Vishnupada Temple
Vishnupada Temple is marked by a footprint of Vishnu. This footprint is the significance of the act of Lord Vishnu crushing Gayasur under his foot. The temple that stands today was rebuilt by Devi Ahilya Bai Holkar in the 18th century. As per the Buddhist tradition and culture, this footstep mark is regarded that of Lord Buddha who is said to be the avatar of Vishnu.
The temples and the Ghats that are present by the River Falgu are also of great spiritual significance. Some trees are also held sacred by the Hindus and in Gaya one would find Pipal trees, Akshayavat and the undying Banyan which are also offered prayers and offerings in huge numbers by the pilgrims coming into the city.
Gaya is held as an important spiritual center by Hindus as a site which offers salvation to the souls. Buddhists hold Gaya as an important pilgrimage center because of the presence of the Brahmayoni or the Gayasia hill where Buddha preached the Fire Sermon or the Adittapariyaya Sutta..
History of Gaya:-
Ancient history: Documented history of Gaya dates back to the birth of Gautam Buddha. About 15 km from Gaya town is Bodh Gaya, the place where Gautam Buddha got enlightenment. Since then the places around Gaya (Rajgir, Nalanda, Vaishali, Patliputra) had been the citadel of knowledge for the ancient world. These centers of knowledge further flourished under the rule of dynasties like the Mauryans who ruled from Patliputra (modern Patna) and covered the area beyond the boundaries of the Indian subcontinent. During this period, Gaya was a part of the Magadh region.
Medieval history:-
In the 14th-15th century Gaya was frequently attacked by foreign Muslim invaders including other Hindu holy and sacred places. The Hindu rajputs from rajasthan moved towards north-east to defend Banaras and Gaya, the expedition of Maharana Lakha being the most important. Maharana Lakha, was the forty-fifth ruler of the Mewar Dynasty (r. 1382-1421); succeeded his father, Maharana Kshetra Singh; ruled for thirty-nine years from Chittor. He was a brave and gallant fighter throughout his life and led his life defending Gaya. The remaining army settled in parts of city of Magadha Kingdom. After the attack of the Muslim rulers these centers were severely damaged and along with them the historical city of Gaya lost its glory. But, in the medieval era under the rule of the great Sher Shah Suri (an Afghan ruler based in the Sasaram district of modern Bihar), Gaya got connected with the rest of India by the famous Grand Trunk road (passing through Sherghati) built by the ruler.
Modern history:-
In modern Indian history, Gaya played an important role in the freedom movement. Though Gaya may not have produced many great leaders during that era, the common people from Gaya participated in the freedom struggle. Many national level conferences were organized in Gaya during that period. In 1922, the national level meeting of Indian National Congress was held in Gaya. It was in this session that Chittaranjan Das, the President of the Gaya session of Indian National Congress, remarked, trial "At the moment Rajendra Prasad appears to be the sole excuse for a further honest trial of Gandhism to solve a political problem". Also, one of the famous 'Seven Martyrs', the seven young men who sacrificed their lives in the Quit India movement of August 1942, was from Gaya.
Several freedom fighters were lodged in Gaya Central Jail. One of them was the nephew of Yogendra Shukla, Baikunth Shukla who was convicted and hanged in Gaya Central Jail on May 14th, 1934 at a young age of 28 years.
Importance to Hindu Mythology:-
Gaya derives its name from the mythological demon Gayasur (which literally means Gaya the holy demon), demon (asur, a Sanskrit word) and Gaya. Over its history dating millennia, the word asur got deleted and the name Gaya remained in currency. Lord Vishnu killed Gayasur, the holy demon by using the pressure of his foot over him. This incident transformed Gayasur into the series of rocky hills that make up the landscape of the Gaya city. Gaya was so holy that he had the power to absolve the sins of those who touched him or looked at him; after his death many people have flocked to Gaya to perform shraddha sacrifices on his body to absolve the sins of their ancestors. Gods and goddesses had promised to live on Gayasur's body after he died, and the hilltop protuberances of Gaya are surmounted by temples to various gods and goddesses. These hilltop temples at Rama Shila, Mangla Gauri, Shringa Sthan and Brahmayoni are part of the pilgrimage circuit, and grand staircases have been built up to most of them.
Legend related to Gaya Mahatmya:-
(Significance of ancestral rites at Gaya)In olden times there lived a sage by name Dhaibhya who once went to GayaKshetraand performed sacred rites (Pinda Pradhana) to his forefathers with utmostdevotion and after that started doing penance at this place. One day while he wasdoing penance a cosmic plane appeared before him and a divine person got downfrom it and asked him why was he doing this penance? Then the sage Dhaibhyainreply asked the cosmic person to disclose his details.The cosmic person told the sage that he was the Brahma Manasa Puthra and brotherof Rudra called Sanathkumara who lives in one of the urdhva lokas (Jano loka). Hefurther said, O’ Sage “you have performed Pinda Pradhana at Gaya Kshetra with theresult the entire Brahma Vamsa got the benefit and I have come here to bless you andshow my affinity towards you.” On further questioning by sage as to how his actionhad benefited, Sanathkumara started narrating an incident related to GayaMahatmya.In olden timesthere lived a king called Vishala who was a highly spiritual andreligious minded person ruling his kingdom in Dharma Marga. His only shortfall was lack of children. On being advised by his purohits the king went to GayaKshetraand performed sacred rites to his forefathers (Pinda Dana, Thila Tharpana). While doing so there appeared three persons in the sky who were in three differentcolours (white, red and black) and they started glaring at the King with love andaffection.On being asked the white coloured person started telling that,“he was his father, thered coloured person was his grand father who had committed lot of sins while hewas alive and the black coloured person was his great grand father who also hadcommitted similar worst sins during his life time. Due to this they were suffering inthe hell. Because of good deeds done, I have (white coloured person) acquired theheavenly status.” Now, due to your visit to the Gaya Kshetra and performing sacredrites (Pinda daana) your grand father and great grand father have been released fromthe hell and have joined me in the heaven. Thus you are responsible for theliberation of your forefathers from the hell by performing Pinda Pradhana andTharpana at Gaya Kshetra. Now we are happily going to Pitru Loka and have comehere to see you and bless you.After this incident the king Vishala returned to his kingdom and soon was blessedwith a son. Hence, this place (Gaya) has acquired lot of significance and Lord MahaVishnu holding macein his hand is residing here. Thus spoke Sanathkumara to thesage Dhaibhya and disappeared.
Legend of Vishnupada Mandir :-
According to a legend once a demon practised penance and was blessed with a boon by Lord Vishnu that one who perceives him will achieve moksha. People thus, easily achieved salvation by seeing him. To resist this Lord Vishnu advised Gayasura to descend underneath the earth and placed his right food on the demon's head. One can thus, see the footprints of the Lord on the rock having nine different symbols. When the demon requested for food the lord blessed him that he would be served food everyday by some devotee.
The upper portion of the Vishnupada Mandir is adorned with a gold flag and a couple of gold made kalash. According to a story once two thieves attempted to steal the gold kalasha and the flag by climbing atop the temple. However, it is said that one of them turned into stone and the other too became a stone after falling down from the top. The stone images of the thieves have been preserved by the temple.
Temple Deity:-
The footprint of Lord Vishnu known as Dharmasila is 40 cm long surrounded by a silver plated basin and imprinted in solid rock. There is a silver umbrella over it. The temple is built of large gray granite blocks joined with iron clamps and is at a height of 30 mts with its pyramid shaped tower at a height of about 100 feet. The sides of the tower are sloping with plain and intended sections alternating with each other to create a series of peaks joined at the top. The pavilion is supported by 8 rows of beautifully carved pillars. The traditional priests of the temple are the Bhumihar Brahmins known as the Gayawar Pandas. A peepal tree called Akshayavat on the bank of the Falgu River is considered very sacred and worshipped by the pilgrims who offer final rites for the departed soul here. To the South West of the temple is the Brahmajuni hill with a flight of 1000 stone steps leading to the top which offers a magnificent view of the temple.
History of Vishnupada Temple :-
The construction date of the temple is unknown and it is believed that Rama along with Sita had visited this place. The present day structure was rebuilt by Devi Ahilya Bai Holkar, the ruler of Indore, in 1787, on the banks of the Falgu river. A flight of 1000 stone steps leads to the top of the Brahmajuni hill, 1 km south-west of the Vishnupad mandir. Visitors prefer to go to the top of Brahmajuni hill see the magnificent view of the temple from the top. There are many small temples near this temple. Once a demon known as Gayasura did a heavy penance and sought a boon that whoever see him should attain salvation Moksham. Since salvation is achieved through being righteous in one's lifetime, people started obtaining it easily. To prevent immoral people from attaining salvation Lord Vishnu asked Gayasura to go beneath the earth and did so by placing his right foot on asura's head. After pushing Gayasura below the surface of the earth, Lord Vishnu's footprint remained on the surface that we see even today.
The footprint consists of nine different symbols including Shankam, Chakram and Gadham. These are believed to be weapons of the lord. Gayasura now pushed into earth pleaded for food. Lord Vishnu gave him a boon that every day, someone will offer him food. Whoever does so, their souls will reach heaven. The day Gayasura doesn't get food, it is believed that he will come out. Every day, one or the other from different parts of India will pray for the welfare of his departed and offer food, feeding Gayasura. On top of the temple is a gold flag weighing approx 51kg. Inside the temple is a silver coated hexagon railing also known as .
Visitor Information:-
•Footwear is not allowed inside the temple.
• Wear decent clothes and avoid wearing dresses that are too revealing.
• Taking pictures inside the temple is not allowed, though you can take pictures in the premises.
• Keep the temple premises clean and do not litter.
• During the time of the festivals, the temple can get too crowded so plan your trip accordingly.
• Wait for your chance for darshan and mind the queue.
• Deposit your offerings in Hundi only.
• Don’t consume liquor or other intoxicants.
• Respect ancient customs and usages while at Temple and promote religious sentiments among co-pilgrims.
• Beggary shouldn’t be encouraged by pilgrims as well as tourists.
Vishnupad Mandir Gaya Timings:-
•Vishnupad Mandir Gaya is opened every day. The darshan timing begins from 6:30 am to 7:30 pm.
•Vishnupad Mandir Gaya is also opened on Saturday and Sunday from 6:30 am to 7:30 pm.
•Vishnupad Mandir Gaya does not remains close on public holiday. Even on public holiday the timing for darshan is from 6:30 am to 7:30 pm.
Devotees, who are willing to take the panoramic view of the Vishnupad Temple have to cross 1000 stone steps to reach the top of Brahmajuni hill, located 1 km southwest of the temple.
Darsan Dresscode:-
Devotees are expected to wear conservative and modest clothing while visiting Visnhupad Temple.
Culture:-
Over the ages, Bihar has been the center of attraction regarding its involvement since the days of Ramanayana and the Mahabharata. The capital of the mighty Mauryan Empire was also at Pataliputra- which lies in the present day Bihar. Even today, many important relics of Emperor Chandra Gupta Maurya, Bindusara and the mightiest of them all Emperor Ashoka are found.
Moreover, Bihar proudly houses the centers of learning like the famous Nalanda University and the prestigious Vikramshila University during the ancient times.
The state boasts on its flagship religious culture, the enriched heritage that grew up associating different popular shrines in Bihar. Alongside, Bihar's culture extends to the vibrant Madhubani art and Manjusha art.
Language Spoken:-
Maithili, Bhojpuri, English, Hindi, Bengali
Best Time to Visit:-
November to February is the best time to pay a visit to Vishnupad Mandir. The temperature is really nice during this period and you will be able to enjoy your trip to the fullest.
Location of vishnupad temple:-
The temple is located besides the falgu river at chand chaura at a distance of 3.5 Kms from Gaya and 110 Kms from Bihar capital patna. Buddhists most sacred place bodhgaya which is famous for bodhi tree and mahabodhi temple is located at a distance of 15 Km.
How to Reach Gaya:-
Gaya is well connected to the rest of India and the world by roadways, railways and airways.
By Air:-
The city has the only operating international airport in Bihar and Jharkhand. It has domestic operations for Kolkata, New Delhi and Varanasi, while international flights are for Bangkok, Yangon and Colombo.
By Rail:-
The nearest railway station is Gaya Jn. (5 km).
By Road:-
Bodhgaya is well connected by road to Gaya (17 km), Nalanda (101 km), Rajgir (78 km), Patna (135 km), Varanasi (252 km), Calcutta (495 km)
Local Transport: City Bus, Taxis, Tongas, Auto Rickshaws, Cycle Rickshaws are available.
By Bus:-
Regular direct bus services are available from Gaya to Patna, Nalanda, Rajgir, Varanasi,Ranchi,Tata(Jamshedpur),Kolkata,Dhanbad. Bihar State Tourism Development Corporation and Bihar State Road Transport Corporation run buses to Patna, Ranchi, Jamshedpur and other major cities.
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