Gaya, Salvations place of souls for Hindus
Gaya is second largest city in the state of Bihar as well as the administrative headquarters of Gaya District. It is located about 100 km away from Patna on the west banks of holy Falgu River. this city is surrounded with three small hills of its three sides namely Mangla-Gauri, Ram-Shila and Brahmayoni hill. Gaya is very sacred place for Hindus Buddhist. Hindus believe that it is the salvation place of the immortal souls after the death of mortal human bodies. So, Hindus visits to this city to offer Pinda (Pinda Danam) at the river of Falgu in Gaya due to the salvation to the souls of their ancestors. According to Buddhist, the place is sacred as the enlightenment of Gautam Buddha is performer close to the city at Bodh gaya just 12 km away from Gaya and lord Buddha also visit this place many times.
(Vishnupad Temple, A famous site for Hindu devotees in Gaya)
Gaya derives its name from the holy demon Gayasur who killed by Lord Vishnu killed by pressuring over him with his foot. And it transformed the demon into the series of rocky hills that make up the landscape of the Gaya. Gaya was under the Magadha Kingdom and ruled by the Mauryan from 6th century to 2nd century BC. After Mauryan rule over many dynasties took control over it but Gupta Dynasty was most vital of them who ruled this region from 4th to 5th century AD. Samudra Gupta helped to bring Gaya in limelight and he treated Gaya as the headquarters of Behar district. Gaya came under Muslim in 12th century by Bakhtiyar Khilji. After a long period of Khilji, the Pathan Chief Sher Shah ruled over it at the end of 16th century. Later in 1764 it passed on to the British and finally it became a part of India in 1947 at the time of independence.
Tour Spots in and around Gaya
Vishnupad Temple (Vishnupad means foot print of lord Vishnu) is located in Gaya on the banks of Falgu river. you will find here a 40 cm long foot print of Lord Vishnu inside the temple imprinted on rock surrounded by silver plated basin. This temple was constructed by Queen Ahilya Bai in 1787 and the city of Gaya has mainly developed around the temple.
Surya Kund is a big pond located adjacent to the Vishnupad temple. Hindus believe that a holy bath in the pond gets rid them of their sins. During the festival time of Vishnupad temple (March-April and September-October) lots of devotees gathered here to take a holy bath. Specially in Chhat Puja the place took a festive looks when the devotees from adjoining place gathered here to take a holy bath.
Barabar Caves is situated 25 kilometers away from Gaya. These caves go back to the second century BC and were carved during Ashoka period. Great Buddhist king Ashok built these caves for Ajivikas. Lomas Rishi cave is the most magnificent which is carved as a thatched hut and has a big chamber inside it. Ashoka’s grandson built other two caves Sudama and Chaupar which are equally magnificent.
Parasnath hill is a pilgrim destination located in Gaya. Jain religious scriptures reveal that out of 24 Jain Tirthankars, 22 attained salvations at this place and for this simple reason the place is considered the most sacred for Jain followers.
Bodh Gaya is a major tourist attraction in Bihar located just 12 km away from Gaya. Whether you plan to go Gaya then don’t miss it. It is a very sacred site for Buddhist, Jain and Hindus. You will discover several attraction at Bodhgaya like Mahabodhi Temple, Bodhi Tree, and many more.
How to reach Gaya Town?
Travel by Roadways
Gaya is well connected to Patna and Bihar Sharif respectively by NH-83 and NH-82. Another National Highway No 2 connects the city to Ranchi, Jamshedpur, Bokaro, Rourkella, Durgapur, Calcutta, Varanasi, Allahabad, Kanpur, Delhi and Amritsar. You will get regular direct bus services these cities to Gaya.
Travel by Railways
If you make a plan to visit to Gaya with a train journey then the Junction railway station of Gaya will be destination to you. It is the second largest station in Bihar after Patna and it conneced Patna and Kiul Junction with two separate line. You will get regular Express train services to this station from the cities of Delhi, Chennai, Mumbai, Kolkata, Jaypur, Agra, Varanasi, Ranchi, Nagpur, Guwahati, Ahmedabad, etc.
Travel by Airways
Gaya international Airport is placed just 8 Km away from the main tourist destination of Gaya. It operates only international flights from Colombo, Sri Lanka, Bangkok, Thailand; Singapore, Bhutan, etc. It is said to be being developed as a stand-by to the Kolkata airport. Currently, there are no domestic operations.
Hotels in Gaya
| Hotel Siddhartha International Station Road, Gaya Phone: 0631-2220958, 0631-2226419 Email: hotelsiddhartha1@rediffmail.com Website: www.rajgir-residency.com |
The Royal Residency Dumuhan Road, Gaya 824231 Phone: 0631-2200124, 0631-2200367 Email: inpacind@del2.vsnl.net.in Website: www.theroyalresidency.net |
| Lotus Nikko Hotel Bodhgaya, Gaya-824231 Phone : 0631-2200700, 0631-2200788 Email: lotus.nikko.hotels@vsnl.net Website: www.lotusnikkohotels.com |
Hotel Sujata Temple Street, Gaya-824231 Phone: 0631-2200481 Email address: info@sujatahotel.com Website address: www.hotelsujata.com |
General info of Gaya
| Country | India |
| State | Bihar |
| District | Gaya District |
| STD Code | 0631 |
| ISD Code | 0091631 |
| Postal Code | 823001 |
| Population in Gaya | 463457 (census 2011) |
| Dialects | Bihari, Maghdhi, Hindi. |
| Climate | Winter Minimum - 6°C and Summer Maximum - 44°C |
| Best season to visit | October to May |
| Targeted Railway Station | Gaya Railway Junction |
| Airport | Gaya International Airport |