Places to visit in Aurangabad: Named after the last Mughal king Aurangzeb, the city of Aurangabad is popularly known as the tourism capital of Maharashtra. The city which was part of the erstwhile princely state of Hyderabad during the British era became part of Maharashtra in the year of 1960. Located in the Deccan plateau, the city is home to a number of UNESCO World Heritage Sites including the impressive Ajanta and Ellora caves. Known as the 'city of gates', Aurangabad has close to 52 gates, each of which have a local history attached to it. Apart from being a tourist destination, Aurangabad is a major manufacturing and IT hub and is one of the fastest growing cities not only in the country but also Asia. The city has always been a major silk and cotton textile production centre due to its location on a major trade route. Well connected by road, rail and air, there is a lot to do in Aurangabad which includes sightseeing, shopping and sampling some of the best Mughlai fare. You can also pick up their exquisite Paithani and Himroo silk weaves, silverware and semi-precious stones. The best time to visit Aurangabad is between October and March as the weather is pleasant during this period. Chikalthana Airport located at a distance of 11 kilometers from the city centre is linked with the major cities of India. It is also connected to other major cities of the country via regular trains and buses.