| Gaya is one of the famous holy cities of Hindus as | | | | also located next to the temple. It was constructed |
| well as Buddhists in India. Gaya is situated at a | | | | about 250 years after Lord Buddha attained |
| distance of about 100 km from Patna, the capital city | | | | enlightenment and attracts a large number of |
| of Bihar, on the banks of Falgu river. The city derived | | | | devotees on tour to Gaya. |
| its name from the demon Gayasur. According to the | | | | Archaeological Museum |
| legend, Gayasur was killed by Lord Vishnu by pressing | | | | Archaeological museum was established in 1952. It |
| his foot over his body, which resulted in the | | | | houses around 3000 antiquities and is located inside |
| formation of some rocky hills which surrounds Gaya. | | | | Gaya District Board campus. Ancient manuscripts, |
| There are a number of Ghats on the banks of Falgu | | | | photographs, sculptures and arms of Gupta and |
| river which are believed to be holy. It is believed by | | | | Mauryan period can be seen in this Archaeological |
| the Hindus that their visit to Gaya will result in | | | | museum of Gaya by travellers on their tour to Gaya. |
| salvation of the souls of their ancestors. There is a | | | | Vishnupad Temple |
| holy ritual, which is performed in Gaya by Hindus, | | | | Vishnupad Temple is located on the banks of Falgu |
| which is known as 'Pinda Dan'. This is also one of the | | | | river. It is believed that the temple has been built on |
| main reasons of Hindu visitors for planning a trip to | | | | the footprints of Lord Vishnu and that is why it has |
| Gaya. | | | | been named Vishnupad. A 40 cm long foot print of |
| Gaya city is equally important for Buddhists as well. | | | | Lord Vishnu can be seen inside the temple imprinted |
| Gautam Buddha got enlightenment at Bodh Gaya, | | | | on rock surrounded by silver plated basin. The temple |
| which is located at a distance of 15 km from Gaya | | | | was constructed by Queen Ahilya Bai in 1787 and is a |
| city. After this incident, places near to Gaya have | | | | must visit for those travelling Gaya. |
| remained the citadel and hub of knowledge like | | | | Excursion from Gaya |
| Nalanda, Vaishali, Rajgir and Patliputra. In the ancient | | | | There are many places of attraction around Gaya for |
| period Gaya had remained a part of the Magadh | | | | the visitors on Gaya tour. Some of the main |
| region. | | | | attractions include Nagarjuni Museum, Brahmayoni Hill |
| Places of Attraction in and around Gaya | | | | or Gayasirsa, Barabar Caves and Bodhgaya. |
| Akshayabat | | | | How to reach Gaya |
| Akshayabat is the Banyan tree under which Gautam | | | | Air : Patna is the nearest airport for the visitors |
| Buddha did meditation in the search of eternal truth. | | | | planning a tour to Gaya. It is at a distance of 125 km |
| It is situated inside the Mahabodhi temple at Bodh | | | | from Gaya. One can catch regular luxury and ordinary |
| Gaya, which is at a distance of 12 km from the Gaya | | | | buses from Patna for Gaya. |
| city. It is one of the major attraction points for the | | | | Rail :Gaya railway station is connected by trains from |
| visitors on Gaya tour. | | | | major cities like Delhi, Kolkatta, Varnasi, Patna and |
| Mahabodhi Temple | | | | Puri. |
| Emperor Ashoka is believed to be the founder of | | | | Road :State bus services and buses by private |
| Mahabodhi temple. It is a Buddhist temple and literally | | | | operators ply from time to time to several |
| means 'Great Awakening Temple'. Holy Bodhi tree, | | | | destinationsin the neighbouring states. |
| under which Gautam Buddha got enlightenment, is | | | | |