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Gaya, Information about Gaya, Gaya Tour
              Gaya
Information about Gaya

Gaya is situated about 92 kms. south of Patna and 15 kms. north of Bodh Gaya. Gaya is one of the most important pilgrimage places for the Hindus and Buddhists. This town derives its name from Gayasur, a demon who was an ardent devotee of Vishnu. Gaya lies between Pretshila and Ramshila hills and is washed by the shores of river Phalgu. Gaya is the city which Vishnu is said to have blessed with power to absolve all temporal sins in the same way like Varanasi. This place draws Hindus to the various sacred shrines where they offer prayers and perform the saraddha ceremony for their forefathers and take a dip in the holy river Phalgu. Here, cremations take place on the funeral pyres in the burning ghats along the river.

Tourist Attractions in Gaya

The main places of tourist interest in Gaya is the Vishnupad Temple and Sujata Sthan.

Vishnupad Temple
Vishnupad Temple is situated in the centre of the town. This temple is believed to have been built on the sacred footsteps of Vishnu which is also preserved in the temple on a rock set in a silver basin. This grand temple was renovated by Rani Ahalyabai, the queen of Indore in 1787. This 30 m high temple has 8 rows of beautifully carved pillars which support the mandapa or pavilion. Only, Hindus are permitted to visit the temple. Within the temple stands the immortal banyan tree 'Akshayabat' where the final rituals for the dead takes place. It is believed that a Hindu will reach heaven if his last rites are offered under this tree. This place is also believed to be the one under which the Buddha meditated for six years.

Sujata Sthan
Sujata Sthan or Durgeshwari Temple is situated in Gaya. According to legend, one day, while Buddha was doing severe penance, he became weak, tired and hungry. He rested under a tree where a condemned village woman named Sujata offered him food, To everybody’s surprise Buddha accepted her offerings. After having consumed the food, Buddha’s countenance assumed a divine glow and he realised the Supreme Truth that neither extreme self indulgence nor self-mortification is ever required. What is needed is to follow the Middle Path. Sujata Sthan or Durgeshwari Temple stands as a symbol commemorating this event.

Excursions

Deo
Deo is situated about 20 kms. from Gaya. The Surya temple is situated here which is dedicated to the Sun God. This temple attracts large crowds in the month of November, when Chhath puja is celebrated.

Barabar Caves
The Barabar Caves are situated about 40 kms. from Gaya. These caves belong to the 3rd century B.C. and the earliest examples of the Buddhist rock cut caves. Due to the tolerance required by the Buddhism, the Emperor Ashoka permitted the non-Buddhists to practice their religion, which led to the creation of the rock-cut temples in a form of reverse architecture.

How to get there

By Air: 
The airport in Gaya is connected with Calcutta, Dhanbad and Patna. 

By Rail:
Gaya is also connected by rail with other regions of the country as it is located on the Grand Chord line of Delhi-Calcutta section of the eastern railway.

By Road:
Gaya is connected by road to Bodh Gaya, Patna, Nalanda and Rajgir.

To know the distances from Gaya click here.

States in East India
Bihar || Jharkhand || Orissa || Sikkim || West Bengal

Information about Bihar
Introduction || History || Geography || Economy || Crafts || Cuisine || Festivals || Tourist Attractions

Cities in Bihar
Bodh Gaya || Gaya || Nalanda || Patna || Rajgir || Vaishali

Distances from Cities in Bihar
Gaya || Patna

Festivals of Bihar
Makar Sankranti Mela || Sonepur Fair || Buddha Jayanti || Mahavir Jayanti || Chhath Puja || Pitrapaksha Mela


Frequent group departures...

 
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