AI overview
Gaya is a sacred city in the state of Bihar, India, that holds deep religious significance for Hindus and Buddhists who visit to perform rituals and pay respects to their ancestors. It matters because it is one of India's most important pilgrimage sites, particularly known as a place where people believe they can help the souls of deceased relatives through spiritual practices.
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Place details
- Region
- Bihar
- Country
- India
- Population
- 474,093
- Timezone
- Asia/Kolkata
via · GeoNames
Article
Gaya (IAST: Gayā) is a city, municipal corporation and the administrative headquarters of Gaya district and Magadh division of the Indian state of Bihar. Gaya is 116 kilometres (72 mi) south of Patna and is the state's second-largest city, with a population of 470,839. The city is surrounded on three sides by small, rocky hills (Mangla-Gauri, Shringa-Sthan, Ram-Shila, and Brahmayoni), with the Phalgu River on its eastern side.
It is a city of historical significance and is one of the major tourist attractions. Gaya is sanctified in the Jain, Hindu, and Buddhist religions. Gaya district is mentioned in the great epics, the Ramayana and the Mahabharata. It is the place where Rama, with Sita and Lakshmana, came to offer piṇḍadāna for their father, Dasharatha, and continues to be a major Hindu pilgrimage site for the piṇḍadāna ritual. Bodh Gaya, where Buddha is said to have attained enlightenment, is one of the four holy sites of Buddhism.