Aurangabad or Chatrapati Sambhajinagar is considered one of the oldest cities in India which is situated in the northern part of Maharashtra. Many tourists visit this place to discover its rich cultural heritage, age-old history, natural beauty, and beautiful architecture. However, most of the people visiting this place often restrict their sightseeing itinerary to Ajanta and Ellora caves but you will be amazed to know that there are more such historical landmarks which are extremely beautiful. You can consider booking a room at the finest hotel in Aurangabad and discover the hidden gems for a perfect vacation.
One such location that you shouldn’t miss during your trip is Bibi Ka Maqbara or the Taj of the Deccan. This monument or mausoleum is a symbol of remembrance which was built as a representation of love. While exploring this landmark, you will be amazed to see its resemblance with the Taj Mahal as it was considered a major inspiration. The first Taj Mahal was dedicated to the mother of Aurangzeb and the other Taj Mahal built in Aurangabad was built as a gesture of love for his wife.
History Of Bibi Ka Maqbara
Dilras Banu was born in the royal family of Iran and then she was married in 1637 to Aurangzeb. She was the first wife of Aurangzeb who died after the delivery of their fifth child. After her death, both Aurangzeb and his eldest son were in great shock. This was when it was ordered to build the mausoleum in remembrance of Dilras Banu.
This Tomb of Rabia Durani was built in 1668 which showcases the beauty of Mughal architectural magnificence. Currently, this is one of the most visited historical landmarks in the city where you can witness a beautiful white-colored mausoleum, 12-door barabari, Charbagh-style garden, Aina Khana, and a mosque. You can stay at one of the best Aurangabad hotels and plan a trip to Bibi Ka Maqbara.
Planning A Budget-Friendly Trip To Bibi Ka Maqbara
Modes Of Transportation
By Train: If you’re looking for an affordable trip to Bibi Ka Maqbara then traveling by train is always the best option. Aurangabad is well-connected by rail with the major cities including Delhi and Mumbai. From the railway station, you can take a taxi to reach the location within 20 minutes.
By Air: Aurangabad has its own domestic airport which operates various flights throughout the country. You can board a flight to the Aurangabad airport and upon arrival, you can reach the sightseeing location within just 30-35 minutes. Travelling to Aurangabad by air can seem quite comfortable and hassle-free but it can be quite expensive. If you are willing to travel by air then consider booking the tickets in advance or when the flight fare is lower.
By Road: For an amazing experience, you can also consider reaching Bibi Ka Maqbara by road. There are various national highways that connect the sightseeing landmarks with other major cities. For instance, if you’re travelling from Mumbai then you can take the Mumbai – Agra Road/Mumbai – Nashik Expy or NH 753F to reach the location. Based on your route, it may take you around 6-9 hours to arrive at Bibi Ka Maqbara from Mumbai.
Ideal Time To Visit
Winter Season: The winter season starting from November to February is considered the best time to visit Bibi Ka Maqbara. During this time, the weather of Aurangabad is quite pleasant which makes sightseeing seamless. The less amount of crowds during this time can also make your trip peaceful.
You must always remember that it is advised to avoid traveling to Bibi Ka Maqbara during the monsoon months. Although the mausoleum remains open every month, it can still be quite distressing to enjoy sightseeing amidst heavy rainfall. Henceforth, if you’re planning to visit Bibi Ka Maqbara at an affordable rate then consider choosing the winter months and reach the location by train.
Tips To Make The Bibi Ka Maqbara Tour Affordable
1. Avoid guided tours
While visiting Bibi Ka Maqbara, you can see various tour guides offering guided tours inside the monument. These guided tours are definitely a great idea to gain valuable insights about the place and learn about its history but can be quite expensive. This is because tour guides often have high rates which can add extra cost to your budget. Henceforth, you must always consider indulging in self-guided tours to save money. You can take the assistance of the internet to learn about the history and architecture of the place so that you experience no problems during the tours.
2. Select budget-friendly accommodations
One of the main areas you must be careful about while planning a budget-friendly trip to Bibi Ka Maqbara is the accommodation. Herein, you must know that Aurangabad has accommodations that suit the budget range of every traveller. You can also fix your budget and then choose a budget hotel, homestays, or guesthouses for a comfortable staycation. It is also advised that you stay near the landmark which will help you save a huge amount of transportation cost. Always consider booking the hotel in Aurangabad in advance so that you can avail yourself of some amazing early bird discounts and offers.
3. Look for affordable dining options
Along with budget-friendly accommodation options, you must also look for affordable dining during your Bibi Ka Maqbara trip. If you choose reasonable food during the vacation then you can significantly save a huge amount of money. However, for this, you have to stop yourself from going to fine dining places. Herein, you can consider mingling with the local people and looking for local eateries and authentic street food items that will satisfy your hunger and taste buds with minimal costs. Some of the street foods that you can taste here are Biryani, Naan Kalia, Shawarma, and Nan Khatai.
4. Plan your itinerary in advance
The most obvious thing you can do to make the Bibi Ka Maqbara trip affordable is to plan the entire itinerary in advance. From major expenditures to activities, doing everything beforehand can help you save money while getting the best deals. Herein, you can consider booking the train tickets, accommodation, and entry ticket in advance through online platforms for a seamless vacation. If you delay booking the tickets then you may not get train and budget-friendly hotels which will leave you with no option than staying at a high-end hotel and travelling by flight. Be 100% sure about the trip and do the bookings today!
5. Don’t hesitate to bargain
We all love to shop during our trip and while exploring Bibi Ka Maqbara it becomes hard to resist buying some authentic local products. However, shopping excessively can hurt your overall budget which can haphazard the entire planning. It is never recommended to resist buying souvenirs but while shopping don’t hesitate to bargain. Always shop from the local vendors and try to bargain to get the best deals. However, while bargaining, always remember to respect the customs and beliefs of the local people. The worth-buying items during your Bibi Ka Maqbara tour are Paithani sarees, silk shawls, and Bidriware.
6. Take good pictures by yourself
While visiting historical landmarks, we all have seen photographers roaming around to click some pictures of tourists with the monument. They then print those photos and laminate them so that you can take them back home as a souvenir. This is definitely a great way to remember your trip but can be quite costly as they charge for each picture. Herein, it is always recommended that you take beautiful pictures of yourself and the monument with your own phone or camera. This will help you save the money that you would have spent on clicking pictures from professional photographers.
By following these tips and booking the hotel in Aurangabad in advance, you can make your Bibi Ka Maqbara trip comfortable yet affordable. Be amazed to witness the architecture and beauty of the historical monument that stands high as a representation of love.
