View source for Aurangabad district Maharashtra-69715

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{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2025}}
{{Use Indian English|date=February 2025}}
{{Infobox settlement
| name = Aurangabad district
| official_name = Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar district
| settlement_type = [[List of districts of Maharashtra|District]]
| total_type = Total
| image_skyline = {{Photomontage
  |size=250
  |photo1a=Kailasha temple at ellora.JPG {{!}} A side view of the Kailasha Temple at the Ellora Caves. The temple was carved from a single rock formation.
  |photo2a=AJANTA CAVES - C.SHELARE (2).jpg {{!}} Ajanta Cave 19
  |photo2b=Ajanta Caves 20180921 132619.jpg {{!}} Ajanta Cave 19 - right of the entrance
  |photo3a=Bibi Ka Maqbara , Aurangabad.JPG {{!}} Rabia Daurani's tomb (Bibi-Ka-Maqbara)
  |photo3b=Tomb Aurangzeb.jpg {{!}} Aurangazeb's tomb in Khuldabad
  |photo4a=Daulatabad, Aurangabad - panoramio (289).jpg {{!}} Daulatabad Fort near Aurangabad
  }}
| image_caption = From top, left to right: [[Kailasa Temple, Ellora|Kailasha temple]] at the [[Ellora Caves]]; facade of [[Ajanta Caves|Ajanta Cave]] 19; Buddha carvings to the right of Cave 19's entrance; [[Bibi Ka Maqbara]];  [[Tomb of Aurangzeb|Tomb of Emperor Aurangzeb Alamgir]], [[Khuldabad]]; [[Daulatabad Fort]]
| mapframe = yes
| map_alt = 
| map_caption = Location in Maharashtra
| coordinates = {{Coord|19|53|19.63|N|75|20|36.37|E|region:IN|display=title}}
| coor_pinpoint = Aurangabad, Maharashtra
| subdivision_type = Country
| subdivision_name = {{flag|India}}
| subdivision_type1 = [[States and union territories of India|State]]
| subdivision_name1 = [[Maharashtra]]
| subdivision_type2 = Division
| subdivision_name2 = [[Aurangabad division|Aurangabad]]
| established_title = Established
| established_date = 
| seat_type = Headquarters
| seat = [[Aurangabad]]
| parts_type = [[Tehsil]]s
| parts_style = para
| p1 = {{Collapsible list|framestyle=border:none; padding:0;|title=List of tehsils|1=[[Aurangabad]]|2=[[Paithan]]|3=[[Vaijapur]]|4=[[Gangapur, Maharashtra|Gangapur]]|5=[[Khuldabad]]|6=[[Phulambri]]|7=[[Kannad]]|8=[[Sillod]]|9=[[Soegaon]]}}
| area_total_km2 = 10,100
| area_footnotes = 
| population_as_of = 2011
| population_total = 3,701,282
| population_footnotes = 
| population_urban = 37.53%
| population_density_km2 = auto
| demographics_type1 = Demographics
| demographics1_title1 = [[Literacy in India|Literacy]]
| demographics1_info1 = 79.02%
| demographics1_title2 = Sex ratio
| demographics1_info2 = 924
| governing_body = Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar Zilla Parishad
| leader_title = Guardian Minister
| leader_name = [[Abdul Sattar (Maharashtra politician)|Abdul Sattar]]<br/> Additional charge <br /> ([[Government of Maharashtra|Cabinet Minister]])
| leader_title1 = President Zilla Parishad
| leader_name1 = *President<br />Meena Shelke
*Vice-President<br />Lahanu Gaikwad
| leader_title2 = District collector
| leader_name2 = Deelip Swami (IAS)
| leader_title3 = CEO Zilla Parishad
| leader_name3 = Nilesh R. Gatne  (IAS)
| leader_title4 = [[List of members of the 17th Lok Sabha|MPs]]
| leader_name4 = *[[Sandipanrao Bhumre]]<br />([[Aurangabad (Maharashtra Lok Sabha constituency)|Aurangabad]])
*[[Kalyan Kale]]<br /> ([[Jalna (Lok Sabha constituency)|Jalna]])
| timezone1 = [[Indian Standard Time|IST]]
| utc_offset1 = +05:30
| registration_plate = MH-20 &amp; MH-57
| blank_name_sec1 = [[Roads in India|Major highways]]
| blank_info_sec1 = [[National Highway 211 (India)|NH-211]]
| website = {{URL|https://chhatrapatisambhajinagar.maharashtra.gov.in/}}
| blank1_name_sec1 = [[Official Language]]
| blank1_info_sec1 = [[Marathi language|Marathi]]
| blank_name_sec2 = [[Per capita income]](Aurangabad district)
| blank_info_sec2 = [[Indian rupee|INR]] 1,63,325(2019–20)<ref>{{cite web|last1=Records|first1=Official|title=Per capita income of district of Maharashtra 2019-20|url=https://mls.org.in/|website=economy Department, Government of Maharashtra, India|publisher=Maharashtra Vidhanmanda|access-date=29 June 2022|archive-date=8 August 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220808123026/http://mls.org.in/|url-status=dead}}</ref>
| blank1_name_sec2 = [[Nominal gross domestic product]](Aurangabad district)
| blank1_info_sec2 = [[Indian rupee|INR]] 98,804 [[crores]] (2022–23)<ref>{{cite web |last1=Records |first1=Official |title=nominal gross district Domestic Product of Maharashtra 2019-20 |url=https://mls.org.in/ |website=economy Department, Government of Maharashtra, India|publisher=Maharashtra Vidhanmanda |access-date=29 June 2022 |archive-date=8 August 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220808123026/http://mls.org.in/ |url-status=dead}}</ref>
}}

'''Aurangabad district''' (Marathi pronunciation: [[Help:IPA/Marathi|[əu̯ɾəŋɡaːbaːd̪]]]),<ref>Urdu pronunciation:[[Help:IPA/Hindi and Urdu|[ɔːɾəŋɡaːbaːd̪]]]</ref> officially known as '''Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar district''',<ref>{{Citation |title=District Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar |work=Government of Maharashtra {{!}} India |url=https://aurangabad.gov.in/en/ |access-date=29 December 2024 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Malik |first=Faisal |date=16 September 2023 |title=Aurangabad formally renamed Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Osmanabad as Dharashiv|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/mumbai-news/aurangabad-formally-renamed-chhatrapati-sambhajinagar-osmanabad-as-dharashiv-101694855493622.html |work=[[Hindustan Times]]  |access-date=8 September 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231009110219/https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/mumbai-news/aurangabad-formally-renamed-chhatrapati-sambhajinagar-osmanabad-as-dharashiv-101694855493622-amp.html |archive-date=9 October 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Gokhale |first1=Omkar |date=9 May 2024 |title=In relief to Maharashtra govt, Bombay HC dismisses pleas against renaming of Aurangabad, Osmanabad cities and districts |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/mumbai/aurangabad-osmanabad-cities-districts-renaming-maharashtra-govt-bombay-hc-9315425/ |work=The Indian Express |access-date=8 September 2024}}</ref> is one of the 36 [[Districts of Maharashtra|districts]] of the state of [[Maharashtra]] in western [[India]]. It borders the districts of [[Nashik District|Nashik]] to the west, [[Jalgaon District|Jalgaon]] to the north, [[Jalna District|Jalna]] to the east, and [[Ahmednagar District|Ahmednagar]] to the south. [[Aurangabad|The city of Aurangabad]] houses the district's administrative headquarters. The district has an area of 10,100&amp;nbsp;km{{sup|2}}, of which 37.55% is urban and the rest is rural. Aurangabad District is a [[Tourism in Marathwada|major tourism region in Marathwada]], with attractions including the [[Ajanta Caves]] and [[Ellora Caves]].

==Geography==
Aurangabad District is located mainly in the [[Godavari River]] Basin and partly in the [[Tapti River]] Basin. The district is located between [[19th parallel north|19]] and [[20th parallel north|20 degrees north]] longitude and between [[74th meridian east|74]] and [[76th meridian east|76 degrees east]] latitude, covering an area of 10,100&amp;nbsp;km{{sup|2}}.<ref name="About District">{{cite web |url=https://aurangabad.gov.in/about-district/ |title=About District |date=28 April 2020 |website=District Aurangabad |publisher=Government of Maharashtra |access-date=17 May 2020}}</ref>

===Geology===
====Geological formations====
Aurangabad District lies on the [[Deccan Plateau]] and is covered by the [[Deccan Traps]], which formed during the [[Late Cretaceous]] and [[Ypresian|Lower Eocene]] ages. Thin alluvial deposits lie above the Deccan Traps along the major rivers.  The basaltic lava flows belonging to the Deccan Traps are the only major geological formation in the district. The lava flows are horizontal, with each flow featuring two distinct layers. The upper layer consists of vesicular and amygdule zeolitic [[basalt]], while the lower layer consists of massive basalt.<ref>K.R. Aher and S.M. Deshpande 'Assessment of Water Quality of the Maniyad Reservoir of Parala Village, district Aurangabad: Suitability for Multipurpose Usage Vol.1(3), pp 91–95, 2011, E-ISSN 2249-8109.</ref>

====Elevation and mountains====
The average height of southern portion of the district is between 600 and 670 metres.  The district features four distinct mountains:<ref name="About District"/>
* Antur – 827 m
* Abbasgad – 671 m
* Satonda – 552 m
* Ajintha – 578 m

====Rivers====
The major rivers in Aurangabad District are the [[Godavari River|Godavari]], [[Purna River (tributary of Godavari)|Purna]], [[Shivana River|Shivana]], and Kham rivers.<ref name="About District"/>

The Narangi River rises on the southern slopes of the water divide south of the Maniyad River near the village of Naral.  It flows past [[Vaijapur]], where it is joined by the Deo Nala River from Nasik District. The Narangi follows a long south-southwesterly course before its point of entry into the Godavari. It is joined by the Chor nala from the west and the Kurla nala from the east, continuing the trend of the Kurla River after the Kurla's confluence.{{citation needed|date=May 2020}}

===Climate===
The rainy season lasts from June through September and the average rainfall is 734&amp;nbsp;mm.  The temperature ranges from 14 to 40 degrees Celsius on average.  The winter season is from October to February and the summer season is from March to May.

{{Weather box
|location = Aurangabad
|metric first = Yes
|single line = Yes
|Jan high C = 29.7
|Feb high C = 32.5
|Mar high C = 36.1
|Apr high C = 39.0
|May high C = 39.9
|Jun high C = 34.9
|Jul high C = 30.3
|Aug high C = 29.1
|Sep high C = 30.4
|Oct high C = 32.6
|Nov high C = 30.9
|Dec high C = 29.3
|year high C = 32.9
|Jan low C = 14.2
|Feb low C = 16.3
|Mar low C = 20.2
|Apr low C = 23.7
|May low C = 24.6
|Jun low C = 23.0
|Jul low C = 21.8
|Aug low C = 21.1
|Sep low C = 20.9
|Oct low C = 19.7
|Nov low C = 16.4
|Dec low C = 14.0
|year low C = 19.7
|Jan precipitation mm = 2.2
|Feb precipitation mm = 2.9
|Mar precipitation mm = 5.1
|Apr precipitation mm = 6.3
|May precipitation mm = 25.5
|Jun precipitation mm = 131.4
|Jul precipitation mm = 167.0
|Aug precipitation mm = 165.0
|Sep precipitation mm = 135.3
|Oct precipitation mm = 52.6
|Nov precipitation mm = 29.3
|Dec precipitation mm = 8.4
|year precipitation mm = 731.0
|source=[http://www.imd.gov.in/section/climate/nasik2.htm IMD]
|date=February 2011}}

==Demographics==
{{historical populations|11=1901|12=4,44,492|13=1911|14=5,33,331|15=1921|16=4,36,921|17=1931|18=5,79,857|19=1941|20=6,56,289|21=1951|22=7,14,894|23=1961|24=9,43,092|25=1971|26=12,41,195|27=1981|28=15,89,754|29=1991|30=22,18,615|31=2001|32=29,02,602|33=2011|34=37,01,282|percentages=pagr|footnote=source:<ref>[http://www.censusindia.gov.in/2011census/PCA/A2_Data_Table.html Decadal Variation In Population Since 1901]</ref>|align=center}}

According to the [[2011 census of India|2011 census]], Aurangabad District has a [[Demographics of India|population]] of 3,701,282 inhabitants and a population density of {{convert|365|PD/sqkm|PD/sqmi}}. It is the 72nd most populous district in India out of [[List of districts in India|640]], and the [[Family planning in India|population growth rate]] between 2001 and 2011 was 27.33%.<ref name=districtcensus>{{cite web |title=District Census Hand Book – Aurangabad |url=https://censusindia.gov.in/nada/index.php/catalog/778/download/2762/DH_2011_2719_PART_A_DCHB_AURANGABAD.pdf |website=[[Census of India]] |publisher=[[Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India]]}}</ref> The district has a [[sex ratio]] of 917 [[Women in India|females]] for every 1000 males and a [[Literacy in India|literacy rate]] of 79.02%. 43.77% of the population live in urban areas. Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes make up 14.57% and 3.87% of the population respectively.<ref name="districtcensus" />

=== Religions ===
{{bar box
|title=Religions in Aurangabad district (2011)<ref name="religion"/>
|titlebar=#FCD116
|left1=Religion
|right1=Percent
|float=left
|bars=
{{bar percent|[[Hinduism in Maharashtra|Hinduism]]|darkorange|68.77}}
{{bar percent|[[Islam in Maharashtra|Islam]]|green|21.25}}
{{bar percent|[[Marathi Buddhists|Buddhism]]|yellow|8.35}}
{{bar percent|[[Jainism in Maharashtra|Jainism]]|pink|0.84}}
{{bar percent|[[Christianity in Maharashtra|Christianity]]|dodgerblue|0.43}}
{{bar percent|Other or not stated|black|0.36}}
}}

According to the 2011 census, [[Hinduism]] is the most followed religion in the district and is practised by 69.77% of the population. Other popular religions include [[Marathi Muslims|Islam]] (21.25%), [[Buddhism]] (8.35%) and [[Jainism]] (0.84%). In rural areas, Hindus are nearly 80% of the population while Muslims are nearly 15% of the population.<ref name="religion">{{Cite web|date=2011|title=Population by Religion - Maharashtra |url=https://censusindia.gov.in/nada/index.php/catalog/11382/download/14495/DDW27C-01%20MDDS.XLS |website=censusindia.gov.in|publisher=[[Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India]]}}</ref>

=== Languages ===
{{Pie chart
|thumb = right
|caption = Languages in Aurangabad district (2011)<ref name="Language"/>
|label1 = [[Marathi language|Marathi]] |value1 = 69.66 |color1 = red
|label2 = [[Urdu]] |value2 = 14.51 |color2 = green
|label3 = [[Hindi]] |value3 = 9.49 |color3 = orange
|label4 = [[Lambadi]] |value4 = 2.57 |color4 = khaki
|label5 = 'Other' Hindi |value5 = 1.06 |color5 = goldenrod
|label6 = Others |value6 = 2.71 |color6 = grey
}}
As of the [[2011 Census of India]], 69.66% of the population in the district speaks [[Marathi language|Marathi]], 14.51% [[Urdu]], 9.49% [[Hindi]] and 2.57% [[Lambadi]] as their first language. 1.06% of the population recorded their language as 'Others' under Hindi.<ref name="Language">{{cite web |title=Table C-16 Population by Mother Tongue: Maharashtra |url=https://censusindia.gov.in/nada/index.php/catalog/10212/download/13324/DDW-C16-STMT-MDDS-2700.XLSX |website=censusindia.gov.in|publisher=[[Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India]]}}</ref>

==Government and politics==
===Administrative divisions===
The district comprises nine [[tehsil]]s: [[Kannad]], [[Soyagaon]], [[Sillod]], [[Phulambri]], [[Aurangabad, Maharashtra|Aurangabad]], [[Khuldabad]], [[Vaijapur]], [[Gangapur, Maharashtra|Gangapur]], and [[Paithan]]. The new proposal for tehsil is lasur and pishor.
The big towns were divide from gangapur tehsil and kannad tehsil

Nine [[Maharashtra Vidhan Sabha]] constituencies are located in this district: [[Sillod Assembly constituency|Sillod]], [[Kannad Assembly constituency|Kannad]], [[Phulambri Assembly constituency|Phulambri]], [[Aurangabad Central Assembly constituency|Aurangabad Central]], [[Aurangabad West Assembly constituency|Aurangabad West]], [[Aurangabad East Assembly constituency|Aurangabad East]], [[Paithan Assembly constituency|Paithan]], [[Gangapur, Maharashtra Assembly constituency|Gangapur]], and [[Vaijapur Assembly constituency|Vaijapur]].

The Vidhan Sabha constituencies are grouped into two [[Lok Sabha]] constituencies: [[Aurangabad (Maharashtra Lok Sabha constituency)|Aurangabad]] and [[Jalna (Lok Sabha constituency)|Jalna]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://ceo.maharashtra.gov.in/acs.php |title=District wise List of Assembly and Parliamentary Constituencies |publisher=Chief Electoral Officer, Maharashtra website |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090225084439/http://ceo.maharashtra.gov.in/acs.php |archive-date=25 February 2009}}</ref>

====Villages====
<!---♦♦♦ Only add a location to this list if they already have their own article on the English Wikipedia ♦♦♦---> 
<!---♦♦♦ Please keep the list in alphabetical order ♦♦♦--->
*[[Deulgaon Bazar]]
*[[Koli Bodkha]]

===Officers===

====Members of Parliament====
*[[Sandipanrao Bhumre]], [[Shiv Sena (1966–2022)|Shiv Sena Shinde Group]]<br /> {{small|([[Aurangabad (Maharashtra Lok Sabha constituency)|Aurangabad]])}}
*[[Kalyan Kale]], [[Indian National Congress|INC]] <br /> {{small|([[Jalna (Lok Sabha constituency)|Jalna]])}}

====Guardian Minister====
{{Infobox Political post
| post = Guardian Minister Aurangabad
| insignia = Emblem_of_India.svg
| insigniasize = 50px
| insigniacaption = Emblem of India
| image = 
| incumbent = [[Abdul Sattar (Maharashtra politician)|Abdul Sattar]]<br>Additional Charge
| incumbentsince = 4 June 2024
| style = [[The Honourable]]
| imagesize = 
| termlength = 5 years / No time limit
| appointer = [[Chief Minister of Maharashtra]]
| residence = Aurangabad
| formation = 
| succession = 
| website = {{URL|http://aurangabad.gov.in/en/}}
}}

=====list of Guardian Minister =====
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Name
! Term of office
|-
|[[Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil]]
|7 November 2009– 	10 November 2010
|-
|[[Rajendra Darda]]
|11 November 2010– 	26 September 2014
|-
| [[Ramdas Kadam]]
| 5 December 2014 - 8 November 2019
|-
| [[Subhash Desai]]
|9 January 2020 - 29 June 2022
|-
|[[Sandipanrao Bhumre]]
|24 September 2022- 4 June 2024
|-
|[[Abdul Sattar (Maharashtra politician)|Abdul Sattar]]<br>''Additional charge''
|4 June 2024- Incumbent
|-
|}

===District Magistrate/Collector===
{{Infobox Political post
| post = District Magistrate / Collector Aurangabad
| insignia = Emblem_of_India.svg
| insigniasize = 50px
| insigniacaption = Emblem of India
| image = 
| incumbent = Deelip Swami (IAS)
| incumbentsince = 
| imagesize = 
| termlength = No time limit
| appointer = [[Government of Maharashtra]]
| residence = At Aurangabad District
| formation = 
| succession = 
| website = {{URL|http://aurangabad.gov.in/en/}}
}}

==Tourism==
{{See also|Tourism in Marathwada}}
There are many points of interest in Aurangabad District, including temples, villages, gardens, and sanctuaries.

===Indian rock-cut architecture===
{{Main|Indian rock-cut architecture}}
 
<gallery mode="packed" style="font-size:88%; line-height:130%; border-bottom:1px #aaa solid;" heights="180" caption="Ajanta Caves, Aurangabad Caves and Ellora Caves">
File:AJANTA CAVES - C.SHELARE (2).jpg|The [[Ajanta Caves]] are 30 [[rock cut architecture|rock-cut]] Buddhist cave monuments built during rule of the Vakatakas.
File: Cave 26, Ajanta.jpg|Buddhist "Chaitya Griha" (prayer hall) with a seated Buddha in Cave 26 of the Ajanta Caves.
File:1 Hinayana style Aurangabad Buddhist Cave with stupa.jpg|[[Chaitya]] with [[stupa]], Cave 4, [[Aurangabad Caves]].
File: Aurangabad Caves, another view.JPG|Various sculptures next to an entrance at Aurangabad Caves.
File: Kailasa temple overview, Ellora.jpg|Central pillar near [[Kailasa temple, Ellora|Kailasa temple]] at Ellora Caves.
File:Ellora Caves, India, The Vishvakarma Buddhist Cave.jpg|Statue of the [[Buddha]] seated. Part of the Carpenter's cave (Buddhist Cave 10).
File:Kailasha temple at ellora.JPG|[[Kailasa temple, Ellora]], Aurangabad
File:Ajanta Cave 26 Dagoba with praying monks.jpg|Buddhist monks praying in front of the Dagoba of Chaitya in Cave 26 of the Ajanta Caves.
</gallery>

===Caves===
* The [[Ajanta Caves]] are situated {{convert|107|km|0|abbr=on}} from Aurangabad city. They comprise 30 rock-cut caves around a gorge and were built by the [[Satavahana Dynasty|Satavahana]], [[Vakataka Dynasty|Vakataka]] and [[Chalukya Dynasty|Chalukya]] dynasties between the 2nd and 5th centuries CE.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.indian-heritage.org/painting/ajanta/ajanta2.html|title=Indian Heritage – Ajanta Cave paintings – Period of Excavation, Patronage, Re-discovery|access-date=29 October 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150228131023/http://www.indian-heritage.org/painting/ajanta/ajanta2.html|archive-date=28 February 2015|url-status=live}}</ref> They contain various works of ancient Indian art, including paintings which are among the rarest and finest surviving examples of their era.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://asi.nic.in/asi_monu_whs_ajanta.asp|title=Archaeological Survey of India|access-date=29 October 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151009054453/http://asi.nic.in/asi_monu_whs_ajanta.asp|archive-date=9 October 2015|url-status=live}}</ref> The Ajanta Caves are a [[UNESCO World Heritage Site]].
* The [[Ellora Caves]] are {{convert|29|km|0|abbr=on}} from Aurangabad city.  They consist of 34 caves built between the 5th and 10th centuries CE under the patronage of the [[Rashtrakuta Dynasty]]. They represent the epitome of Indian rock cut architecture.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://asi.nic.in/asi_monu_whs_ellora.asp|title=Ellora Caves, Maharashtra – Archaeological Survey of India|access-date=29 October 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151007002950/http://asi.nic.in/asi_monu_whs_ellora.asp|archive-date=7 October 2015|url-status=live}}</ref>  Like the Ajanta Caves, the Ellora Caves are also a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
* The [[Aurangabad Caves]] are {{convert|5|km|0|abbr=on}} from Aurangabad city.  Nestled amidst the hills are 12 Buddhist caves dating back to 3 A.D. Of particular interest are the [[Tantra|Tantric]] influences evident in the iconography and architectural design of the caves.

===Holy sites===
<gallery widths="200" heights="200">
Grishneshwar temple in Aurangabad district.jpg|View of [[Grishneshwar]] temple
Kachner.jpg|Idol of [[Parshvanatha]] at Kachner temple
</gallery>

* [[Grishneshwar|Grishneshwar Temple]] is one of the [[Jyotirlinga|12 Jyotirlinga]] shrines in India. It was built by [[Ahilyabai Holkar]] in the 18th century CE. The structure is a unique example of Bhoomija architecture with a Maratha style influence.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.maharashtratourism.gov.in/destination/Aurangabad |title=Aurangabad |access-date=9 August 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151225005334/http://www.maharashtratourism.gov.in/destination/aurangabad |archive-date=25 December 2015 |url-status=live  }}</ref>
* The 250 year old Kachner Jain Temple is dedicated to [[Parshvanatha]]. It contains an idol called Chintamani Parshvanath.
* [[Shuli bhanjan|Shuli Bhanjan]] is a hill near Aurangabad. It is believed that Saint Eknath Maharaj carried his Tapasya here.

====Hindu temples and shrines====
There are dozens of Hindu temples and shrines in the region.
{{div col}}
*Grishneshwar temple
*[[Kailasa Temple, Ellora|Kailash temple, Ellora caves, Verul]]
*Khadakeshwar temple.
*Vitthal Mandir, Pandharpur, A'bad.
*Renukamata mandir, Karnapura. Karnapura Temple.
*Sansthan Ganapati mandir.
*Siddhivinayak mandir.
*Pavan Ganesh mandir.
*Sai Tekadi (Hill).
*Hanuman Tekadi (Hill).
*Khandoba Mandir, Satara.
*[[Bhadra Maruti Temple, Khuldabad]].
*Sant Dnyaneshwar Mandir, Paithan.
*Eknath Maharaj Mandir, Paithan.
*Savata Maharaj Mandir, Vaijapur.
*Mahalakshmi Mandir, Vaijapur.
*Virbhadra Temple, Vaijapur.
*Sant Danshower Maharaj Sansthan.
*Mhasoba Maharaj Mandir, Sillod.
*Sindhi mandir, Sillod.
*Shree Chakradhar Swami Mandir, Gangapur.
*Panchavati Mahadev mandir, Gangapur.
*Ekmukhi Datt Mandir, Gangapur.
*Bhairavnath Mandir, Soegaon.
*Munjoba mandir, Soegaon.
*Mahamuni Agasti Maharaj Warkari Shikshan Sansthan, Soegaon.
*Ram mandir, Kannad.
*Bajarangbali mandir, Kannad.
*Jagrut Siddhivinayak temple, Kannad.{{div col end}}

===Gates and forts===
{{See also|Gates in Aurangabad}}
<gallery widths="200" heights="200">
Daulatabad fort21.jpeg|Front view of [[Daulatabad Fort]]
Bhadkal Gate.JPG|[[Bhadkal Gate]]
</gallery>

The city of Aurangabad is known for its 52 gates and has been called the "City of Gates".  These gates were built during Mughal era.<ref>{{cite news |last=Banerjee |first=Rajiv |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/features/consumer-life/history-revisited-at-Aurangabad-the-city-of-gates/articleshow/4390611.cms |title=History revisited at Aurangabad the 'city of gates' |newspaper=[[The Economic Times]] |date=12 April 2009 |access-date=27 February 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140324011557/http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/features/consumer-life/history-revisited-at-aurangabad-the-city-of-gates/articleshow/4390611.cms |archive-date=24 March 2014 |url-status=live}}</ref>

[[Daulatabad Fort]] (aka Devagiri Fort), located some {{convert|15|km|0|abbr=on}} north-west of Aurangabad, was built in the 12th century CE by the [[Yadava Dynasty]].  It was one of the most powerful forts during the medieval era. The fort was built on a {{convert|200|m|ft|adj=mid|-high}} conical hill and defended by moats, trenches, and three encircling walls with bastions. It also had two fixed massive canons which could be pivoted. The fort was never conquered by any military force.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://asi.nic.in/asi_monu_tktd_maha_daulatbadfort.asp|title=Daulatabad Fort – Ticketed Monument – Archaeological Survey of India|access-date=29 October 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150429084025/http://asi.nic.in/asi_monu_tktd_maha_daulatbadfort.asp|archive-date=29 April 2015|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Mughal architecture===
<gallery widths="200" heights="200">
BIBI KA MAQBARA (TOMB OF THE LADY) 2.jpg|[[Bibi Ka Maqbara]]
Tomb Aurangzeb.jpg|[[Tomb of Aurangzeb]]
</gallery>

* The [[Bibi Ka Maqbara]] is the burial mausoleum of Emperor [[Aurangzeb]]'s wife, [[Dilras Banu Begum]] (posthumously known as Rabia-ud-Daurani).  The site is {{convert|3|km|0|abbr=on}} from Aurangabad city. It is an imitation of the [[Taj Mahal]] at Agra and is popularly known as the "Taj of the Deccan".<ref>{{cite news |last=P. |first=Bhaskar |url=http://www.deccanherald.com/content/139148/taj-deccan.html |title=The Taj of Deccan |newspaper=[[Deccan Herald]] |access-date=27 February 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140303152608/http://www.deccanherald.com/content/139148/taj-deccan.html |archive-date=3 March 2014 |url-status=live  }}</ref>
* The [[Tomb of Aurangzeb]] is located in the village of Khuldabad, {{convert|24|km|0|abbr=on}} to the north-west of Aurangabad city, in the south-eastern corner of the complex of the [[dargah]] of [[Zainuddin Shirazi|Sheikh Zainuddin]].<ref name="Location">{{cite web|title=Tomb of Aurangzeb|url=http://www.asiAurangabad.in/pdf/Tourist/Tomb_of_Aurangzeb-_Khulatabad.pdf|publisher=Archaeological Survey of India, Aurangabad|access-date=29 October 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150923175254/http://www.asiaurangabad.in/pdf/Tourist/Tomb_of_Aurangzeb-_Khulatabad.pdf|archive-date=23 September 2015|url-status=live}}</ref>  Aurangzeb is considered to have been last great [[Mughal emperor]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.historyanswers.co.uk/kings-queens/indias-10-greatest-warrior-emperors-and-kings |title=India's 10 greatest warrior Emperors and Kings &amp;#124; All About History |access-date=19 July 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180720081346/https://www.historyanswers.co.uk/kings-queens/indias-10-greatest-warrior-emperors-and-kings/ |archive-date=20 July 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref>

===Other notable sites===
<gallery widths="200" heights="200">
Panchakki fountain, Aurangabad.jpg|[[Panchakki]] was designed to generate energy from water flowing down a mountain. It displays the scientific thought process that guided medieval Indian architecture.
Salim Ali Lake.jpg|[[Salim Ali Lake]]
Siddharth Garden and Zoo.jpg|Siddharth Garden near a bus stand in Aurangabad
</gallery>

*[[Panchakki]], which literally means "water mill", is a 17th-century water mill situated within the old city of Aurangabad.  It is known for its underground channel, which carries water from hills over 8&amp;nbsp;km away. The channel culminates in an artificial waterfall that powers the mill.
* [[Salim Ali Lake|Salim Ali Lake &amp; Bird Sanctuary]] is located in the northern part of the city near Delhi Darwaza, opposite [[Himayat Bagh]]. During the Mughal period, it was known as Khiziri Talab. It was renamed after the great [[ornithologist]] and naturalist [[Salim Ali (ornithologist)|Salim Ali]]. It features a bird sanctuary and a garden maintained by the Aurangabad Municipal Corporation.
* Siddharth Garden and Zoo is situated near the central bus station in Aurangabad city. It is the only zoo in the [[Marathwada]] region. It is home to several species of animals, birds, flowers, and trees. The name "Siddhartha" is a reference to [[Gautama Buddha]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://maharashtratimes.indiatimes.com/aurangabad-marathwada-news/aurangabad/promise-trees-wild-animals/articleshow/67066484.cms |title=वृक्ष, वन्यप्राण्यांचे सवंर्धन करा |access-date=12 January 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190112200548/https://maharashtratimes.indiatimes.com/aurangabad-marathwada-news/aurangabad/promise-trees-wild-animals/articleshow/67066484.cms |archive-date=12 January 2019 |url-status=live  }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://abpmajha.abplive.in/aurangabad/animal-museum-in-siddhartha-garden-of-aurangabad-will-be-closed-609661|title = औरंगाबादच्या सिद्धार्थ उद्यानातील प्राणी संग्रहालय बंद होणार !|date = December 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.Aurangabaddirectory.com/siddharth-garden-zoo.html|title=Siddharth Garden Zoo|access-date=29 October 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160106234432/http://www.aurangabaddirectory.com/siddharth-garden-zoo.html|archive-date=6 January 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref>
* The [[Gautala Autramghat Sanctuary|Gautala Autramghat Wildlife Sanctuary]] is a protected area of Maharashtra state, India. It lies in the Satmala and Ajantha hill ranges of the Western Ghats, and administratively is in kannad taluka of Aurangabad District. The wildlife sanctuary was established in 1986 in an existing reserved forest area

==Transportation==

===Road===
* Mumbai – Aurangabad
* Hyderabad – Aurangabad
* Nagpur – Aurangabad
* Dhule – Aurangabad
* Pune – Aurangabad (approximately 4.5 hours journey time)
* Solapur – Aurangabad

===Rail===
The [[Manmad]]-[[Kachiguda Railway Station]] Broad gauge railway line emanates from the [[Mumbai]]-[[Bhusawal]]-[[Howrah]] trunk route at [[Manmad]] and is an important traffic artery in Aurangabad District.  Routes include:
* Mumbai – Aurangabad
* Hyderabad – Nanded – Aurangabad
* Secunderabad – Bangalore – Parbhani – Aurangabad
* Delhi – Aurangabad – Delhi
* Nagpur – Aurangabad – Nagpur
* Mumbai-Aurangabad – Mumbai – Janshatabdi Express (daily service)
* Nandigram Express – via – Aurangabad to Mumbai (daily service)
* Devgiri Express – via – Aurangabad to Mumbai (daily service)
* Tapovan Express (AWB to NED)(Nanded) or (AWB to CSTM )(Mumbai)(daily service)
* Marathwada Express- (AWB to DAB)(Darmabad) or AWB To MMR(Manmad Jn) (daily service) 
* Sachkhand Express-  (AWB to NED)(Nanded) or (AWB to ASR) Amritsar JN (daily service)

[[Aurangabad Airport]] has flights to Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad-Tirupati, Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Udaipur, and Jaipur.{{citation needed|date=May 2020}}

== See also ==
* [[Tourism in Marathwada]]
* [[Aurangabad Industrial City]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons category}}
* {{cite web|url=https://aurangabad.gov.in/|title=District Aurangabad – Government of Maharashtra|website=Aurangabad.gov.in|access-date=12 March 2019}}

{{Geographic location
|Centre    = Aurangabad district
|North     = [[Jalgaon district]]
|Northeast = [[Buldana district]]
|East      = [[Jalna district]]
|Southeast = [[Beed district]]
|South     = 
|Southwest = [[Ahmadnagar district]]
|West      = [[Nashik district]]
|Northwest = 
}}
{{Marathwada}}
{{Aurangabad district, Maharashtra topics}}
{{Maharashtra}}
{{Godavari basin}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Aurangabad District, Maharashtra}}
[[Category:Aurangabad district, Maharashtra| ]]
[[Category:Districts of Maharashtra]]
[[Category:Aurangabad division]]
[[Category:Marathwada]]