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)...

Bhadra_Maruti_templesingers

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 






26 comments:

  1. Ever since you guys put up the Bibi ka Maqbara on FB I have this urge to see it in real, before I see the Taj.

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  2. I have been to this mini Tajmahal, but it no way compares to the original! Do visit the real thing :)

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  3. Wow, that looks like the real Taj itself. I think due to the April A-Z challenge my GK is also improving ;)

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  4. Lovely pictures!! I have heard about it but never able to visit. I wish to see them :) :)

    ~S(t)ri
    Participant|AtoZ Challenge 2014
    Smile, it makes (y)our day!

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  5. I too have been to Bibi ka Maqbara (many years back), not yet to the Taj Mahal.

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  6. I have not been to either. But from pictures, this looks identical to the one in Agra! Nice snaps.

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  7. I have been to this place but not the original one! would love to visit it once :)

    Swathi

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  8. It does look similar to Taj Mahal ... Haven't visited the place yet. Would love too :)

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  9. Ur right it is just like the Taj only a bit smaller. lovely post Mina :)

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  10. Amazing...
    After Ellora caves we went to see Bibi ka maqbara...
    your posts remind of that trip to India ....

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  11. Oh, didn't know about this - had to look twice at the pic -looked so much like the Taj Mahal... Would like to see this one too:-) Great pictures. especially love the folk singers...:-)

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  12. I have heard a lot about Bibi ka maqbara through Vikram (emptyrucksack ) and it does look beautiful :-)

    Richa

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  13. Slap my forehead, I would never have known the difference! But then I've never seen either. :)

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  14. Lovely..quite a substitute I must say for Taj Mahal...visit tajmahal soon

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  15. Beautiful! If you hadn't said so I would have sworn it was the Taj Mahal! ♥

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  16. It seems to be a must visit place and shall make it next time. I love the Taj that I visited way back in November 2012:)

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  17. When I'm gonna see all this... :/

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  18. I have been following along. All these places seem exotic and mystical. Here is Southern California, we don't have majestic places from the long lost past. The pictures are incredible.

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  19. Wow! I love visiting monuments and have travelled 80% India...Aurangabad never occured to my mind. This is beautiful... Thanks for the update- the traveler in me loved it :)

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  20. It looks grand for sure... :) this is like a virtual tour of India. nice!

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  21. I first read about it on Pheno's blog. Have visited the Taj Mahal, hope we are able to visit this place too :)

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  22. Hey it must be nice but I think There is only one TAJ MAHAL , nothing like it :)

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  23. Have read about it in history text books. Yet to visit ! Wonderful snaps, here !!!

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  24. wow!
    I want to see this place too!!
    I think I should just make a list after talking to you once I'm back! So many places to visit! :)

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  25. Very Well written post, thoroughly enjoyed it. Bibi Ka Maqbara, is really amassing place. You can also check my post at Bibi Ka Maqbara Aurangabad at http://www.touristsafari.com/mausoleum/bibi-ka-maqbara

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