Something in its airs speaks of the traces of spiritual prowess left behind by its many ancestors. Yes, the valley is indeed that of saints, the landmarks the final resting place of over 1500 Sufi saints of yore. It is amazing how in India the past breathes alongside the present. While this is true of most places in the subcontinent, what better than Khuldabad bearing its multitude of tombs of Sufi saints to remind one of the same? Contributions of Sufism to our heritage can never be undermined by any standards, their spiritually rich literature and arts continue to inspire and initiate many a heart towards the serene yet passionate shores of divinity found within. Khuldabad has been rightly nicknamed as the ‘garden of paradise’, or Rauza. Read long to see the shores of history a tour in the city will take you towards.

Location

The district of Aurangabad is a strategically important commercial and tourist center in the state of Maharashtra. This is where Khuldabad situates.

History

The city not just holds religious sanctity owing to the presence of many a tomb of Sufi saints, its historical importance is also tethered to it bearing the tomb of Emperor Aurangzeb, the last of the Mughal emperors deemed great by historians. Aurangzeb’s son and wife are also buried next to him. The city also houses tombs of other major and minor figures of political power in the medieval era.

Structure

The city of Khuldabad is built within a fortified wall with seven gates upon it. Aurangzeb is credited with the construction of the wall, and of the city. Many in the local population opine that the wall is under the risk of collapse and urgent measures need to be implemented to prevent the same. The tomb of Aurangzeb has been built such that it is located in the midway between the paths that run across the northern and southern gates of the city. The gateway situated adjacent to the domed porch was constructed in the year 1760. It opens the pathway to the many buildings of schools and tourist-houses in the city. A mosque is located on the western side of the pathway while a Nagarkhana is located on its southern side.

What to See

Read along to know where to head on when you reach Khuldabad.

• Aurangzeb’s Tomb: Aurangzeb’s tomb is a rather simple, sober building. The gateway from the northern part of the mosque leads to the tomb of the Aurangzeb. A room next to the tomb is where the cloth spread over the coffin in the tomb is kept. The tomb is situated on the right-hand side as you enter the building and is built on an elevated ground at a height of six inches. It lies in a stone platform with such minimal designing; as opposed to what one expects the tomb of a Monarch to look like. Legend has it that Aurangzeb sold self-knit caps and copies of Quran to fund the tomb’s construction. The year 1760 saw the addition of a domed porch and gateway to the tomb. The tomb shares one of its walls with an Adjacent Dargah. Three of its walls are laid with perforated marble. Tombs of Aurangzeb’s son, daughter-in-law and grand-daughter exist alongside Aurangzeb’s. Marble screen and minarets adorn the walls of the tomb, while the headstone consisting of floral patterns is the highlight of Azam Shah’s Tomb.
• Zain Ud Din Dargah: This tomb was constructed by the disciples of the highly revered Muslim saint Zain Ud Din. It consists of a square-shaped courtyard within whose boundaries the tomb and two mosques rest. Several buildings including the Nagarkhana and music chamber surround the tomb. The doors to the shrine are adorned with the most beautifully cut stones and silver plate. In the holy memory of the saint, his robe has been preserved in an adjacent room.
• Burhan Ud Din’s Tomb: Opposite the tomb of the Mughal emperor Aurangzeb is built the tomb of Burhan Ud Din. Akin to the aforementioned tomb, its architecture resembles an open-fronted structure. The Nagarkhana is situated on the eastern side of the building. A portion of the building is employed for teaching purposes. The shrine houses hair from the beard of the Sufi saint. Other prominent tombs in the place include those built in the memory of Nizam Ul Mulk, his son, as well as Banu Begum, daughter-in-law of Aurangzeb.
• Bhadra Maruti Temple: A temple dedicated to Hindu God Lord Hanuman adorns the city too. The temple has its idol in a sleeping Posture, only two such idols exist in the country. The temple attracts a considerable number of devout population and the festivals of Ram Navami and Hanuman Jayanti see more than a lakh Vistors assembling on its grounds.

Eat, Drink, Collect

One cannot miss out on the delicacies of local cuisine the roadside vendors and restaurants serve across Khuldabad. Be it Puri Bhaji, Thalipeeth, Jwarichi Bhakri, Seekh Kebabs, Shikampur, Jhunka Bhakar and Vada pav are some of its most relished cuisines. Equally recommended are the Street side shops and outlets in the other regions of Aurangabad. One can find an equal number of vegetarian as well as non-vegetarian outlets throughout the city.

One finds tourists flocking at its many shops selling traditional apparel. Shawls, scarves, bed sheets made of locally spun silk and cotton are some of their favorite items. The city is also famous for its Paithani Sarees spun with golden threads and silk. Gift items, cutlery having religious inscriptions, artificial Jewellery, antique items etc are other items you can buy from the shops.

Best Time to Visit

Well, here is a town you can make travel plans at any time of the year! The temperature remains optimum throughout. Neither does the monsoon showers hit hard here. One can enjoy a pleasant stay in the town owing to its favorable climate.

Provision for tourist accommodation can be made at one of its many hotels or resorts in Aurangabad, the State guest house or thee Traveler’s Bungalow. You ought not to miss the historical Ellora caves once you are in the city. It is located at a distance of merely 6-7 kilometers from the city.

How to Reach

Khuldabad is a mere 22-kilometer drive from Aurangabad. The city is well connected by road, rail and air transport to major cities of the nation. If you are coming via an international flight, remember to get down at Pune International Airport. An alternative choice would be to opt to fly to another international airport in India and reach Aurangabad through your preferred mode of transport.