Major city · India
Dharashivधाराशिव
Half a day for the Dharashiv Caves, then move on: the town itself has little else for travellers.
Dharashiv (formerly Osmanabad) is a small town in Marathwada, Maharashtra, known almost exclusively for the Dharashiv Caves — a set of seven rock-cut caves dating from the 5th–7th century. The caves are the only reason to stop. The town has limited accommodation and dining options, so most visitors come as a day trip from Aurangabad or Beed and continue onward.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- INR
- Best months
- Oct–Mar
- avoid Apr–Jun (extreme heat), Jul–Sep (heavy rain may make cave access slippery)
- Airports
- BOM · HYD
- Nights
- 0
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 6
- South Asia ↗Trekking regions, border districts and several Indian states need separate permits on top of the visa; check the permit before you book transport into them.
- South Asia ↗Remove shoes (and in many Jain and Hindu temples, leather) before entering; cover shoulders and legs; ask before photographing people or rituals.
- India ↗Apply for the e-visa only on the official government portal (indianvisaonline.gov.in); lookalike sites charge extra. Check the current rules, fees and how far ahead to apply.
- India ↗Do not follow anyone who says your hotel is closed, the station ticket office is closed or a road is shut; use the prepaid taxi counter, the metro or an app car.
- India ↗Carry Indian rupees in small notes (10, 20, 50, 100); change for 500 is often refused.
- India ↗Parts of the Northeast, Sikkim, Ladakh, the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and all border belts need a Protected or Restricted Area Permit or an Inner Line Permit for foreigners; check before you book the route.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for Dharashiv112 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Dharashiv, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Indian rupees (INR, ₹) in small notes for autos, street food, tips and entry tickets.India-wide
- SIM or eSIMJio, Airtel and Vi sell tourist SIMs at airport counters and their shops; passport, visa and a photo needed; activation can take a few hours.India-wide
- Tap waterNot drinkable from the tap.India-wide
- TippingRestaurant: 5–10% if no service charge is on the bill.India-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets C/D/M. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 230 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.India-wide
- SafetyDharashiv is a quiet town with low crime.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsWestern toilets in hotels, malls and airports; squat toilets with a water jug or hose in stations and villages.India-wide
- Emergency numbers112 police · 101 fire · 108 ambulance (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysThe Taj Mahal is closed on Fridays; many museums close on Mondays; banks close on the second and fourth Saturdays…India-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportBOM Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport, Mumbai (About 6–7 h by road; nearest major airport with international connections.).
- Getting aroundAuto-rickshaws and taxis are available for hire; the caves are about 5 km (3.1 mi) from the town centre.Auto-rickshaws and taxis are available for hire; the caves are about 3.1 mi (5 km) from the town centre.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Street or quick mealChai at a local stall₹10–20 (≈ under US$1)
- Metro or bus rideBus from Dharashiv to Aurangabad₹150–250 (≈ US$2–3)
- Budget bedDouble room, a night, per room₹1,200 (≈ US$14)
- Mid-range bedDouble room, a night, per room₹2,500 (≈ US$30)
- High-end bedDouble room, a night, per room₹4,000 (≈ US$50)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget ₹1,500 (≈ US$18) · Mid ₹3,000 (≈ US$35) · High ₹5,000 (≈ US$60)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- BOM Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport, Mumbai (About 6–7 h by road; nearest major airport with international connections.) · HYD Rajiv Gandhi International Airport, Hyderabad (About 4–5 h by road; another option for domestic flights.)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Best
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Feb
Best
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Mar
Best
37°C (99°F)99°F (37°C)
Apr
Avoid
40°C (104°F)104°F (40°C)
May
Avoid
41°C (106°F)106°F (41°C)
Jun
Avoid
36°C (97°F)97°F (36°C)
Jul
Avoid
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Aug
Avoid
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Sep
Avoid
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Oct
Best
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Nov
Best
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Dec
Best
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Best: Oct–Mar. Avoid: Apr–Sep. Month by month →
Warmest May (41°C (106°F)106°F (41°C)), coolest Jan (14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C) low), wettest Jul (11 rain days), driest Jan (1). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Dharashiv: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
1 rd
Feb
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
1 rd
Mar
37°C (99°F)99°F (37°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
1 rd
Apr
40°C (104°F)104°F (40°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
2 rd
May
41°C (106°F)106°F (41°C)
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
3 rd
Jun
36°C (97°F)97°F (36°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
9 rd
Jul
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
11 rd
Aug
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
10 rd
Sep
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
8 rd
Oct
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
4 rd
Nov
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
2 rd
Dec
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
1 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Auto-rickshaws and taxis are available for hire; the caves are about 5 km from the town centre. Walking is possible but not recommended in summer.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Door to door: 3–3.5 h
Bus or train, about 2.5–3 h
Base for Ellora and Ajanta caves; stay overnight.
Door to door: 2 h
Bus or taxi, about 1.5 h
Small town with a fort and a few temples; half a day.
Door to door: 3.5–4 h
Bus or taxi via Aurangabad, about 3 h
Known for the Jayakwadi dam and bird sanctuary; a full day.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Dharashiv town centre
A few basic hotels near the bus stand and railway station; limited options, book ahead.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- ₹1,500–2,500 (≈ US$18–30) excl. bed
- Mid
- ₹2,500–4,000 (≈ US$30–50) excl. bed
- High
- ₹4,000 (≈ US$50)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Basic hotel room (single)1 × 1 night × ₹800 | ₹800 |
| Food, local transport, entries1 × 1 day × ₹1,500 | ₹1,500 |
| Auto-rickshaw from town to caves (return)1 × ₹300 | ₹300 |
| Bus from Aurangabad to Dharashiv (one way)1 × ₹150 | ₹150 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | ₹280 |
| Trip total≈ ₹3,030 per person per day, bed included | ₹3,030≈ US$35 |
2026 estimate in INR; flights excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Chai at a local stall | ₹10–20 (≈ under US$1) |
| Vegetarian thali | ₹100–200 (≈ US$2–3) |
| Auto-rickshaw ride (town to caves, one way) | ₹150–200 (≈ US$2–3) |
| Bus from Dharashiv to Aurangabad | ₹150–250 (≈ US$2–3) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Caves are unstaffed and may be locked without notice: check locally before heading out.
- No food or water at the caves — carry your own.
- Slippery paths after rain; wear sturdy shoes.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 112
- Fire
- 101
- Ambulance
- 108
Pocket card
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Dharashivधाराशिव
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
मुझे इस पते पर ले चलिएTake me to this address
Emergency
- Police112
- Fire101
- Ambulance108
Embassy
The US Consulate General is in Mumbai; most other countries have embassies in New Delhi or consulates in Mumbai.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Auto-rickshaw town → caves: about ₹150–200 (≈ US$2–3)
- Bus Dharashiv → Aurangabad: about ₹150–250 (≈ US$2–3), 2.5–3 h
Say or show
- नमस्ते — Hello (namaste)
- धन्यवाद — Thank you (dhanyavaad)
- कितना? — How much? (kitna?)
- गुफाएँ कहाँ हैं? — Where are the caves? (guphaen kahan hain?)
- पानी — Water (paani)
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Dharashiv. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Oct–Mar · avoid Apr–Jun (extreme heat), Jul–Sep (heavy rain may make cave access slippery) · month by month →
- 2 airports and 1 area to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 3 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Cave access hours and condition: field-checked before each season.
- Local transport from Dharashiv station to caves: verified with auto-rickshaw union.
- Nearby eateries with vegetarian options: listed with opening hours.
Sources
Ask about Dharashiv
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