Aurangabad, India - the home of UNESCO World Heritage Sites



Ellora Caves, Aurangabad, India

AURANGABAD, Maharastra, India - My first trip to India was in July 2009. It was my first assignment with my current company and I was very excited as I was intrigued by positive and negative comments about the country. I took Singapore Airlines to Mumbai but my final destination was in Aurangabad.

Wikipedia.org describes Aurangabad as a tourist hub, surrounded by many historical monuments, including the Ajanta Caves and Ellora Caves, which are UNESCO World Heritage sites, as well as Bibi Ka Maqbara.

The administrative headquarters of the Aurangabad Division or Marathwada region, Aurangabad is said to be a City of Gates and the strong presence of these can be felt as one drives through the city.

Recently, Aurangabad has been declared as Tourism Capital of Maharashtra. It is also one of the fastest growing cities in the world. Aurangabad is home of manufacturing plants for several multinational companies.  

So what can we do in Aurangabad? There are 3 important places to visit. 

1. Ellora Caves. The first stop was Ellora Caves. The moment we arrived in Ellora Caves, I was really amazed because I like to visit historal and greate structures and Ellora Caves were great examples.  We took a lot of pictures and I was very happy to see these nice historical architectures. We felt privileged when a group of people approached us to have pictures. The locals were very happy to see foreigners and to take pictures with them.

Ellora Caves, Aurangabad, India

2. Bibi Ka Maqbara. Again, according to wikipedia.org, it was commissioned by the Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb in the late 17th century to build a mausoleum in the memory of his first wife, Dilras Banu Begum (also known as Rabia Durrani).

It bears a striking resemblance to the famous Taj Mahal, the mausoleum of her mother-in-law, Mumtaz Mahal. Aurangzeb was not much interested in architecture, though he had built the small, but elegant, Pearl Mosque at Delhi.

The Bibi Ka Maqbara was the largest structure that he had to his credit. The comparison to the Taj Mahal has resulted in a general ignorance of the monument. The mausoleum is also called the Dakkhani Taj (Taj of the Deccan). It is the most conspicuous landmark of Aurangabad and its historic city.


Bibi Ka Maqbara, Aurangabad, India

An inscription found on the main entrance door mentions that this mausoleum was designed and erected by Ata-ullah, an architect and Hanspat Rai, an engineer respectively. Ata-ullah was the son of Ustad Ahmad Lahauri, the principal designer of the Taj Mahal.

Even the mausoleum is considered to be smaller version of the Taj Mahal, I was already overwhelmed to see it. Anyway, during this time, I didn't see the Taj Mahal in Agra so I don't have the comparison of how it looks like. Again, locals came to us to take some photos and we were more than willing to grant their request.



Facade of Bibi Ka Maqbara, Aurangabad, India

The facade of Bibi Ka Maqbara was also fascinating. My eyes were filled and heart was satisfied to see these beautiful, historical structures.

3. Ajanta caves. Our second weekend was spent in Ajanta caves. To most visitors, Ajanta Caves are the better than Ellora caves (although both caves are UNESCO world heritage sites).

Wikipedia.org provides information about Ajanta Caves. According to the article, there are about 30 rock-cut Buddhist cave monuments which date from the 2nd century BCE to about 480 or 650 CE. The caves include paintings and sculptures described by the government Archaeological Survey of India as "the finest surviving examples of Indian art, particularly painting", which are masterpieces of Buddhist religious art, with figures of the Buddha and depictions of the Jataka tales.



Ajanta caves, Aurangabad

The caves were built in two phases starting around the 2nd century BCE, with the second group of caves built around 400–650 CE according to older accounts, or all in a brief period between 460 to 480 according to the recent proposals of Walter M. Spink. The site is a protected monument in the care of the Archaeological Survey of India, and since 1983, the Ajanta Caves have been a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

They are 100 kilometers(62.13 miles) from the Ellora Caves, which contain Hindu and Jain temples as well as Buddhist caves, the last dating from a period similar to Ajanta. The Ajanta Caves are cut into the side of a cliff that is on the south side of a U-shaped gorge on the small river Waghora (or Wagura), and although they are now along and above a modern pathway running across the cliff they were originally reached by individual stairs or ladders from the side of the river 35 to 110 feet below.



Paintings inside Ajanta caves, Aurangabad

The paintings inside the caves were really priceless. I cannot imagine how the ancient people did those paintings without modern tools like what we have right now. I truly appreciate and commend these people who made something that we can learn and enjoy in these modern times.

Thanks to all the people who made these historical and beautiful works of arts. I hope that they will be preserved and maintained so its not only us who can enjoy but the future generations as well.

 

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Sidetrip to Washington D.C., USA

 

United States Capitol Building
Washington DC, USA

WASHINGTON D.C., United States of America - After I complete my 2-year contract with Ernst & Young (www.ey.com) Caribbean in Trinidad and Tobago, I decided to go back to the Philippines.

I requested our administrative officer to book flight itinerary that I can stay in certain countries for few days. It was approved by the partner in our department because its cheaper than taking the London route which my other colleague took.

My first route was Port of Spain, Trinidad to Miami, Florida (gateway to the USA) to Washington DC where I stayed for 3 days and 2 nights. Then from Washington DC, I went to New York City and then to Narita, Japan and finally to Bangkok, Thailand where I stayed again for 3 days and 2 nights. It was quite a world tour and I love it because I was able to see these places.

After I arrived in Miami, Florida, I needed to collect my 3 big luggages and then checked-in to go to Washington DC. Aside from bringing in the 3 bags, I also have 1 backpack and a computer bag. The airport security stopped me and asked me certain questions. One of the questions I remember was where am I working and when I told him that I am working in Ernst & Young (www.ey.com), he let me go. Miami airport was huge that I walked quite a distance from the luggage collection area to check-in to immigration and to the gate.



The White House, Washington DC, USA

My US visa was I think 5 days before the expiry date when I came to the US. But the immigration officer still stamped 90 days on my passport. I then board the American Airline (www.aa.com) to Washington DC. It was late in the afternoon and raining when I arrived in Washington DC. I took the yellow cab going to my hostel. The driver was quite old but was very helpful. He dropped me to the hostel, then I had my dinner at Subway and sleep.

On my first official day, I walked around my hostel and found out that significant landmarks in the city were just meters away. The weather in October was very nice as it was the beginning of winter time. Thanks to the feedbacks provided by the visitors who stayed in the hostel. I was so happy and excited because, finally, I was able to see the capital city of the most influential country and the biggest economy in the world.



Washington Monument
Washington DC, USA

I saw the United States Capitol Building, the White House, Washington Monument and Lincoln Memorial where I only see in movies, television, internet or prints.  Wikipedia describes Washington Monument to be made of marble, granite, and bluestone gneiss and considered as both the world's tallest stone structure and the world's tallest obelisk, standing 555 feet 5+¹⁄₈ inches (169.294 m). I also visited the War Memorial and was surprised that there were prints of the Philippines and certain areas like Bataan, Manila and Luzon.

On the second day, I went to several museum including the Smithsonian which reminds me of the movie Night at the Museum. It was very enjoyable visit. After visiting the museum, I took a train to Maryland where my 2 former colleagues live and work. They meet me up at the station and we went out for dinner. After the dinner, they drove me back to my hostel in DC.

I left the hostel on the third day at 7:00 am because my flight to New York was 10:00 am. While waiting for my flight, I was updating my Friendster and Facebook and didn't notice that the flight was already boarding. I just noticed it when they announced for last call. I arrived at New York JFK Airport and landed at Terminal 1. However, my next flight was at Terminal 12 and I only have 1 hour and 20 minutes to spare. I quickly ran and took the airport train. It was quite an adventure.

Keep on following my travel blogs. Also, for all your travel needs (airfare, hotel, cruise package, holiday packages, car rental and more), please visit wow amazing holiday website.

Sidetrip to London, England - New Year's Eve of 2007

 

The Big Ben, London, England

LONDON, England - On my way back to Trinidad & Tobago from a month vacation in the Philippines in December 2007, I stopped over in London for 3 days and 2 nights. But before coming to London, I also stayed in Singapore for 2 days and met my college friends.

I was excited to go to London because aside from going to New York and Washington D.C., London was my other dream city to visit. We passed by London on our first trip to Trinidad but we did not have a chance to go out of the airport.

I left my luggage at the Heathrow International airport (www.heathrowairport.com) and just brought the things that I'm going to use. I then took the train from Heathrow airport to central London then move to another subway line to go to Swiss Cottage station where my hostel - Palmers Lodge (www.palmerslodges.com)  is located. At first, I was confused on how to buy the subway ticket because its quite complex until a British guy noticed my confusion and assisted me. He was actually the husband of a Filipina and he said they are also going on the same direction with me. They got off the train earlier than me. I then continued and reached my hostel and checked-in. We were 16 in the room, majority are Europeans but I also noticed some Asians aside from me.



Victoria Memorial in front of Buckingham Palace
London, United Kingdom

On the second day (December 31), I went to the city to take bus tour. I cannot remember the exact amount I paid but I think it was around GBP 20 (USD 40 on that time). It was quite expensive for me but who cares. This was the only chance I had during that time so I still took the city tour. This was also the first time I experienced that my credit card was charged at the bus station without any wire connection. I went to Trafalgar Square, Buckingham Palace, London Bridge, the London Eye, Westminster Abbey, The Big Ben and others which I only see in movies and pictures.

I met several Filipinos while taking pictures at the Buckingham Palace. One of them said that she works in Cyprus as domestic helper but her boss brought her to London with them for vacation. I also met several more group of Filipinos at the Picadilly subway station where I took pictures with them. It was nice meeting my countrymen (kababayan), especially in big cities like London, and they seemed very nice to me that we were group-hugging in the pictures even we just met there. I was wondering what to do on New Year's eve but I've learned, while taking the subway back to my hostel, that the subway will be free of charge on that night. 



Westminster Palace, London, England

I took the subway and went to London Eye to watch the New Year's count down. It was drizzling on that night. I was surprised after the count down that people started kissing each other. Since I don't have any partner to kiss, I just watch them while hugging and kissing. It was a very good experience.

On the third day, I woke up early in the morning to catch my 9:00 am flight. I checked-out at the hotel at 5:00 am and took the subway to the airport. It was an amazing experience for me.

Keep on following my travel blogs. Also, for all your travel needs (airfare, hotel, cruise package, holiday packages, car rental and more), please visit wow amazing holiday website.