GayaOne of the most important cities inIndia, Gaya is also known as theland of Vishnu and Buddhism. Itserves as the second largest city ofBihar after Patna and brings a lot oftourism to the state.

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Famous For : City

Gaya is of great religious importance toHindus and Buddhists and is home tonumerous ancient temples andarchaeological sites. An amalgamation ofage-old cultures and modern lifestyle, thiscity is a must-visit for all the travellers. Fromthree sides it is surrounded by small rockyhills and on the fourth side there is abeautiful river flowing. Age-old buildingssurrounded by lush greenery offers a sightto behold.

It is situated on the banks of Falgu river andis one of the most sacred religious site notonly for Hindus but for Buddhists and Jainsalike. This place holds immense importancein the Hindu epic, Ramayana and is alsoknown as the place where Gautam Buddhapreached his Fire Sermon. Gaya is just 11kms from Bodh Gaya, the place whereGautam Buddha attained enlightenment.Among the most prominent attractions ofthe region are counted the Narmada MataTemple, Vishnupad Temple, Mangla GauriTemple, Phalgu River Ghats, Pretshila Hills

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and Nagkut Mountain. Brahmayoni offers asensational view of the plains. Shopaholicsmust visit the famous G B Road and

Reaching Gaya is easy as it is well-connectedto other regions through rail, road and air.Bodhgaya is the nearest airport from wherea large number of international flights forThailand, Japan and Myanmar ply on a dailybasis. You can also travel to Patna, which isaround 125 km from Gaya and has directtrains for Kolkata, Delhi and Mumbai. 

When To

VISIThttp://www.ixigo.com/weather-in-gaya-lp-1137306

JanCold weather. Carry Heavy woollen.Max: 17.0°C Min:

8.800000190734863°C

Rain: 20.0mm

FebCold weather. Carry Heavy woollen.Max: 20.0°C Min:

10.600000381469727°C

Rain: 20.0mm

MarCold weather. Carry Heavy woollen.Max: 25.5°C Min:

14.699999809265137°C

Rain: 13.0mm

AprPleasant weather. Carry Light woollen.

Max: 31.0°C Min:19.200000762939453°C

Rain: 8.0mm

MayPleasant weather. Carry Light woollen.Max: 34.0°C Min:

22.600000381469727°C

Rain: 20.0mm

JunPleasant weather. Carry Light woollen,umbrella.Max: 33.0°C Min:

21.899999618530273°C

Rain: 137.0mm

JulPleasant weather. Carry Light woollen,umbrella.Max: 29.5°C Min:

21.100000381469727°C

Rain: 315.0mm

AugPleasant weather. Carry Light woollen,umbrella.Max: 29.0°C Min: 22.5°C Rain: 328.0mm

SepPleasant weather. Carry Light woollen,umbrella.Max: 29.0°C Min:

20.700000762939453°C

Rain: 206.0mm

OctPleasant weather. Carry Light woollen,umbrella.Max: 27.0°C Min:

17.799999237060547°C

Rain: 53.0mm

NovCold weather. Carry Heavy woollen.Max: 21.5°C Min:

13.199999809265137°C

Rain: 10.0mm

Dec

Gaya Travel Guide - http://www.ixigo.com/travel-guide/gaya page 2

Cold weather. Carry Heavy woollen.Max: 17.5°C Min:

9.100000381469727°C

Rain: 3.0mm

What To

SEE5 Sights

http://www.ixigo.com/places-to-visit-see-in-gaya-lp-1137306

1 Narmada Mata Temple

Dandia Bazaar, Bharuch,Gujrat392012,India

2 Vishnupad temple

Gaya District, Bihar, India

The main focus in this mammoth templecomplex, which is home to 14 temples, isthe 30-m high temple of Vishnupad, to theright of the entrance. The temple has eightrows of beautifully carved pillars, whichsupport a mandapa (pavilion). In thesanctum is the footprint of Vishnu, Gaya’spatron deity, 40-cm long and carved inbasalt, placed in an octagonal enclosure.The walls are engraved with the VishnuSahasranam (1,000 glorious names of LordVishnu). Above the Vishnupad is a silverumbrella (the chat khappar), engraved withthe different avatars of Vishnu. Atop thestructure is a 50-kilo gold flag, donated by adevotee, Gayapal Panda Bal Govind Sen.

To the right of the entrance is a temple toGaruda, Vishnu’s vahan. The main bronzebell in the compound was presented byRanjit Pandey, minister of theerstwhile King Rana of Nepal. Another bellthat hangs at the entrance was gifted by aBritish officer named Gillander, in January1790. Also within the complex are templesto Shiva, Panchamukhi (fiveheaded)Hanuman, the 16 vedis (different rishis),Sakshi Gopal, Krishna Dwaraka, Indra, ashrine to Maharani Ahilyabai Holkar, and theAdi Gadadhar Mandir, from where onedescends to the Phalgu River. The temple isalmost always filled with many youngcouples sitting with priests, performingrituals for the well-being of their ancestors.

Before the actual prayer, haggling withpandas is inevitable. Though the crowds areconstant, the temple management makesan effort to keep the area clean byconstantly having the compound washedand cleaned.

3 Mangla Gauri Temple

Gaya District, Bihar, India

The Mangala Gauri Temple is dedicated toMa Mangala Gauri, a benevolent incarnationof Shakti. The present temple was built inthe 15th century and has been mentioned inthe Puranas and some ancient Tantric texts.It is believed that during Shiva’sTandav after Sati’s self immolation, herbreasts fell in this place.

The temples stands atop the Mangalagauri

Hill. The inner sanctum houses the goddessand contains some ancient carvings andrelief sculptures on the walls. Several othershrines are dedicated to Lord Shiva, LordGanesha, Goddess Durga and Goddess Kali.

4 Phalgu River Ghats

Phalgu River, Gaya District, Bihar,India

The Puranas explain that the name Phalgu isa combination of phala (merit) and gau(wishgiving cow), the etymology implyingthat the river manifests the highest pietyand merit, with a particularly special statusas a site for performing ancestral rites.

Two streams, Lilajan and Mohana,originating from Korambe Pahar, a 767-mhigh hill about 75 km south of Gaya, meetabout 5 km south of Gaya, and the resultingriver is named Phalgu. Lilajan is also the oldname of Niranjana, a river in which theBuddha bathed and finally released hisbegging bowl. Continuing to flow

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approximately 82 km north of Gaya, thePhalgu turns and finally meets the Ganga.However, throughout the greater part of theyear the Phalgu River remains dry but watercontinues to be present under the sand(antashalila) and if you scoop the sand withyour hands, you can immediately touchclear water. The river runs full during themonsoon (Aug-Sep).

Currently, 11 ghats along the west bank ofthe Phalgu River are used for rituals,bathing, and ancestral rites. The Shamshan(cremation) Ghat is the southernmost and isused only for cremations. The area betweenGadadhar and Sangat ghats is mostintensively used for various types of rituals,ablutions and festivities. On the east bank,facing Vishnupad, is the Sita Kund, markedby a cluster of small shrines. At Sita Kund,you can see a tiny image of Sita withina small basin, and a stone image of a handholding a ball, which symbolises the righthand of Rama’s father Dasharath, whostretched his hand out from the other worldto receive the pinda offered by Sita. AShivaling and an idol of Rama areworshipped here with offerings of pindas.The stairway to this bank, known as theRamgaya Ghat, is used for religiouspurposes associated with this cluster.

5 Pretshila Hill

8 Km North-West of Gaya, Gaya,Bihar 823001, India

Pretshila is a sacred place for Hindus where'Pindas' are been offered to the ancestorsby many devotees. On the summit of the hillis a temple of the Pretaraja or God Yama ofHindu mythology.This ‘rock of ghosts’ couldhave been a site of spirit worship that wastransformed over time into a site forancestral worship. Later, the two shrines ofPretabhairavi (the goddess of ghosts) andVishnu were added.

Where To

Eat5 Places

http://www.ixigo.com/foods-in-of-gaya-lp-1137306

1 Khushi Family Restaurant

Khushi Family Restaurant, AnandBazaar, Raikashinath

More,Swarajpuri Road, Gaya – 823001, Bihar

+91-631-2220038

A centrally located restaurant in Gaya, Biharwith a multi cuisine variety on its menu,Khushi Family Restaurant stands as one ofthe most popular restaurants in the city. Youcan have all sorts of Indian, Chinese andcontinental food here, served by a pleasantstaff.

2 Om Restaurant

Bodhgaya Road, Bodh Gaya, Bihar

This little restaurant in Gaya serves you withvery nice food at a quite cheap price. Omrestaurant offers you with a variety of Indianand Chinese dishes on its menu.

3 Be Happy Cafe

Be Happy Cafe, Bodhgaya, Bihar

Rs. 100

+91-87971-18390

Be Happy Cafe is where you can sip coffee,have a chit-chat with your friends and surfInternet. The cafe is fully air conditionedwith wi-fi connectivity. Be Happy Cafe servesyou with pizzas, cakes and sandwiches etc ata decent price. A must visit for casualmeetings.

4 Sukiyaki Restaurant

NH 22, Gaya, Bihar, India

5 Hotel Buddha & Restaurant

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194, Laxman Sahay Lane, OppositeGaya Railway Station Road, Gaya,Bihar-823002

0631-2220431

Hotel Buddha is the best Restaurant inGaya, also known as a Yuvraj restaurant. It isnearest to Railway Station, Gaya. You canaccess Banks and other important Placeseasily.

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Quick

LOCATEhttp://www.ixigo.com/hotels-in-gaya-lp-1137306

SeeA: Narmada Mata TempleB: Vishnupad templeC: Mangla Gauri TempleD: Phalgu River GhatsE: Pretshila Hill

AccommodationF: Sangh Shree Guest HouseG: Sukhdeo PalaceH: Royal Guest House (hotel)I: Sangh Shree Guest HouseJ: Sukhdeo PalaceK: Royal Guest House (hotel)L: Sangh Shree Guest HouseM: Sukhdeo PalaceN: Royal Guest House (hotel)

FoodO: Khushi Family RestaurantP: Om RestaurantQ: Be Happy CafeR: Sukiyaki RestaurantS: Hotel Buddha & Restaurant