Tourism in Marathwada

Encyclopedia

Tourism in Marathwada refers to tourism in Marathwada region of Maharashtra state of India. Aurangabad city is a regional headquarter of Marathwada and tourism capital of Maharashtra state. Out of 4 UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Maharashtra, 2 of them are in Marathwada. Also there are 110 monuments in Marathwada which are protected by Government of Maharashtra and recognized by Archaeological Survey of India. Marathwada is also important region for Religious tourism, out of 12 Jyotirlingas of Hindu God Shiva, 3 are in Marathwada. Hazur Sahib Nanded is the second holiest place in Sikhism after Harminder Sahib (Golden Temple) of Amritsir. There are also sufi shrines in Marathwada, most famous among them is Turabul Haq Dargah at Parbhani where thousands of people of all religion visits dargah annually. Pathri in Parbhani district is birthplace of Sai Baba of Shirdi and Sai Baba Birth Temple in Pathri is one of major religious tourism place in Marathwada.

Caves

Pitalkhora Caves: This colorful Buddhist caves are 17 Km away Kannad Town. It is carved in 1 century and is first cave in Asia.

  • Rohilagad Caves: Rohilagad Caves are very beautiful for visit.in Rohilagad 3 Caves available for see. Rohilagad is only 44 km from aurangabad.and 45 km from Jalna, dates back Satvahan yug, many art were added to Rohilagad samrajya.the sculptures of Rohilagad, considered masterpieces of Hindu religious art.
  • Ajanta Caves: Ajanta Caves are UNESCO World Heritage Site, dates back to 2nd and 1st centuries B.C. During the Gupta period (5th and 6th centuries A.D.), many more richly decorated caves were added to the original group. The paintings and sculptures of Ajanta, considered masterpieces of Buddhist religious art.
  • Ellora Caves: Ellora Caves are UNESCO World Heritage Site, dates back to 600 AD to 1000 AD, its sanctuaries are devoted to Buddhism, Hinduism and Jainism. UNESCO described it as “it illustrates the spirit of tolerance that was characteristic of ancient India”.
  • Aurangabad Caves: 3rd century 12 Buddhist Caves in campus of Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Marathwada University , Aurangabad.
  • Ghatotkacha Cave: In Aurangabad.
  • Jogeshwari Caves: In Aurangabad.
  • Rudreshwar Caves: In Aurangabad district.
  • Kharosa Caves: In Latur district
  • Shivleni Caves: In Ambajogai, Beed district
  • Bhokardan Caves: In Bhokardan, Jalna district.
  • Pandava Caves: In Nanded district.
  • Brahmani Caves: In Nanded district.
  • Dharashiv Caves: Dharashiv caves are the nexus of 7 caves located 8 km away from Osmanabad city in Balaghat mountains. The caves were taken note by Archaeological Department of India and mentioned in the book Archaeological survey of India by James Burges. Dharashiv Caves have been declared as Protected area by Government of Maharashtra.

  • Ajanta Caves view from nearby hill.

  • Entrance of Cave 19 of Ajanta.

  • The Buddha in a preaching pose flanked by bodhisattvas, Cave 4, Ajanta

  • Cave 10 of Ellora Caves

  • Indra Sabha, Ellora Caves

  • Cave 21 of Ellora

  • A Jain cave in Ellora.

  • Aurangabad Caves

  • Art in Aurangabad Caves.

  • Shivleni Caves in Ambajogai, Beed district.

Religious tourism

Hindu temples

Jyotirlingas are known as “Sign of God Shiva”. These are mentioned in Shiva Purana. It is believed that Shiva first manifested himself as a Jyotirlinga on the night of the Aridra Nakshatra, thus the special reverence for the Jyotirlinga. There is nothing to distinguish the appearance, but it is believed that a person can see these lingas as columns of fire piercing through the earth after he reaches a higher level of spiritual attainment. Though contested with other claimants elsewhere for each of these, there are the following Jyotirlingas in Marathwada.

  • Grishneshwar Temple: In Aurangabad district.
  • Aundha Nagnath Temple: In Hingoli district.
  • Shri Vaijnath Temple, Parli: In Beed district.

other two Jyothirlings, Bhimashankar and Trimbakeshwar Shiva Temple are in Maharashtra state, close to Marathwada.

Other major temples

  • Tulja Bhavani Temple: Located in Tuljapur, Osmanabad district, it is considered as one of 51 Shakti Peethas and one among the Saadeteen (3.5) Shakti Peethas of Maharashtra. Shakti Pitha is a place to worship various forms of goddess Shakti.
  • Renuka Devi temple : Located in Mahur, Nanded district, it is also one of the 51 Shakti Peethas and one among the Saadeteen (3.5) Shakti Peethas of Maharashtra.
  • Ambajogai/Yogeshwari Temple: In Ambajogai.
  • Kailasa temple, Ellora: In Aurangabad district is one of the largest rock-cut ancient Hindu temples. It was built by the 8th century by the Rashtrakuta king Krishna I.
  • Ganesha temple, Rajur Ganapati: In Jalna district, It is a one of complete peethas of lord Ganesha situated on hill in Rajur.

on Angaraki Chaturthi most of devotees visit the temple.

  • Sai Baba Birth Temple, Pathri: It is a birthplace of Indian spiritual master Sai Baba of Shirdi.

  • Ambajogai Temple in Ambajogai.

  • Grishneshwar temple.

  • Aundha Nagnath Temple.

  • Parli Vaijnath Temple.

  • Tulja Bhavani Temple.