Dilras Banu Begum @Bibi Ka Maqbara

The beauty of Road trips are the hidden gems that you chance upon! Look at one that we happened to chance upon in Auranagbad........

This monument is called Bibi Ka Maqbara or locally Mini Tajmahal. I haven't yet had a chance to visit Taj Mahal yet ~~ but am told this is a true replica(though less grander) of Taj Mahal...

"Bibi ka Maqbara" was started by Aurangazeb in honor of his first wife, Dilras Banu Begum and was completed by his son. Co-incidentally, it was designed by Ata-ullah, son of Ustad Ahmad Lahauri, the architect of the Taj Mahal.

Couple of Kms away from this place is Bhadra Maruti Temple - A temple that has a strong sufi influence The folk singers who pepper this temple courtyard are a pleasure to listen to - I have posted about it in detail on Cory's blog  few weeks ago(Do listen in to the video there)...



Both thee places can be clubbed up along wit Ajanta - Ellora Caves


Linking this to 2014 AtoZ Challenge - D is for Dilras Banu Begum, the queen whose mausoleum is Bibi Ka Maqbara 

@Ajanta

Am starting this season of AtoZ with stories from my road trip in Maharashtra that we did late last year. The caves of Ajanta and Ellora is what lured Pheno to do this back-breaking road-trip(
Mumbai - Bangalore is almost 1200km one way)........ So A is for Ajanta....

Caves of Ajanta are not just another tourist attraction but also holds religious significance for Buddhists across the world. The day we were visiting, the place was teaming with Buddhist Monks from Thailand.....

Did you know, Ajanta caves is full of priceless fresco Paintings? I for one didn't know about it. The painting of Padmapani with Louts takes the cake though.....

The sculptures from that era leaves me in awe.... Considering they are from centuries ago and they must have just had the basic of the tools to chisel these out.....

 

But my favorite should be this reclining Buddha ... the peace it exudes............

I was definitely awed by this place! Next time you are in Mumbai or Pune, do make a weekend trip to this place....

And thus we kick-start 2014 AtoZ Challenge - A is for Ajanta