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About
About
Legend
Attractions around
Information for tourists
| | About | | Chankaramana or the Jewel Walk is a raised platform with foot impressions of Buddha. It is believed that here the Buddha pondered on whether to reveal his knowledge to the world or not. Inside it is a Tibetan monastery with a large Dharma Chakra or the Wheel of Law.
Chankaramana marks the sacred spot where Buddha meditated during the third week after the pious enlightenment. It is believed that wherever Buddha put his feet lotuses sprang up.
| | | About | | Bihar has some of the most sacred Buddhist and Hindu shrines. Gaya is about 100 kms. south of Patna. Gaya is one of the most important pilgrimage places for the Hindus. It is believed that a Hindu will reach heaven if his last rites are offered under the celebrated ’Akshayabat’ or immortal banyan tree, standing in the yard of Vishnupad temple. Believed to be built on the footsteps of Vishnu, the grand temple was renovated by Ahalyabai, queen of Indore. | | | Legend | | Legend has it that a demon with the name of Gaya had given up his life to protest against the sorrows caused by death. Impressed by his resolve, Vishnu blessed Gaya with the power to absolve sinners. Like Varanasi, and many other riverside towns, Gaya is said to be a 'tirtha' - a crossing across the celestial divide.
Gaya is one of the seven sacred cities of Hinduism and most people only pass through it on their way to Bodh Gaya. However the Buddha stayed in Gaya for some time and preached his third discourse here. A steep hill on the southern edge of the town, now called Brahmayoni, was known in ancient times as Gayasisa.
| | | Attractions around | | Another interesting place in Gaya is Tankitamancha, now a large tank called Sujikund, where the Buddha had his well-known encounter and dialogue with the malevolent spirit Suchiloma.
A wall made of huge blocks of stone surrounds Sujikund and you will notice a few stupas and Buddhist statues near the ghat at the northern end. It is a quiet, rather haunting place and worth a visit. Sujikund is near the Vishnupada Temple.
| | | Information for tourists | | It is a centre for Hindu pilgrims and Vishnu is said to have given Gaya the power to absolve sinners. Pilgrims offer pindas (funeral cakes) at the ghats along the river here, and perform a lengthy circuit of the holy places around Gaya, to free their ancestors from bondage to the earth.
The town is on a slightly raised ground in the valley between the Ramshila and Pretshila Hills. An essential transit point to Bodhgaya, Gaya is a flyblown and densely packed town.
Hindus traditionally come here to honour their parents a year after death by offering 'pind' - a gift of funeral cakes.
Gaya is an important railway junction. There are bus services from all important towns of Bihar.
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