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Ajanta-Ellora :
The Ajanta caves are 108 kms north-east of Aurangabad .The caves are carved in the rock face which is in the face which is in the form of a horse-shoe through which flows the stream Waghora.Situated in this beautiful surroundings are 30 Buddhist caves some unfinished comprising of either viharas (monastic halls) or chaityas(chapels)containing important examples of Buddhist architecture.Despite its age ,most of the frescoes and sculptures are remarkably well preserved .Natural light illuminates the caves at certain times of the daywhich leave you awestruck by the sheer brilliance of its architectural splendour.The Ajanta caves is placed in the World Heritage List of Monuments & a true "Wonder of the World".The Ellora caves are 29 kms Noth-West of Aurangabad.This rock-cut caves were constructed between sixth to the tenth century A.D & are included in the World Heritage.There are about 34 caves-12 Buddhist,17 Hindu,5 of Jain faith.
Timings : The caves are open from 6.00 a.m to 5.30 p.m.
Transport Facilities : State Transport buses offer an Ellora & Ajanta tour daily .
Other Nearby places :
 Bibi-Ka-Maqbara : Built in 1678 by Aurangzeb's son,Prince Azam Shahas atribute to his mother ,Begum Rabia Durani.The mausoleumis a replica of the Taj Mahal at Agra & is the most beautiful structure in Aurangabad.
Daulatabad Fort
 Lonar : The place has crater which ranks amongst the world's largest five.

Getting There :
By Air Aurangabad is connected to Mumbai, Delhi, Jaipur & Udaipur by Indian Airlines.
By Train : Aurangabad is on the South Central Railway & is connected to Mumbai by daily trains Devgiri & Tapovan Express.
By Road :Private buses operate daily from Mumbai,Pune to Aurangabad.
Accommodation : The Ajanta Ambassador Jalna Road,CIDCO,Aurangabad Pin 431003 Tel No :(0240)485211,485212.Hotel Aurangabad Ashok Dr.Rajendra Prasad Marg,Aurangabad Pin : 431001 (0240)3324392,331426.Khemi's Inn 11,Town Centre ,Jalna Road ,CIDCO Aurangabad Pin :431003 Tel (0240)484868.The Meadows Gate #135/136,Village Mitmita,Padegaon,Aurangabad-Mumbai Highway,Aurangabad Pin : 431002 Tel No :(0240)677412,677413.Hotel President Park R-7/2,Chikalthana ,Airport Road,Aurangabad Pin 431210 Tel No :(0240)486201.Taj Residency 8,N-12,CIDCO,Aurangabad Pin : 431003 Tel No :(0240)33501,32221.Welcomgroup Rama International R-3,Chikalthana,Aurangabad Pin :431210 Tel No : (0240)485441,485442.Hotel Windsor Castle Town Centre,Jalgaon Road,CIDCO,Aurangabad Pin : 431003 Tel No :(0240)484818,484177.

Karla ,Bhaja & Bedsa Caves :
Karla Caves about 10 kms from Lonavla is the site of the largest Chaitya cave in India dating back to 80 B.C.Carved inside are a number of inscriptional records in Brahmi characters giving the names of donors who contributed for the excavation of this cave.At the entrance of the caves is a pillar with three lions on it & on the other side the temple of Goddess Ekveera.
Bhaja Caves : Nearby are the Bhaja caves which are as old as the Karla caves .Sculptures & ornamental designs in the caves are worth seeing.
Bedsa Caves : The first century A.D cave has beautiful carvings & story telling inscriptions.
Getting there :
By Air :Nearest airport is Pune.
By Train Nearest station is Malavli ,2 kms on Central railway but Lonavla is a convinient station ,10 kms.
By Road : Mumbai -Karla ,114 kms S.T buses ply from Mumbai ,Pune,Lonavla to Karla.
Acommodation : Lonavla & MTDC camp are convienient bases for visiting the caves.

Pune :
Pune is a truly historical place ,the city has seen many ups & downs ,the peak period of Peshwas,the start of Ganesh Chathurthi by Bal Gangadhar Tilak to the imprisonment of Gandhiji & finally the Independence of India ,the city has some great monuments built in & around it.

Shaniwarwada : 'Shanivarwada', the residence and ruling place for the Peshwas one of the truly great monuments was constructed by Peshwa Bajirao 1.

Shinde's Chhatri : Just about a couple of kms from the Pune racecourse, is situated this beautiful architectural creation. This monument was built in the memory of the great Maratha nobleman Mahadji Shinde. Indeed an imposing edifice displaying serenity and austerity coupled with architectural beauty.
Entry Fee : Only 50 paise.

Mastani Mahal : Legends about Mastani and her presumed stay at Shaniwar Wada apart, it is most certain that Bajirao I did build for her a palace at Kothrud. Laying waste in the wilderness, the Mahal was recreated by Pune’s ‘Kaka’ Dinkar Kelkar. An avid art collector, ‘Kaka’ transplanted the fine wooden pillars and wall paintings to his museum at Pune. The living room of the Wada as assembled in the same style from the original woodwork here reveals the intricate architecture and woodcarving as well as wall paintings. The superb furnishings evoke the atmosphere of the home of Mastani,whose portrait on glass is also present in the museum

Pataleshwara temple : Just across the river on Jangli Maharaj Road is the wonderful rock-cut Pataleshwara Temple, a small 8th century temple similar in style to the much grander rock temple at Elephanta but never completed. More importantly, it's an active temple. In front of the excavation is a is a circular Nandi mandapam. Adjacent is the Jangli Maharaj temple, dedicated to a Hindu ascetic who died here in 1818.

Raste Wada :Situated at the far end of the towns Raste Wada, one of the largest remaining wadas now stands surrounded by a jungle of multi storeyed buildings. However, the massive core of the Wada built Anandrao Bhikaji Raste during the reign of Madhavrao Peshwa, remains. The Wada costed Rs.9 lakh to build and had stable to house Raste’s cavalry  retinue, the family being the hereditary heads of the Peshwa’s cavalry. Now, these eloisters have been either ravaged by time or late out to tenants. The Diwankhana, once a separate building, houses a municipal school. Sealed-up fountains, and covered chandeliers stands as steeled voices from the past.

 Lal Mahal : In its present renovated avatar, a creation of the Pune Municipal Corporation in 1983, the Lal Mahal resembles more a sandstone- red palace, than a traditional Wada. Historians assume it to have been built by Dadaji Konddev in 1640, two years after he had possession of the city from the Adilshahi Sultans.Konddev brought Shivaji up here, and hence the modern structure built accords pride of place to a marble bust of Jijabai. It was also in this structure that the Mughal general Shaista Khan sent by his king and nephew Aurangazeb to end Shivaji's political power lost three fingers while trying to escape through the window on being taken by surprise by a small band of Maratha soldiers in the dark of the night.

Kesari Wada : Tell tale signs of modern civilization stare one in the face. Cement dampers stand outside the courtyard where once Sayajirao Gaikwad, the prince of Baroda state used to live. The Wada built by the Gaikwads is being pulled down to make way for a modern structure. This was the Wada where nightlong discussions were held on how to overthrow colonial rule. Bal Gangadhar Tilak bought the Wada from Sayajirao Gaikwad in 1905. Tilak brought out his two newspapers, the Kesari, in Marathi and Maratha in English from here. The Wada continues to house the offices of Kesari, and mementos of Tilak, including his writing desk original letters and documents, and the first India national flag unfurled by Madame Cama. A statue of Tilak indicates the building in which he resided. The Wada is visited by a large number of people during the Ganapati festival, the public celebrations of which we started by Tilak in the courtyard of this Wada over a century ago.

Vishram Baug: A three-storied mansion remarkable for its beautiful entrance and the balcony with carved woodwork typical of the Peshwa period. Noted historian Babasaheb Purandare has undertaken the task of transforming the inner courts and the hall into their original grandeur adding immensely to the beauty of the place. A one storeyed Wada, Vishrambaug curiously was once a garden, and is said to have derived its name from its gardener called Vishram. The 260ft. Long and 815ft. broad Teen - Chowki Wada wad built by the last Peshwa Bajirao II as his residence.

Apart from these historic places there are many forts and monuments in Maharashtra which echo the history of the state.

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