Since ancient times, Aurangabad has been of great importance due to its location on the famous "Silk Route" that traversed across Asia to Europe. Textiles and beads were exported to the markets of Greece, Rome and Egypt, along with Buddhist teachings and Indian art forms. Aurangabad's strategic position in the Deccan and topography so impressed Moghul Emperor Tughlaq that he moved his capital down from Delhi, renaming it Daulatabad, giving it the rare distinction of serving as the capital of India. Later it was the seat of Emperor Aurangzeb, as he fought to block the resurgent Maratha power.

Aurangabad's wealth of fascinating historical, cultural, religious and ecological sites include the World Heritage Ellora and Ajanta Caves, Daulatabad fort, Bibi Ka Maqbara, Lonar crater and Ghrishneshwar Jyotirlinga among many others.

The Meadows has an idyllic sylvan setting surrounded by farms and magnificent mountains. Yet it is just 6 kms from the city centre & railway station. The Meadows is the hotel closest to the important tourist sites of Ellora, Daulatabad, Ghrishneshwar and Bibi Ka Maqbara all are within 16 kms of the hotel, as is the airport. The hotel is also near the main industrial area of Waluj, and the shopping district.

Aurangabad is easily accessible from the major cities of India by air, rail or road. It is directly connected by 4 daily flights and trains from Mumbai. It is also well connected to Delhi, Pune, Nasik, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, Baroda and Surat.

Ajanta - 110km
Ajanta's wondrous cave temples are cut into the rocky sides of a dramatic crescent-shaped gorge, at the head of which is a waterfall that drops over the mountain rim in a series of seven steps to a pool far below - the Saptakund. Dating back to the 2nd century B.C, they cover a span of 800 years where under royal patronage of ruling dynasties, professional artists helped Buddhist monks to create magnificent murals narrating the story of Buddha in his cycle of incarnations. Etched and painted in vegetable and mineral dyes, the paintings have a langourous stylised beauty and magical eloquence. The Ajanta Caves are a World Heritage site.

Ellora Caves - 14km
The famous rock cut caves temples of Ellora depict the Hindu, Buddhist and Jain faiths, and were constructed between the 5th and 8th centuries A.D. Of particular interest is the architectural marvel of the monolithic Kailasa temple, carved out in the rocky cliffside from top to bottom. In December, MTDC organises the Ellora festival of music and dance at the Kailasa Temple. The Ellora Caves have been declared a World Heritage Site.

Bibi ka Maqbara - 5km
It is the tomb of Begum Rabia Durani, wife of Emperor Aurangzeb. Due to its similar design, it is popularly known as the mini Taj of the Deccan. (Guests at The Meadows can catch a glimpse of the beautiful monument from our gardens.)

Daulatabad Fort - 7km
Originally the mountainous Deogiri fortress, it was an old Hindu stronghold, finally captured and plundered by deceit in the 13th century. Made the capital of the Delhi Sultanate a 100 years later by Tughlaq, it was the prime fortress of many succesive dynasties in the Deccan. Daulatabad is famous for it's series of trick defences, secret escape routes, 5 km long wall and artificial scarping. Important monuments within the fort include the Jami Masjid - now the Bharat Mata Mandir, the Chand Minar, Elephant Tank and Chini Mahal or Chinese Palace.

Ghrishneshwar Temple - 17km
Worshippers of Shiva flock to the Ghrishneshwar Temple, of particular importance since it enshrines a jyotirlinga. This particular aspect of the god's luminous energy is manifested in only 12 temples. Ghrishneshwar was built in the 18th century of spotted red sandstone. Decorative friezes and friezes and sculpture depict a pantheon of Indian gods including Bhrama, Vishnu, Ganesh, the marriage of Shiva and Parvati, celestial beings, and even Maratha heroes.

Gurudwara Hazur Sahib - Nanded
Nanded (pronounced Nander), formerly in Hyderabad State is now a district town in Maharashtra. It is a railway station on the Manmad-Secunderabad section of South Central Railway. One of the five Sikh Takhts is located here and the Sikhs reverently refer to it as Hazur Sahib. Guru Gobind Singh spent the last few days of his earthly life here. Some of the sacred relics of Guru Gobind Singh are also preserved here. These are, a golden dagger, a matchlock gun, an archer with 35 arrows, two bows, a steel shield studded with precious stones and five golden swords. Takhat Sachkhand Sri Hazur Abchalnagar Sahib is the principal shrine at Nanded. It marks the site where the Guru had his camp in 1708 A.D. after the departure of the emperor Bahadur Shah. The tenth Guru held his court and congregation here. It is the site of his own tent where he was convalescing after he was attacked by assasins. It is the place from where the tenth Guru rose to heaven alongwith his horse Dilbag. Besides Gurdwara Sachkhand Sahib, other Gurdwaras at Nanded are Sangat Sahib, Shikar Ghat, Nagina Ghat and Hira Ghat. These too were built in memory of visit of Sri Guru Gobind Singh to this place.

Aurangabad Caves - 8km
Nestled amidst the hills are 12 Buddhist caves probably dating back to the 1 A.D. Of particular interest are the Tantric influences evident in the iconography and architectural designs of the caves.

Khuldabad - 14km
At the holy village of Khuldabad or Abode of Eternity is located the tomb of the last great Moghul Emperor Aurangzeb. His simple tomb remains an eloquent testament to the staunch faith and spartan lifestyle of this pious Muslim ruler. As per his instructions, the tomb was built only with the few rupees he had earned by stitching cloth caps.

Panchakki - 4km
An intriguing water mill, the Panchakki is famous for its underground water channel which traverses more than 8 kms to its source away in the mountains. The channel culminates in a mesmerising 'artificial' waterfall that powers the mill.

Shirdi

Shirdi is the home of the beautiful temple dedicated to Shri Sai Baba. Built over his Samadhi, it attracts millions of devotees each year, of all religions, castes and creeds. Sai Baba is revered as a saint. He is credited with having transformed the lives of many. Many believe he performed miracles, and continues to do so even after his death in 1918.

Lonar - 122km

Situated on the outskirts of Lonar town in Buldhana District, the crater is distinguished by being the world's third largest crater. It has its genesis nearly 50,000 years ago, when a 2 million-ton meteorite impacted the earth to create a depression 1.83 kilometers in diameter and 150 meters deep.

Since that cataclysmic event, Lonar has evolved into an idyllic expanse of sky blue water amidst a sprawling emerald forest. Mineral deposits (probably from the meteorite) make the lake water very salty while freshwater springs abound at the crater's edge. A unique ecosystem has evolved in the crater.

Today, it attracts tourists as well as members of the scientific community from across the world. This destination has much to offer wildlife enthusiasts as it is generously endowed in both flora and fauna. The crater is home to hundreds of peafowl, chinkara and gazelles, which browse amongst the shrubs and bushes ringing the lake. Other residents include egrets, moor hens, herons, coots, white-necked storks, lapwings, grey wagtails, grebes, black droungos, green bee-eaters, tailorbirds, magpies and robins as well as numerous species of migratory birds like flamingos that often visit the place.

Naturalist guides can be arranged for groups on advance notice.

Its added attractions include lake shore temples dedicated to demons, built between the 12th and 13th centuries.

Lonar impresses with the richness of its natural heritage. And, like the meteorite that put it on the map, leaves a lasting impression.

Paithan - 56km
The ancient city and pilgrim centre of Paithan is situated on the banks of the Godavari river. It was also on the famous "Silk Route" that traversed across the breadth of Asia to Europe. It has remined famous for the the woven Paithani silk sarees inlaid with real silver and gold thread. Visit the weavers workshops for demonstrations and custom orders. In the old city remain one of the unique examples of the traditional 'wada' architecture of the Peshwas. Also worth visiting is the ancient Nag Ghat - riverbank steps - dating back to the Satavahana period. The gardens of the recent Jayakwadi dam are a good spot for birdwatching.

Shopping
Aurangabad is famous for its woven Himroo shawls, Mashru and Kimkhab weaves. The fabulous Paithani sarees tempt most women, as do the wide range of semi precious stones available in rough, polished and jewellery form. Agate in particular is available in a variety of forms and sizes. Bidri ware, and old coins dating back to the Mughal period are also available.

Pithalkora
At Pithalkora you can visit possibly the earliest Buddhist caves in this region from the Hinayana and Mahayana periods. Explore the Autramghat Wildlife Sanctuary for its variety of animals and over 230 species of birds. Also visit the 15th century fort of Antur.

Shani Shingnapur
The village is named after the local temple of Shani or planet Saturn, the only such temple in the country. Adding to its distinction is that it is a temple without priests and all rituals are conducted by devotees themselves. Most unique is that under the protection of Saturn, nothing is locked in the entire village - including the bank and prison. Villagers believe that a thief is struck dead if he tries to cross the village borders. Remarkably, the village has no record of theft for over a 100 years.