WESTERN CAVES OF INDIA
Mumbai, Aurangabad
Day 1: ARRIVAL MUMBAI
Upon arrival at Mumbai international airport, you will be met by our representative who will assist you with the arrival transfer and check in formalities at the hotel.
Day 2: MUMBAI
Today after breakfast transfer to gateway of India to board ferry for visit to Elephanta Islands
Elephanta Caves: The rock-cut Hindu temples at Elephanta, an island 6 miles across the harbour provide exciting glimpse of Indian sculpture dating from 600 AD. Huge panels depict episodes relating to Lord Shiva, the central one being the most imposing one - a five metre bust of the god, represents his three aspects as creator, preserver and destroyer.
After completing the sightseeing tour of Elephanta caves return back to gateway of India to start sightseeing of Mumbai: Political capital of Maharashtra and commercial capital of India, it has no recorded ancient past. Although Buddhist and Hindu dynasties ruled the region until around the 13th century, there were only scattered settlements on the island. The real development of Bombay commenced soon after under the East India Company. Gateway of India built to commemorate the royal visit of George V and Queen Mary in 1911, the Prince of Wales Museum housing collection of Indo Saracenic architecture, Flora Fountain, Victoria Terminus, St. Thomas Cathedral, Crawford Market, Malabar Hill and the Hanging Gardens and Dhobi Ghat (Washerman's village) are some of the attractions.
Return back to the hotel for overnight stay.
Day 3: MUMBAI- AURANGABAD (By: Flight)
Today in time transfer to airport to board flight for Aurangabad.
Upon arrival in Aurangabad, transfer and check in at the hotel. Later in the afternoon visit Ellora Caves:-
34 cave temples were carved out of the hillside with hand tools. Only 12 of these 34 caves are Buddhist. The 17 Hindu caves in the centre are the most impressive. The massive Kailash Temple(cave 16) is nearly one and half times taller than the Parthenon and occupies almost twice its area. It is believed that it was constructed by excavating approx. 200,000 tones of rock and is possibly the world's largest monolithic structure. Shiva's Himalayan home, the temple is exquisitely sculpted with scenes from Hindu mythology, each pulsing with drama and passion. The depiction of the demon Ravana shaking Mount Kailash is a masterpiece.
After completing the sightseeing, return back to the hotel for overnight stay.
Day 4: AURANGABAD
After breakfast proceed for a full day sightseeing of Aurangabad visiting Ajanta Caves: these caves were discovered in 1819 by a British hunting party. There isolation had contributed to the fine state of preservation in which some of the paintings over 2000 years old remain to this day. Aurangabad is known for the caves excavated and painted by Buddhist monks between 200BC and AD 600. The 30 caves at Ajanta are the superb example of India's finest artistic treasures. They depict scenes from the life of the Buddha and Buddhist fables with skill and devotion. The best known caves(1,12,16,17, 19) contain magnificent depictions of the bodhisattvas, Avlokitesvara and Padmapani.
After completing the sightseeing of Ajanta caves proceed for the sightseeing of Aurangabad city visiting Bibi ka Maqbara, Daulatabad Fort and Panchakki.
Daulatabad Fort: is situated 13 km from Aurangabad. The fort stands on a pyramid shaped hill. It was previously known as Devgiri. Bhillama, the king of the Yadav dynasty built it in the 12th century. It was Mohammed Bin Tughlaq who gave the name Daulatabad which means city of fortune. The fort of the city is built on top of a high hill. It is surrounded by thick walls and has transfixed gates. Steep slip ways and a deep ditch can also be seen. Curled network of secret, teasing and underground transitions can also be seen in the fort.
The monument Bibi Ka Maqbara was built in 1679 AD by Aurangzeb’s son. He built it in memory of his mother Rabia. Ata Ullah was the architect and he based the design on the Taj Mahal. The memorial is built of sandstone with plastered walls and has a marble dome. It has an flowery wall around with an entrance which provides the best view of the memorial. The enclosure of the tomb is made of marble and is octagonal.
Panchakki otherwise known as the water mill was built during the early years of the 17th century. The mill used to grind grains for the pilgrims. It was so designed that it generated energy through water which was brought from a spring on a mountain. These pipes are lined up at particular distances. To allow the water to flow through the pumps masonry pillars are erected. Water through the pipes flows with a force and it rises to a huge raised masonry pillar and from there it falls to make an attractive water fall.
After completing the sightseeing, return back to the hotel for overnight stay.
Day 5: AURANGABAD- MUMBAI (By: Flight)
Morning transfer to airport to connect flight for Mumbai, upon arrival in Mumbai board flight for onward destination [no room booked in Mumbai].
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