About Holy City of Gaya: Gaya came under British control following the Battle of Buxar in 1764. Initially, it was part of the Behar and Ramgarh districts until 1864.
On October 3, 1865, Gaya was designated as an independent district, which included the sub-divisions of Gaya, Aurangabad, and Nawada. The region, along with the rest of India, achieved independence in 1947. Over time, the districts of Aurangabad and Nawada were separated from Gaya in 1973, and Jehanabad was established as a separate district on August 1, 1986. More recently, in August 2001, Arwal district was formed from Jehanabad district. In May 1981, the Bihar State Government established the Magadh Division, which included the districts of Gaya, Nawada, Aurangabad, and Jehanabad. Currently, the Magadh Division consists of five districts: Gaya, Aurangabad, Nawada, Jehanabad, and Arwal.
In May 1981, the Bihar State Government established the Magadh Division, which included the districts of Gaya, Nawada, Aurangabad, and Jehanabad. Currently, the Magadh Division consists of five districts: Gaya, Aurangabad, Nawada, Jehanabad, and Arwal.
General Overview of Gaya District
Gaya is a district that has its main office in the city of Gaya. Hindi is the main language spoken here. The district spans an area of 4,976 square kilometers, with 4,890.74 square kilometers being rural and 85.26 square kilometers classified as urban. According to the 2011 Census, Gaya’s population stands at 43.91 lakhs, with 38,09,817 living in rural areas and 5,81,601 in urban settings. On the political side, Gaya district is split into 10 assembly constituencies and has one Lok Sabha constituency, which is designated for Scheduled Castes (SC).
Places of Interest In Gaya
Location and Geography: Gaya is a lively city situated about 100 kilometers from Patna, Bihar. It lies along the banks of the Falgu River and is surrounded by the beautiful Mangala-Gauri, Shringa-Sthan, Ram-Shila, and Brahmayoni hills. This area, which was once part of the ancient Magadh Empire, is rich in history and culture.
Historical and Religious Significance:Gaya is a bustling city located roughly 100 kilometers away from Patna, Bihar. It sits by the Falgu River and is encircled by the stunning Mangala-Gauri, Shringa-Sthan, Ram-Shila, and Brahmayoni hills. This region, which was a key part of the ancient Magadh Empire, boasts a deep historical and cultural heritage.
Key Religious Sites in Gaya
Vishnupad Temple
- Location: Positioned on the serene banks of the Falgu River.
- Significance: The temple is renowned for housing the footprint of Lord Vishnu, which was renovated by Queen Ahilyabai in the 18th century.
- Mythology: According to legend, this is the spot where Lord Vishnu vanquished the demon Gayasur.
- Buddhist Connection: Some traditions believe that the footprints might actually belong to Lord Buddha.
Mangla Gauri Temple
- Dedication: This temple is dedicated to Goddess Mangla Gauri, who is revered as the first wife of Lord Shiva.
- Symbolism: It features two rounded stones, representing the sacred breasts of Sati, which are highly venerated by Hindus.
Akshayavat (Sacred Peepal Tree)
- Location: Also situated along the Falgu River.
- Importance: This ancient peepal tree is worshiped for its divine significance, holding a special place in Hindu spirituality.
Bodhgaya: The Buddhist Pilgrimage Center
Bodhgaya is the most crucial Buddhist pilgrimage site, where Gautama Buddha attained enlightenment under the Bodhi Tree. It is renowned for its historical and spiritual legacy.
- Mahabodhi Temple: A UNESCO World Heritage Site, this temple dates back to the Gupta era and is celebrated for its architectural splendor.
- Other Sites: The area includes significant sites such as Animesh Lochan Chaitya, Bodhi Tree, Chankramana, Ratnagarh, and more.
Mahabodhi Temple
- Architecture: The temple showcases a blend of various cultural influences, featuring a towering 170-foot pyramid structure.
- Main Sanctum: The sanctum houses a monumental image of Buddha in a seated position.
80 ft Buddha Statue
- Location: Adjacent to the Mahabodhi Temple.
- Significance: Unveiled in 1989, this is the first grand Buddha statue in modern India, symbolizing the region’s deep spiritual heritage.
Dungeshwari Temple (Mahakala Caves)
- Location: 12 kilometers northeast of Bodhgaya.
- History: This site is where Buddha is believed to have meditated for six years before achieving enlightenment.
- Features: The caves are adorned with shrines for both Buddhists and Hindus and are famed for the golden emaciated Buddha sculpture.
Other Notable Sites
Thai Monastery
- Style: Features ornate Thai architecture and is beautifully reflected in a tranquil pool.
- Location: Situated near the Mahabodhi Temple.
Sujata Garh / Sujata Village
- Legend: It is believed that Gautama Siddhartha was offered rice pudding by Sujata at this site before attaining enlightenment.
Baba Koteshwarnath Temple
- Location: Village Main, Gaya.
- Dedication: Dedicated to Lord Shiva, this temple is believed to have been established around the 8th century AD.
- Significance: It is renowned for its sacred Shivalinga, which includes 1,008 miniature Shivlingas.
How to Reach Gaya
By Rail: Gaya has its own railway station, and all major trains stop there. Patna is another nearby station where you can catch trains to various destinations across India. Patna is connected to all major cities, including the metros like New Delhi, Kolkata, Mumbai, and Chennai. The Mahabodhi Express is a special daily train that runs non-stop from Delhi to Gaya, taking just 16 hours to reach.
By Air: Air India runs daily flights on the Delhi-Gaya-Varanasi route, and there are bi-weekly flights from Kolkata to Gaya and Bangkok, as well as Kolkata to Gaya and Yangon. Druk Airlines from Bhutan also offers bi-weekly flights from Paro to Gaya and Bangkok. With plans to expand the existing runway, we can expect more domestic and international flights in the future. However, Patna Airport is already well-connected to all major domestic airports.
By Road: GT Road links Gaya to major cities in northern India. You can easily travel to Gaya from Ranchi, Jamshedpur, Raurkela, Hazaribagh, Kolkata, and Varanasi. Gaya is also easily accessible by road via National Highways. The Grand Trunk Road (NH-2) passes through Gaya at Dobhi, which is 30 km south, linking the Delhi and Kolkata Expressway. The state capital, Patna, is just 120 km away and is well-connected by both road (NH-83) and train services.
