Culture & Heritage

Gaya Pilgrimage

Falgu River –

Flowing on the east side of Gaya, the Falgu River carries water only during the monsoon season. At other time the river bed is externally dry. However if you scratch some mud you will find water. Being cursed by Sita Devi, this river runs as under water river below the bed.

Sita Kund –

On the opposite side of the Vishnu pad temple, Sita Kund is situated on the other banks of the Falgu River. There is a small temple depicting the spot where Sita Devi performed pinda dana for her father-in-law.

Akshya Vat –

The famous Akshya vat is located in the nearby area of Vishnu pad temple. The Akshya Vat was blessed by sita devi to become immortal & never shred its leaves in any season.

Manglagauri –

Located on a small hill on the south side of Gaya, is one of famous Sati (Gouri) temple. The temple is situated in the nearby area of Akshya Vat. As mentioned in puranas, Lord Shiva was performing dance of dissolution maddened at the death of his wife sati. To stop this, Lord Vishnu had to cut the body of sati in to many pieces by his chakra to check Lord Shiva’s further Anger. As the pieces were cut, they fell at different locations and each of this location being turned in to a Shakti Peeth (Holyplace of worship of Gauri).

Ramshila Hill –

Ramshila Hill situated on the south-east side of Gaya is considered to be the most sacred place as it is believed that Lord Rama had offered ‘pinda’ on the hill. The name of the hill is associated with Lord Rama. A number of stone sculptures belonging to the ancient period can be sill notices on and around the hill which suggest the existence of some earlier structures or temples since very early time. The Temple situated on the top of the hill called as Ramesvara or Patalesvara temple was originally built in 1014 A.D. but has gone through many restoration and repairs in succeeding period. In front of the temple “pindas” are offered by the Hindu devotees during Pitrapaksh for their ancestors.

Pretshila Hill –

Pretshila hill is about 10 kms from the Ramshila hill. Just below the hill the Brahma Kund is situated. After taking bath in this pond people go for the ‘Pind Dan’. On top of the hill the Queen of Indore, Ahilya Bai, built a temple in 1787 popularly known as Ahilya Bai Temple. This temple has always been an attraction for the tourists due to its unique architecture and magnificent sculptures.