Tourist places in and around Gaya

Tourists Attractions

Gaya is a religious center and it is believed that the principal Hindu God, Vishnu has bestowed upon Gaya the power to absolve the sin of the sinners, who come here for pilgrimage. Pilgrims also come to offer funerary offerings (or pinds) at the ghats along the river and pray for the souls of their ancestors.

The main tourist attraction of Gaya is the Vishnupad temple. This temple was built in the Hindu Shikhar style of architecture and is located on the west bank of Falgu River at the southeastern edge of the town.

There is a small archeological museum in Gaya.

The Brahmajuni hill 1 km southwest of the Vishnupad temple is an important spot. One thousand stone steps lead the travelers to the top of this hill, from where one can have a full view of Gaya.

Places Around Gaya

There are a number of small shrines near Gaya and pilgrims usually visit them to complete the ritual circuit. Thirty-six km north of Gaya are the ancient caves of Barabar, which belong to the 3rd century BC. These caves are famous for their inscriptions dating back to the time of King Ashok, the great Mauryan ruler. The town of Bodhgaya is 13 km south of Gaya. As Gaya is an important place for Hindu pilgrims, Bodhgaya is one the four holiest places of Buddhism, as Lord Gautam Buddha is said to have attained enlightenment here. The historic town of Rajgir is 50 km east of Gaya.