PLACES: MUMBAI | AURANGABAD | ELLORA| AJANTA | AURANGABAD Discover the allure of ‘Majestic Maharashtra Journez,’ a captivating exploration through Mumbai and Aurangabad. Dive into the vibrant energy of Mumbai and explore the historical wonders of Aurangabad, including the awe-inspiring Ellora and Ajanta caves. This journey promises a delightful fusion of vibrant city life and ancient marvels, creating cherished memories along the way. Upon arrival at Mumbai Airport you will be met and greeted by our representative and accompanied to your hotel. The commercial capital of India and home to India’s booming film industry, Mumbai pulsates with life as the sea of humanity that it is home to go about their daily chores. It is a city that never sleeps, where rags to riches stories are commonplace, where skyscrapers stand alongside shanties and which could rightly be called the melting pot of cultures within India. This vibrant, bustling seaside city is home to some of India’s most identifiable landmarks: the iconic Gateway of India and the Marine Drive known as the ‘Queen’s Necklace’Day free at the hotel to relax. Overnight at Hotel/ Resort. Breakfast at hotel. Morning for Elephanta Cave visit. Board a motor launch from the nearby jetty for a one-hour (approx) excursion ride to Elephanta Island, located some four miles from the city. Arrive the island, disembark the motor launch and walk couple of steps towards a toy train which ferry’s you to the base of the caves. Climb 120 steps to reach the caves & visit the caves. Originally called Gharapuri (‘Fortress City’), deriving its name from a stone elephant discovered by the Portuguese near the landing place and renamed ‘Elephanta’. The celebrated Hindu cave temple on the island is excavated from a cliff, high above the water. Carved during the Golden age of the Guptas, the temples have been inspired by the worship of Shiva. Within the main rock-cut temple, probably dating from between 450 to 750 A.D. are found large sculptured panels, the most interesting of which is the three headed Shiva (Maheshmurthy or Trimurthy) which stands at 5 metres high (18 feet) and is a three-headed bust hewn from a single rock which represents the three aspects of Shiva viz; The Creator, The Preserver and The Destroyer. Other Shiva panels include one of the Gods dancing the ‘Tandava’ and thereby causing the world to shake. Return back to the base board the toy train to reach the jetty. Re board the motor launch for journey back to the Gateway of India. NB: Toy train subject to availability. 15 minutes walk from jetty to the caves vice versa. Return for lunch. Afternoon, proceed for a Mumbai sightseeing. Drive past the Secretariat of Maharashtra Government and along the Marine Drive which is fondly known as the ‘Queen’s Necklace’. Visit Jain temple and Hanging Gardens, which offers a splendid view of the city, Chowpatty, Kamala Nehru Park and also visit Mani Bhavan, where Mahatma Gandhi stayed during his visits to Mumbai. Drive past Haji Ali Mosque, a shrine in honour of a Muslim Saint on an island 500 m. out at sea and is linked by a causeway to the mainland. Later Stop at the ‘Dhobi Ghat’ where Mumbai’s ‘dirties’ are scrubbed, bashed, dyed and hung out to dry. It’s a fascinating spectacle, looking down on row upon row of open-air concrete wash pens, each fitted with its own flogging stone, while Bombay’s dhobis relentlessly pound the dirt from the city’s garments in a timeless tradition. Overnight at Hotel/ Resort. On time transfer to Mumbai airport to board flight to Aurangabad. Upon arrival at Aurangabad airport, you will be met and transferred to your hotel. After check-in and some rest, visit the Bibi Ka Maqbara, a mausoleum built by Aurangzeb’s son in memory of his mother. It is also known as the Taj of the Deccan for its resemblance to the Taj Mahal in Agra1. Next, visit the Aurangabad Caves, a group of 12 Buddhist rock-cut caves dating back to the 6th and 7th centuries. Enjoy the panoramic view of the city from the hilltop and admire the sculptures and paintings in the caves. In the evening, explore the city of gates and see some of the 12 historical gates that once guarded the city, such as Dilli Gate, Paithan Gate, and Roshan Gate. Return to your hotel for an overnight stay. After breakfast, drive to Ellora Caves, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that showcases the harmony of three religions: Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism. The caves are carved out of a basalt cliff and contain temples, monasteries, and shrines. The most impressive cave is the Kailasa Temple, a massive structure dedicated to Lord Shiva that is carved from a single rock. Spend some time exploring the different caves and marveling at the intricate carvings and paintings. On your way back to Aurangabad, stop at the Daulatabad Fort, a 14th-century fortress that was once the capital of India under Muhammad bin Tughluq. Climb up to the top of the fort and enjoy the view of the surrounding countryside. You can also visit the Chand Minar, a 30-meter-high tower that was built as a victory monument. Return to your hotel for an overnight stay. After breakfast, drive to Ajanta Caves, another UNESCO World Heritage Site that is famous for its ancient Buddhist paintings and sculptures. The caves are in a horseshoe-shaped valley and date back to the 2nd century BC to the 6th century AD. The paintings depict scenes from the life of Buddha and his previous incarnations, as well as stories from Jataka tales. The caves are also known for their use of natural light and colors. Spend some time admiring the art and architecture of the caves and learning about their history and significance. In the evening, drive back to Aurangabad and visit Panchakki, a water mill that was used to grind grain for the pilgrims and soldiers in the 17th century. The mill is powered by water that flows through underground pipes from a nearby reservoir. You can also see the tomb of Baba Shah Muzaffar, a Sufi saint who was Aurangzeb’s spiritual teacher3. Return to your hotel for overnight stay. After breakfast, check-out from your hotel and drive to Lonar Crater Lake, a unique geological wonder that was formed by a meteor impact about 50,000 years ago. The lake is about 1.8 kilometers in diameter and has a high alkaline content that gives it a greenish hue. The lake is surrounded by lush vegetation and wildlife, as well as several ancient temples that are mostly in ruins. You can take a walk around the lake or go for a boat ride to enjoy its beauty and tranquility. After spending some time at the lake, drive to Aurangabad airport or railway station for your onward journey.
Itinerary
