Vishnupad
Gaya is located 100 kilometers away from the capital city of Patna. Historically, Gaya was the part of the ancient Magadh Empire. The city is located on the bank of Falgu River and is considered among one of the most sacred cities for Hindus. Three hills Mangala-Gauri, Shringa-Sthan, Ram-Shila and Brahmayoni surround it from three sides and make at a safe and beautiful site. Gaya is an ancient place and has great heritage and history. Various modes of transportation connect Gaya with other major cities of Bihar along with rest of India
Gaya is sacred not only for Hindus but also for Buddhists, as the place has many Buddhist pilgrim destinations. These sacred places in Gaya correspond to physical features, most of which occur naturally. The bank sides of river Falgu and temples located on the bank are beautiful and attractive. A peepal tree standing on the bank of Falgu River called Akshayavat is considered sacred for Hindus. The tree is worshiped for its divinity
The Mangla Gauri shrine who is believed to be the first wife of Lord Shiva is worshiped here. The two rounded stones that symbolize the breasts of the mythological Sati have been considered sacred among Hindus. The most attractive destination in Gaya is Vishnupad Temple. The temple is located on the bank of river Falgu River and has footprint of Vishnu incised into a block of basalt. People believe that Lord Vishnu killed Gayasur by placing his foot on Gayasur’s chest.
The old temple of Vishnupad was later renovated by the queen of Indore, Devi Ahilyabai in eighteenth century. While Hindus claim that footprints in Vishunpad temple are of Lord Vishnu, Buddhists consider them the footprints of Lord Buddha. The temple is nevertheless a major pilgrim destination.
Nomenclature of Gaya is based on the myth of demon Gayasur who Lord Vishnu had killed in a dual. The place is so sacred for Hindus that even Lord Ram had performed Pindadanam here for his ancestors. Legend says that Lord Ram had come to Gaya to pay homage to his ancestors and Sita had accompanied him on his way. Gaya is equally important for Buddhists as this was the place where Lord Buddha preached the Fire Sermon i.e. Adittapariyaya Sutta to around 1000 agriculture workers who were fire-worshipers. The influence of Buddha’s discourse was so enormous that all of them converted to Buddhism.
Bodhgaya
Bodhgaya is one of the most important and sacred Buddhist pilgrimage center in the world. It was here under a banyan tree, the Bodhi Tree, Gautama attained supreme knowledge to become Buddha,the Enlightened One. Born; in the foothills of the Himalayas as a Sakya prince of Kapilvastu (now in Nepal), most of the major events of his life, like enlightenment and last sermon, happened in Bihar. Buddhism as a religion was really born in Bihar and evolved here through his preaching and the example of his lifestyle of great simplicity, renunciation and empathy for everything living. Significantly, the state’s name of ‘Bihar’ originated from ‘Vihara’ meaning monasteries which abounded in Bihar. Several centuries after Buddha’s passing away, the Maurya Emperor Ashoka (234-198 BC) contributed tremendously towards the revival, consolidation and spread of the original religion. It is the monasteries, Ashoka built for the Buddhist monks and the pillars known as Ashokan Pillars erected to commemorate innumerable historical sites associated with the Buddha’s life, mostly intact to this day, that helped scholars and pilgrims alike to trace the life events and preaching of a truly extraordinary man. There is a magnificent Mahabodhi temple and the Tree from the original sapling still stands in the temple premises. The temple is an architectural amalgamation of many centuries, cultures and heritages. While its architecture has a distinct stamp of the Gupta era, it has later ages inscriptions describing visits of pilgrims from Sri Lanka, Myanmar and China between 7th and 10th century AD. It is perhaps still the same temple Hieuen Tsang visited in 7th century.
What to see.
Manglagauri.
Located on a small hill on the south side of Gaya, is one of famous Sati (Gouri) temple. The temple is situated in the nearby area of Akshya Vat. As mentioned in puranas, Lord Shiva was performing dance of dissolution maddened at the death of his wife sati. To stop this, Lord Vishnu had to cut the body of sati in to many pieces by his chakra to check Lord Shiva’s further Anger. As the pieces were cut, they fell at different locations and each of this location being turned in to a Shakti Peeth (Holyplace of worship of Gauri).
Ramshila Hill.
Ramshila Hill situated on the south-east side of Gaya is considered to be the most sacred place as it is believed that Lord Rama had offered ‘pinda’ on the hill. The name of the hill is associated with Lord Rama. A number of stone sculptures belonging to the ancient period can be sill notices on and around the hill which suggest the existence of some earlier structures or temples since very early time. The Temple situated on the top of the hill called as Ramesvara or Patalesvara temple was originally built in 1014 A.D. but has gone through many restoration and repairs in succeeding period. In front of the temple “pindas” are offered by the Hindu devotees during Pitrapaksh for their ancestors.
Pretshila Hill.
Pretshila hill is about 10 kms from the Ramshila hill. Just below the hill the Brahma Kund is situated. After taking bath in this pond people go for the ‘Pind Dan’. On top of the hill the Queen of Indore, Ahilya Bai, built a temple in 1787 popularly known as Ahilya Bai Temple. This temple has always been an attraction for the tourists due to its unique architecture and magnificent sculptures.
Akshya Vat.
The famous Akshya vat is located in the nearby area of Vishnu pad temple. The Akshya Vat was blessed by sita devi to become immortal & never shred its leaves in any season.
Sita Kund.
On the opposite side of the Vishnu pad temple, Sita Kund is situated on the other banks of the Falgu River. There is a small temple depicting the spot where Sita Devi performed pinda dana for her father-in-law.
Falgu River.
Flowing on the east side of Gaya, the Falgu River carries water only during the monsoon season. At other time the river bed is externally dry. However if you scratch some mud you will find water. Being cursed by Sita Devi, this river runs as under water river below the bed.
Dungeshwari Temple / Dungeshwari Hill.
Gautama Siddhartha is believed to have meditated at this place for 6 years before he went to Bodhgaya for the final realization. Two small shrines are built to commemorate this phase of Buddha. A golden emaciated Buddha sculpture memorising the rigid penance is enshrined in one of the cave temples and a large (about 6’ tall) Buddha’s statue in the other. A Hindu goddess deity Dungeshwari is also placed inside the cave temple.
Baba Koteshwarnath Temple.
Baba Koteshwarnath Temple is situated in Village Main, Block Belaganj, District Gaya. The temple is situated on the confluence of the river Morhar & Dargha in Gaya, is famous for highly sacred Lord Shiva Temple. Located 90km south of Patna, Koteshwarnath temple is believed to have been build around 8th century AD.
Koteshwarnath temple’s sanctum is carved in a single piece of red stone and within it is installed a large sized Shivalinga with around 1,008 miniature Shivlingas around 1200 years back.
It says that Vanasur’s Main & DevKund was situated in a deep forest. Usha used to visit the temple to offer prayers during which Lord Shiva appeared & told her to establish a Sahashtra Linga to get her wish full filled. After that Usha established the Shiva Linga. In result of that Lord Shiva granted her wish and she got married with Aniruddha, grandson of Lord Krishna her husband with whom she went on to live her life.
The place is known as “Shiv Nagar” in ancient times. There is a reference that Sahastra Shiv Ling idol was established at the end of Dwapar Yuga. This Shiv Ling was established by Usha, daughter of King Vanasur of Sonitpur. It’s a belief that a pilgrimage to this place is powerful enough to full fill all the wishes and desires of the one who comes here. Quite Evidently, Every year In the month of Saawan devotees throng this temple to offer prayers.
It says that Vanasur’s Main & Dev Kund was situated in a deep forest. Usha used to visit the temple to offer prayers during which Lord Shiva appeared & told her to establish a Sahashtra Linga to get her wish full filled. After that Usha established the Shiva Linga. In result of that Lord Shiva granted her wish and she got married with Aniruddha, grandson of Lord Krishna her husband with whom she went on to live her life.
Usually all the holy places of Lord Shiva have large number of devotes coming all the year round but during the holy months of Saawan this increases. It is well connected through Pitch road from the sides of Makhdumpur, Shakurabad-Ghejan, Tekari and Bela Rampur.