The second largest city of Bihar, India, Gaya is a major pilgrimage area among Hindus and Buddhists. This historic city is situated on the banks of the sacred Falgu River and is surrounded by small rocky hills.
Located near the city is Bodh Gaya, one of the holiest places in the world. It was here where Gautama Buddha was said to have attained Enlightenment. The Mahabodhi Temple, which literally means ’Great Awakening Temple’, can be found here.
For the Hindus, Gaya is important because it was here that Lord Vishnu killed Gayasur, the holy demon. Thousands of Hindu pilgrims flock to Gaya as a pilgrimage and to perform funeral offerings for deceased relatives.
Other places of interest in Gaya are the Vishnupad Temple, which bears an imprint of Vishnu’s footprint; Jama Masjid, Bihar’s largest mosque; and other temples. Gaya is well-connected to the rest of India with its road and rail networks. It also has an international airport that links it to different Asian countries.