Travel Guide Khultabad

The village of Khultabad still exudes a medieval atmosphere. The tomb of Aurangzeb, the last important Mughal emperor, and that of Malik Ambar, the founder of Aurangabad, can be found here. 27 km northwest of Aurangabad, the village lies on the road to Ellora. Once known as Rauzaa, meaning "Garden of Paradise", the village lies at the heart of the "Valley of Saints". In the 14th century, many Sufi saints chose Rauzaa as their home. There are no fewer than 1,400 sepulchres in the area. The village of 15,800 inhabitants is surrounded by a fortified wall originally pierced by 7 gates. The wall, built by Aurangzeb, is in a sorry state today. However, the municipality has undertaken restoration work on some of the town's gates. While most tourists to Khultabad come solely for Aurangzeb's tomb, don't miss the gardens, a little-known gem of greenery. Despite the village's importance to the Muslim community, it is also a place of Hindu pilgrimage. Devotees from Aurangabad and the surrounding area flock to the Bhadra Maruti temple on Hanuman's birthday (April).