Rahul Sharma (Editor)

Tourism in Marathwada

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Largest city
  
Aurangabad

Population(2011)
  
1,87,31,872

Divisions
  
Aurangabad division

Tourism in Marathwada

Districts
  
1. Aurangabad, 2. Nanded, 3. Latur, 4. Parbhani, 5. Jalna, 6. Beed, 7. Hingoli, 8. Osmanabad

Area
  
64,590 km (24,940 sq mi)

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.

Contents

Caves

  • 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.
  • Ghatotkach Caves: In Aurangabad.
  • Jogeshwari Caves: In Aurangabad.
  • Rudreshwar Caves: In Aurangabad district.
  • Kharosa Caves: In Latur district
  • Shivleni Caves: In Ambajogai, Beed district
  • Bhokardan Caves: Caves in Bhokardan tehsil of 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.

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

    • Sikh Gurudwaras

    Marathwada has been the 2nd 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.

    Following are the major Gurdwaras in Marathwada:

  • Hazur Sahib Nanded: It is most sacred takht among Panj Takht of Sikhism. It is known for annual event in November Guru Gaddi which marks establishment of Guru Granth Sahib as permanent Guru by 10th Guru Guru Gobind Singh. In 2008 on 300th anniversary of establishment of Guru Granth Sahib thousands of followers visited Gurdwara.
  • 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.

    Monuments and Forts

    There are 110 state protected monuments in Marathwada out of total 244 state protected monuments in Maharashtra state.

    Following are some of monuments.

    References

    Tourism in Marathwada Wikipedia
    (Text) CC BY-SA


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