Gaya is believed to be blessed with power to absolve all sins, by Lord Vishnu. The believers from many places gather here during monsoon in September - October for the 'Pitrapaksh Tarpan' (Prayers offered for the dead). The pilgrims take a dip in the seasonal holy river 'Phalgu' during this season. Thousands of Hindu devotees have gathered in Gaya for a two-week Pitripaksha Mela that, according to the Hindu customs, seeks to liberate the wandering souls to a more heavenly state of nirvana. It is believed that this place has been blessed by Lord Vishnu with purificatory powers. Hindus traditionally come here to honour their parents a year after death by offering 'pind' - a gift of funeral cakes.The annual ritual i.e. pind dan which not only attracts visitors from all over the country, devotees from several other countries also participate in the massive get together who perform the final rites of their departed family members to ensure a place in heaven.
Book your trip for PindDaan at Gaya
Location: The holy town of Gaya, located 100 kms south of Patna
(Capital city of Bihar)

How To Reach:
By Air : Airport at Gaya and Patna
By Rail: Gaya is well connected with all major cities of India.

Where to Stay : Hotels upto 3 Star Category
Book your trip for PindDaan at Gaya
Places of Rituals during Pind Dan

Vishnupad Temple:
This massive temple located in the central part of the old town is believed to have been built over the footprints of Lord Vishnu. Inside the temple, the 40 cm long `footprint' of Vishnu is imprinted in solid rock and surrounded by a silver plated basin. This Shikhara style temple was constructed in 1787, by Queen Ahilya Bai of Indore, on the banks of the river Falgu. Non-Hindus are not allowed to enter the temple.A flight of 1000 stone steps leads to the top of the Brahmajuni Hill, 1 km south-west of the Vishnupad Temple that affords a splendid view of the temple.

This is the immortal Banyan tree that stands in the courtyard of the temple. This is the tree under Buddha is said to have meditated. Also, the final rites for the dead are held beneath it.

Pret Shila Hill:
This hill is about 10 kms from the Ramshila hill and just below the hill is the Brahma Kund. After taking bath in this pond people go for the 'Pind Dan' (involving performance of some religious rites and rituals. This is done for peace of the departed soul of the ancestor.) On the top of the hill is built the Ahilya Bai temple, built by the Queen of Indore, Ahilya Bai in 1787. This temple has always been an attraction for the tourists due to its unique architecture and magnificent.

Worth Seeing Places

Bodh Gaya:
Bodhgaya "situated 12 km south of Gaya, beside the river Niranjana", is of extreme religious important for Buddhist. Here Lord Buddha under Banyan tree attained enlightenment and it is beleived that original tree is still exist there. It is important of all the Buddhist sites in the word and Mahabodhi temple is one of the important places of worship for the Buddhist. It is a Buddhist establishment with numerous temples, Stupas and Monastrich. King Ashoka discovered a large number of shines and memorial and some are discovered by Mauryans like Bajjrasana or the Sandstone throne. Here some portion.

belongs to Sunga and remaining to the Gupta period. The Mahabodhi temple, the main brick built shrine originally erected in circa second century AD. It is about 55 meter high and a pyramid of seven stories which is of pilasters and chaitya-niches.

Barabar Cave: 41 km from Gaya, Barabar Cave is an important archaeological site. The cave carved out solid rocks bear details of the life of Buddha.

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