About Paithan Situated 56 kms south of Aurangabad, is the ancient capital city of the Satvahanas, Paithan famous for its traditional Paithani silk saris. The Jayakwadi dam here is a haven for avid nature lovers. The huge Gyaneshwar Udyan, Maharashtra's largest garden is another attraction of this area. Paithani silk saris are renowned with exquisite zari borders. A visit to the weavers? workshop is fascinating and one can order a customized saree as well. Today, it is also an important excavation site. Centuries ago, the famous Marathi poet - saint, Eknath lived here. Legend links Paithan with Shalivahana who made it the capital of the Satavahana kingdom in AD 78. The most picturesque aspect of Paithan are the bathing Ghats - the oldest structures in the city. Since early times Paithan has been a religious centre of considerable importance, being the birth place of a number of Hindu Saints, like Bhanudas, Mukteshwar and Eknath, known for their piety and learning. Many shrines within the town and along the riverbank are connected with the lives of these holy men. Forty Eight Kilometers south of Aurangabad, reached by Bus is Paithan, visited by the greek traders from 400 to 200 BC. Today is the centre of the ancient industry of gold and silver threaded embroidery for which the motifs are derived from the Ajanta caves. The other points of interest are : Jain Temple, Temple of Sant Eknath, on the banks of Godavari river, Samadhi of Sant Eknath, and of Navnath. Situated at the bank of a river is a very huge dam "Jaykwadi", which provides water to Aurangabad City and Surrounding Places.
Recently built is a famous "Sant Eknath Garden" spread over huge 97 acres of land. This is a replica of the Vrindavan Gardens of Mysore, and is used to shoot various scenes for the Hindi and Marathi Movies. Known the world over as a poem hand woven in silk and gold, Paithani Sarees are for those with discerning and refined taste. The art of weaving Paithani flourished in 200 B.C., during satvahana era. Since then paithani is coveted in India as a precious heirloom passing on from generation to generation. Exquisite Silk from Paithani was exported to many countries and was traded in return for gold and precious stones. Shear dedication and the faith of the weavers has kept alive paithani silk work for more than 2000 years. Real paithani is hand woven in pure silk and gold / silver. Intricate designs on Pallu and border is a speciality of paithani sarees. Motifs on pallu are generally peacock, parrot, lotus, mango and other designs taken from Ajanta Caves. Traditional creative artistry and painstaking workmanship combine to form this unique cloth. Paithani sarees can take between 2 months to 2 years to manufacture, depending on border and pallu design and costs from Rs. 6000/- to Rs. 500,000. The Paithani Sarees are available at all major textile outlets and the Paithani weaving Center ( Opp. MGM Hospital) in the city of Aurangabad.