AURANGABAD WITH SHIRDI SAI DARSHAN
Destination; Aurangabad – Shirdi (via Shani Shingnapur Temple)
Duration: 4 Nights / 05 Days
INTRODUCTION:
Shirdi is a town in the Ahmednagar district of Maharashtra in India. It is located 185 km east of the Arabian Sea shoreline. Shirdi was where the great saint Sai Baba lived till his Samadhi in 1918. Today, it is a pilgrimage center and millions of his devotees from all over the world come each year to pay their respects.
Aurangabad district is one of the 35 districts in the Maharashtra state of western India and the only Tourist district of India having two heritage monuments to its credit. The caves of Ajanta and Ellora are designated as UNESCO World Heritage sites.
Aurangabad District is rich in historical monuments and heritage including Ajanta, Ellora, Daulatabad and Bibi Ka Maqbara. Besides this, there are large number of caves of exquisite beauty at Aurangabad caves and Pitalkhora.
ITINERARY:
Day 01: AURANGABAD – SHIRDI
Arrive at the Aurangabad airport/ Railway Station, Meet & assist by our local representative. Later depart to Shirdi. Shirdi is about 160 Kilometers from Aurangabad & will take three hours approx. En – route visit the Shingnapur Village. This is situated halfway to Shirdi. Shingnapur is also known as Shani Shingnapur on account of the temple dedicated to God Shani, a Hindu God who represents that planet Saturn. You will be visiting the temple as well. The most unique thing about the village is that the houses in this village do not have doors. There are doorways but no doors. It is believed that the deity of the temple is so powerful that it prevents any theft. Even valuables are not kept under lock and key. Surprisingly though there have not been any robberies in this village till date and a nationalized bank has also opened a ‘lockless’ branch in the village. After your darshan at the temple depart for Shirdu. On arrival Shirdi check into your hotel. Evening free at leisure. Overnight Shirdi.
Day 02: SHIRDI
Morning after fresh n up visit the Shirdi Sai Baba temple. This is a beautiful temple that has been built over the Samadhi of Shri Sai Baba, the legendary saint. The temple draws hundreds of pilgrims a year. The saint is revered by people from all communities and religions.
Hindus and Muslims have faith in the saint and visit the temple to offer their prayers. Later return to the hotel or explore local market and city. Evening free at leisure. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 03: SHIRDI – AURANGABAD (VIA ELLORA CAVES)
After an early breakfast, Check out from the hotel in Shirdi and depart for Aurangabad. En – route visit the Ellora caves. The volcanic activity in the created many vertical basalt formations that made carving possible. Ellora is a world heritage site and is the epitome of Indian rock architecture. There are 34 caves that have been excavated and each is awe inspiring and is a testament to the ability of the craftsmen that used to walk this land. There are Buddhist, Hindu and Jain rock-cut temples. There are 12 Buddhist caves, 17 Hindu and 5 Jain caves. Some caves have multi-storied structures that are monasteries. These buildings include living quarters, sleeping quarters, kitchens and other rooms. It is just amazing to even think that people visualized and realized these tremendous structures during a time when there were no modern tools. The confluence of so many cultures in such a small areas also shows that the Indian society was secular and promoted religious harmony. After spending some time here visit the Daulatabad fort. This is a 14th century fort also an equally awe inspiring structure. The Devagiri fort is a combination of ground fort and hill fort. During the 14th century this fort was considered to be impregnable. Even today it is impossible to scale. The fort was the reason why Muhammad-bin-Tughluq renamed Devagiri as Daulatabad and shifted his capital from Delhi to Daulatabad. Later arrive Aurangabad and check into the hotel. Overnight at Aurangabad.
Day 04: AURANGABAD – AJANTA CAVES
After your breakfast at hotel, depart for full day tour to the Ajanta Caves. These caves have been declared as a UNESCO world heritage site. These caves date as far back as 2nd century BC and is maintained by the Archaeological Survey of India. The paintings and sculptures in these caves are considered to be the finest surviving examples of ancient Indian painting. The Ajanta caves are cut into the side of a cliff that is situated over the small river Waghora. There are steps that lead from the caves to the river and could have been used by the inhabitants of the caves. The cave complex was not completed and there are some caves that are in a partial state of construction. There are very few examples of Indian paintings from as far back as the 2nd century BC. There are elaborate carvings in the rocky wall surfaces that are intricate and beautiful as well. The Buddhist monasteries in the Ajanta caves were college monasteries. The layout of the structure is connected via the exterior. It is possible to get the full perspective of the complex by climbing on top of the hill around the Kailasa Temple. The structure covers twice the area of the Parthenon in Greece and is also one and a half times higher.
It is impossible to even comprehend the level of skill that the artisans must have possessed to create masterpieces that have withstood the test of time. After your trip to Ajanta caves return to the hotel. Overnight at Aurangabad.
Day 05: AURANGABAD DEPARTURE
After breakfast, check out from hotel. Later depart to the airport / Railway station to board for your next destination.
Note: Trip cost depends on your group size, travel period and your specific tour needs. Please contact us or send us an enquiry for availability and most updated price.
TOUR PACKAGE INCLUSIONS
- Welcome drink on arrival (non alcoholic).
- Accommodation on Room + Breakfast basis.
- Inclusive of all taxes.
- Sightseeing as per itinerary. (Subject to transportation book through us).
PACKAGE EXCLUDES:
- Air/ Train fare.
- Airport taxes.
- Extra activities, Guide, Camera fee charges & tips
- Meals except those listed in above inclusions
- Travel insurance
- Any other services not mentioned above inclusions.
- All other than those listed in above inclusions.
TERMS & CONDITIONS:
- ARTS TRAVELS reserves the right to change/modify or terminate the offer/package any time at its discretion and without any prior notice.
- The package cannot be combined with any other offer which is published by ARTS TRAVELS.
- Refund on cancellation depends upon cancellations as informed by ARTS TRAVELS.
- Hotel rooms are subject to availability at the time of booking.
- Rates are subject to change in case of change in airport taxes, hotel rates, rate of exchange, transport rates, Government taxes or entrance fees. Your final invoice will reflect these price changes and any differences will be payable at the time of making your final tour payment.
- Prices are subject to change due to non-availability of seats / rooms category in the required class / hotel.
FOR MORE DETAILS or TO CUSTOMIZE THIS PACKAGE, PLEASE CONTACT US OR SEND ENQUIRY
