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Ghrishneshwar
Temple is an important Shivate temple located 30-km away from Aurangabad,
just half a kilometre from the Ellora Caves. There are twelve shrines in
India, which holds the magnificent 'Jyotirlingas'. Ghrishneshwar Temple is
one among the twelve Jyotirlingas in the country. There are various
versions of the name itself, such as "Kusumeswara Jyotirlinga", "Grushmeswara
Jyotirlinga" and "Grishneswara Jyotirlinga". Worshippers of
Shiva flock this temple every year to pay homage to the deity.
Pitalkhora Caves are located about 40-km northwest of Ellora near Aurangabad. The caves dating from the 2nd century BC to the 1st century AD are cut into the side of a secluded ravine. Comprising mainly viharas, which form the largest group of 'Hinayana' Buddhist structures. The story of 'Pitalkhora' is shrouded, but the site has yielded many unusual sculptures, including wonderful 'Yaksha' figures.
Khuldabad, or the Abode of Eternity, is a walled town just 3-km from Ellora. It is a holy shrine for the Muslims and contains the tomb of the last Mughal emperor, Aurangzeb. The dargah, or tomb of Moinuddin Chishti, the spiritual guide of the Mughal emperor, Aurangzeb, is within this sacred complex.
The
state of Maharashtra is home to the charming Ajanta and Ellora group of
caves. The city of Aurangabad shot to fame as the world's most famous
caves, Ajanta and Ellora are situated about 108-kms northeast of
Aurangabad. These caves lie deep within the Sahyadri hills, cut into the
curved mountainside, above the Waghora River. They constitute one of the
most beautiful expressions of the art of the Indian Middle Ages, and are
designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Paithan, an ancient city and pilgrimage centre situated on
the banks of the river Godavari, 51 kms south of Aurangabad. Paithan caves
are situated 56-km south of Aurangabad on the banks of the river Godavari.
The modern village of Paithan was built on top of a large settlement of
mound that extends back to early history and perhaps prehistory. It was
previously known as "Pratisthan" and was the ancient capital
city of the Satvahanas from 2nd Century BC. Located deep in the Daroq
Mountains, Paithan caves are not often visited by nightmare adventurers
because of its tradition of death. Today, it is also an important
excavation site. Centuries ago, the famous Marathi poet - saint, Eknath
lived here 
.
Impressive in their own right, the rock-hewn temples and
monasteries of Ellora are just 30-km away from Aurangabad. Among the
30-odd shrines at Ellora, the Kailash temple is the most remarkable.
Chiselled by hand from a single massive rock, it includes a gateway,
courtyard, vestibule and tower.