Bibi-Ka-Maqbara, Aurangabad

The Bibi-Ka-Maqbara in Aurangabad is a beautiful mausoleum of Dilras Banu Begum, the wife of the Mughal Emperor Aurangazeb. This was built by Prince Azam Shah in memory of his mother between 1651 and 1661 A.D. The mausoleum was built in style similar to the world famous Taj Mahal of Agra and hence it is rightly known as the "Taj of Deccan".

The mausoleum stands at the center of a huge enclosure. There is a beautiful garden in the Mughal style in front of the adding beauty and splendor through its symmetry and excellent garden layout.

The mausoleum is entered through a main entrance gate on its south, which has excellent designs in the ceiling. After passing through the entrance one will come across a small tank. After this the pathway that leads to the mausoleum has a series of fountains at its center.

The mausoleum is built on a high square platform which has four minarets at its corners and platform is approached by a flight of steps.

The lower and upper part of the mausoleum is made up of pure marble , decorated with beautiful carvings, whereas the middle portion is of basaltic trap, covered with plaster, rendered with a marble finish and adorned with stucco work.

The mortal remains of queen is placed below the ground level surrounded by an octagonal marble screen. The octagonal gallery running around the interior enables imposing view of the grave below. There are interesting patterns in the ceiling and walls of the mausoleum.

In the morning we had visited Ellora caves. By the time we traveled back to this place, it was late in the evening after 7:00 p.m.