Tourism in Marathwada
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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.[1] Out of 4 UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Maharashtra, 2 of them are in Marathwada.[2][3][4] Also there are 110 monuments in Marathwada which are protected by Government of Maharashtra and recognized by Archaeological Survey of India.[5] Marathwada is also important region for Religious tourism, out of 12 Jyotirlingas of Hindu God Shiva, 3 are in Marathwada.[6] Hazur Sahib Nanded is the second holiest place in Sikhism after Harminder Sahib (Golden Temple) of Amritsir.[7] 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.[8][9][10][11][12] 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: These colorful Buddhist caves are 17 km (11 mi) from Kannad Town. They were carved in the first century and is the first cave in Asia.[citation needed]
- Rohilagad Caves: Rohilagad Caves are very beautiful to visit. In Rohilagad three caves are available to see. Rohilagad is only 44 km (27 mi) from Aurangabad and 45 km (28 mi) from Jalna, dates back Satvahan yug, and many art were added to Rohilagad samrajya. The sculptures of Rohilagad are considered masterpieces of Hindu religious art.
- Ajanta Caves: Ajanta Caves are UNESCO World Heritage Sites and date back to the second and first centuries B.C. During the Gupta period (fifth and sixth centuries A.D.), many more richly decorated caves were added to the original group. The paintings and sculptures of Ajanta are considered masterpieces of Buddhist religious art.[3]
- Ellora Caves: Ellora Caves are UNESCO World Heritage Sites, and date back to 600 AD to 1000 AD. It’s sanctuaries are devoted to Buddhism, Hinduism and Jainism. UNESCO said "it illustrates the spirit of tolerance that was characteristic of ancient India".[4]
- Aurangabad Caves: twelve third century Buddhist caves in campus of Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Marathwada University , Aurangabad.[13]
- Ghatotkacha Cave: In Aurangabad
- Jogeshwari Caves: In Aurangabad, Maharashtra
- 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 seven caves located 8 km away from Osmanabad city in Balaghat mountains.[14][15][16] The caves were taken note by Archaeological Department of India and mentioned in the book Archaeological survey of India by James Burges.[17] Dharashiv Caves have been declared as Protected area by Government of Maharashtra.[18]
Ajanta Caves view from nearby hill.
The Buddha in a preaching pose flanked by bodhisattvas, Cave 4, Ajanta
Cave 10 of Ellora Caves
A Jain cave in Ellora.
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[by whom?] 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 eighth century by the Rashtrakuta king Krishna I.
- Ganesha temple, Rajur Ganapati: In Jalna district, It is 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.
Grishneshwar temple.
Stone carved pillar at Kailasa temple, Ellora.
Sikh gurudwaras
Marathwada has been the second most visited region by Sikhs in India after Punjab. Central Gurudwara in Marathwada is Hazur Sahib Nanded. Nanded has been associated with the first and the last of the Sikh Gurus. While Guru Nanak Dev passed through it during his extensive travels which took him as far south as Sri Lanka, Guru Gobind Singh spent his last years in Nanded. Bhai Daya Singh who is among Panj Pyare of Sikhism, lived in Aurangabad and Gurdwara named Gurdwara Bhai Daya Singh is established in Aurangabad which is visited by large number of Sikhs.[19]
Following are the major Gurdwaras in Marathwada:
- Hazur Sahib Nanded: It is most sacred takht among Panj Takht of Sikhism.[20] It is known for annual event in November Guru Gaddi which marks establishment of Guru Granth Sahib as permanent Guru by tenth Guru Guru Gobind Singh. In 2008 on 300th anniversary of establishment of Guru Granth Sahib thousands of followers visited Gurdwara.[21][22]
- Gurdwara Bhai Daya Singh: Gurudwara related to Daya Singh is in Aurangabad.
- Gurdwara Nagina Ghat Sahib: Gurudwara is on river bank in Nanded.
- Gurdwara Baba Banda Bahadur Ghat: Iis in Nanded, it is the place where Banda Singh Bahadur lived.
- Gurdwara Hira Ghat Sahib: It is the place where Guru Gobind Singh first pitched his tent in Nanded on banks of Godavari river.
- Gurdwara Mata Sahib
- Gurdwara Shikar Ghat Sahib
- Gurdwara Mal Tekari Sahib
- Gurdwara Sangat Sahib
Islamic places
In history Marathwada was part of Mughal empire and Nizam of Hyderabad. Marathwada has its own Islamic heritage in the form of art and culture.
Following are some of important Sufism and Muslim leaders related places in Marathwada.
Panchakki, Dargah Baba Shah Mosafar 1880s.
Tomb of Zar Zari Zar Baksh, Khuldabad, 1890s.
Tomb of Sayyid Burhan-ud-din, Khuldabad
Tomb of Malik Ambar, Khuldabad
Shrine of Turabul Haq Dargah in Parbhani.
108-year-old annual Parbhani festival at Turabul Haq Dargah.
Monuments and forts
There are 110 state protected monuments in Marathwada out of total 244 state protected monuments in Maharashtra state.[23]
Following are some of the monuments.
Bird’s eye view of Bibi Ka Maqbara in Aurangabad.
Main entrance of Naldurg Fort in Osmanabad
Bhadkal Gate in Aurangabad
Mecca Gate in Aurangabad
Daulatabad (Deogiri) Fort
See also
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References
- ^ "Forbes India Magazine - The Value Hunters of Aurangabad". Forbesindia.com. Retrieved 24 July 2015.
- ^ "MAHARASHTRA TOURISM, The Official Website of Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation Ltd. - WorldHeritage". Maharashtratourism.gov.in. Retrieved 24 July 2015.
- ^ a b UNESCO World Heritage Centre. "Ajanta Caves - UNESCO World Heritage Centre". Whc.unesco.org. Retrieved 24 July 2015.
- ^ a b UNESCO World Heritage Centre. "Ellora Caves - UNESCO World Heritage Centre". Whc.unesco.org. Retrieved 24 July 2015.
- ^ "List of Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains of Arunachal Pradesh - Archaeological Survey of India". Asi.nic.in. Retrieved 24 July 2015.
- ^ "12 JyotirLinga Temples of Lord Shankar - Location, Significance, & Information about Jyotirling". Shaivam.org. Retrieved 24 July 2015.
- ^ "MAHARASHTRA TOURISM, The Official Website of Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation Ltd. - Sikh_Identity". Maharashtratourism.gov.in. Retrieved 24 July 2015.
- ^ "Parbhani, India". Encyclopædia Britannica. Retrieved 19 July 2015.
- ^ http://www.hoparoundindia.com/maharashtra/Parbhani-attractions-history-of/Hazarat-Turabul-Haq-Shah-Dargah.aspx
- ^ "सय्यद शाह तुराबुल हक साहेब (फोटो फिचर)". Sakal (in Marathi). Archived from the original on 24 September 2015. Retrieved 19 July 2015.
- ^ "Hazarat Turabul Haq Shah Dargah, Parbhani | Hazarat Turabul Haq Shah Dargah Photos | Parbhani Tourist Places". www.holidayiq.com. Archived from the original on 19 July 2013.
- ^ "उरुस". Ekmat. 31 January 2015. Retrieved 19 July 2015.
- ^ "Aurangabad Caves". ASI. Retrieved 24 July 2015.
- ^ "Dharashiv caves". osmanabad online. Retrieved 13 July 2015.
- ^ "Osmanabad". Incredible India. Archived from the original on 14 July 2015. Retrieved 13 July 2015.
- ^ "दयनीय अवस्थेत धाराशीव लेण्या!". Sakal (in Marathi). 24 July 2012. Retrieved 13 July 2015.
- ^ "Dharashiv Caves - Historical Background". Osmanabad. Retrieved 13 July 2015.
- ^ "ऐतिहासिक धाराशिव लेण्यांचे अस्तित्व धोक्यात" (in Marathi). Lokmat. 16 April 2014. Retrieved 13 July 2015.
- ^ "Gurdwaras in Marathwada". gurbaani. Retrieved 24 July 2015.
- ^ "Nanded set for tercentenary of Guru Granth Sahib". The Hindu. 27 October 2008. Retrieved 24 July 2015.
- ^ "Grand celebrations for Guru-da-Gaddi in Nanded". 26 October 2008.
- ^ "Nanded will become world famous due to Guru-da-Gaddi: Deshmukh".
- ^ "Protected Monuments". ASI. Retrieved 24 July 2015.
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- Marathwada
- Tourism in Maharashtra
- Tourist attractions in Aurangabad district, Maharashtra
- Tourist attractions in Nanded district
- Tourist attractions in Parbhani district
- Tourist attractions in Hingoli district
- Tourist attractions in Jalna district
- Tourist attractions in Osmanabad district
- Tourist attractions in Beed district
- Tourist attractions in Latur district