Aurangabad
Aurangabad -- A large industrial city in the Western Indian State of Maharashtra, serves as the Gateway to the World Heritage sites of Ajanta and Ellora. Also, the city in itself has a very rich heritage, since for a part of Aurangzeb's rule, Aurangabad had become the seat of the Mughal dynasty. The Mughal dynasty contributed to such architectural wonders as the Bibi-ka-Makbara, and the Daulatabad Fort.
The most popular attractions around Aurangabad are the Ajanta Caves - about 107 kms away, the rock cut caves of Ajanta nestle in a panoramic gorge, in the form of a gigantic horseshoe. Among the finest examples of some of the earliest Buddhist architecture, cave paintings and sculptures, these caves comprise Chaitya Halls, or shrines dedicated to Lord Buddha and Viharas or monasteries used by Buddhist monks for meditation and the study of Buddhist teachings. The paintings that adorn the walls and ceilings of the caves depict incidents from the life of Buddha and various Buddhist divinities. Ajanta has been designated as a World Heritage Site, to be preserved as an artistic legacy that will come to inspire and enrich the lives of generations to come.
The next most popular attraction around Aurangabad are the Ellora Caves - the cave temples and monasteries at Ellora, excavated out of the vertical face of an escarpment are 26 kms north of Aurangabad. Extending in a linear arrangement, the 34 caves contain Buddhist Chaityas, or halls of worship, and Viharas, or monasteries, Hindu and Jain temples. Spanning a period of about 600 years between the 5th and the 11th century A.D., the earliest excavation here is of the Dhumar Lena (cave 29). The most imposing excavation is, without doubt that of the magnificent Kailasa Temple (cave 16), which is the single largest monolithic structure in the World. Ellora too has been designated a World Heritage Site.
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Getting to Aurangabad
» By Air -- Aurangabad is connected to Mumbai by regular flights of both Indian Airlines and Jet Airways.
» By Rail -- Express trains connect Aurangabad with Mumbai.
Pench
Pench -- In nature lover's lingo Pench Tiger Reserve is God's own country. The Royal Bengal Tiger makes its home here in the enchanting pristine forests. Some call it "Kipling Country" as it in these jungles of Seoni that Mowgli the wolf child was discovered and the "Jungle Book" is based here. The wolf pack still resides here probably the first animal you see as you drive your way to the "Mowgli's Den". The park is rich in bio-diversity and the major Central Indian mammalian species thrive here. The avi-fauna is strikingly rich Orioles, Hornbills, Paradise Flycatchers, Tits, Warblers, Raptors, the list is endless. Reptiles like Monitor Lizard, Rat Snake, Leaf Nosed Vine Snake, Indian Python, Cobra, Krait and Russell's Viper are the shy denizens of the forests.
Insects are plenty full, and yet so much is to discovered in this yet unexplored paradise. Keep your ears and eyes open when you take a safari into the jungles for you know not what sights awaits you-a Tiger on a prowl or a Sambar stag wallowing in the mud, it could be a pack of wild dogs on a hunt or a Peacock dancing in the meadows.
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Getting to Pench
» By Air -- Pench is only 92 kms from Nagpur , which is connected to both Delhi and Mumbai by regular flights.
» By Rail -- The closest main line Rail head for Pench is Nagpur (90 kms) which is an important junction on the North-South corridor with regular Super fast trains.
» By Road -- Pench is about 150 kms from Kanha.
Gwalior
Gwalior -- Situated on the northernmost fringe of the Central Indian state of Madhya Pradesh , barely 120 km south of Agra and five hours from Delhi, Gwalior is a perfect place to start a trip to central India. The magnificent Gwalior Fort, perched on an enormous rock massif, dominates the skyline of the city. Gwalior lived through Indian history, page by page. It was the seat of a powerful dynasty, ruled by great kings as the kingdom of Gwalior dominated the military and trade routes between north and south India.
The city has a strong cultural heritage with some of the finest Indian Classical musicians claiming it as home. The long tradition of Hindustani classical music spans medieval to modern times as it flourished under royal patronage. The eminent musicians associated with Gwalior include Tansen, one of Mughal Emperor Akbar's 'nine jewels' (17th century), vocalist Onkarnath Thakur (1897-1967) and 'sarod' maestro Amjad Ali Khan and his forefathers who trace their unbroken lineage three centuries back and whose sons enthrall audiences around the world with their musical heritage.
Tansen's Tomb, part of the city's living cultural heritage, is the venue for an All India annual Music Festival (November-December) when India's leading artistes gather to pay tribute to the greatest musician of all.
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Getting to Gwalior
» By Air -- There is now a daily flight between Delhi and Gwalior.
» By Rail -- Gwalior is connected to Delhi, Agra and Jhansi by the super fast Shatabdi express train.
» By Road -- Gwalior is 120 kms from Agra.
