buddhists. Aurangabad  The Aurangabad Caves Aurangabad  American tourist at the Aurangabad Caves Aurangabad  Closer to the upper caves
Aurangabad  Inside the upper caves Aurangabad  Parrot on the cliff wall Aurangabad  More parrots Aurangabad  Pillared cave Aurangabad  Sculptures inside the caves
Aurangabad  Dying (or dead?) Buddha Aurangabad  View from the Aurangabad Caves towards the city, with the towers and dome of the Bibi-qa-Maqbara in the foreground. Aurangabad  Curious landscape Aurangabad  Girl students on a visit to the Bibi-qa-Maqbara Aurangabad  The Bibi-qa-Maqbara, aka the "poor man's Taj", was built by Aurangzeb for his wife in 1679. As anyone can see, it is patterned after the tomb Aurangzeb's father built for his own wife in Agra.
Aurangabad  Bibi-qa-Maqbara Aurangabad  Aurangzeb, the last of the great Mughal emperors, made Aurangabad his capital from 1653 to 1707. This is part of the old city wall. Aurangabad  The Mecca Gate, one of Aurangabad's 52 old city gates Aurangabad  Ladies using a curious Indian implement, sort-of a cross between a pick and a hoe, to dig a ditch. Note the man, who is "supervising". Aurangabad  Swing that pick...
Aurangabad  A small mosque area called the Panchakki, after an ancient water wheel which it appears you can still see. We could not. Aurangabad  The peaceful Panchakki area is a memorial garden around the grave of a Sufi saint, Baba Shah Muzaffar. Aurangabad  Lovely old banyan tree Aurangabad  Colorful tree Aurangabad  Panchakki mosque
Aurangabad  Clothes for sale, hung from lines in the trees at a market area in downtown Aurangabad Aurangabad  Friendly fig seller Aurangabad  Street in downtown Aurangabad Aurangabad  Muslim ladies on motorcycle Aurangabad  This gentleman wanted his picture taken, so Siv took it.
Aurangabad  Muslim women and children in downtown Aurangabad Aurangabad  Happy chikku vendor in downtown Aurangabad Aurangabad  Lady and baby at the market Aurangabad  Cow, cart and Indian trucks