The demon Gayasur - the holy monster - gave his name to the ancient city of Gaya. According to legend, Lord Vishnu killed Gayasur with his foot, resulting in the development of the Gaya hills. Gaya is the state's second largest city, located 100 kilometres south of Patna, the state capital. Gaya is a sacred site for Hindus, Buddhists, Jains, and Muslims alike.

Surprisingly, there is a town called Bodh Gaya 11 kilometres from here in the city of Gaya. Bodh Gaya is a well-known Buddhist pilgrimage destination where the renowned Lord Buddha is said to have attained enlightenment under the Bodhi tree. Apart from religious sites, Gaya has a lot more to show, including historic caverns dating back to the third century BC, lakes, and museums. Gaya is a foodie's paradise, with various eateries serving delectable Bihari cuisine and delectable sweets. Gaya is a destination for individuals seeking spiritual awakening as well as lovers of old architecture and natural beauty.

Let's take a peek at Gaya's history.

Gaya's origins can be traced back to the Mahabharata and Ramayana, when Lord Ram and Lakshman are said to have landed to Gaya to perform the Pind Daan ceremony. Gaya has a long and illustrious history, with dynasties governing the province from the 6th century BC to the 18th century AD. Ancient Bihar, particularly Gaya, has a long history of study, art, and civilization.

The Guptas governed for two centuries between the 4th and 5th centuries AD during the Hindu revivalism period, after which Gaya was ceded to the Pala Empire, whose ruler Gopala constructed the Bodh Gaya temple. The Khilji dynasty ruled Gaya for a short time, then Sher Shah Suri took over and restored the entire Bihar province to its former prominence. For years, the Mughals governed the province before the British took over and controlled it till freedom.

Culture of Gaya

The Gaya Pitru Paksha Mela and Buddha Purnima are two of the most important events in Gaya. Worshippers offer food to dead ancestors as a show of respect known as Pind Daan, which is said to be beneficial when practised in Gaya, during the Pitru Paksha Mela. Buddha Purnima commemorates Buddha's birthday and is marked through prayer meetings, meditation, pilgrimages, and the recitation of scriptures.

Gaya, like most old cities, has a long tradition of arts and crafts that is still practised today. Gaya's skillful artisans are specialists in carving stone into home items and religious tributes. Nearly 8,000 weavers, as well as several home enterprises, work in Gaya to create stunning handicrafts, incense sticks, and printed fabrics with religious themes.

Where to eat in Gaya? 

In addition to in-house eateries, Gaya has roadside shops that sell cuisine. Bhunja and Aloo Kachalu are widely known snacks in Gaya. They can be found in stores around Paradise Cinema Hall. Gaya's notable sweet stores include Kaveri and Pramod Misthan Bhandar.

Things to do at Gaya 

• Time to shop in Tibetan Refuge Market: If you're looking for mementos, the Tibetan Refugee Market is the place to go. The market in the town centre contains piles of woollens for you to negotiate with. These are bright and cheerful, and they'll be a wonderful deal. You can also acquire Buddhist-themed souvenirs as well as many types of antiques.
• Behold Lord Vishnu's historic footprint: It is known for the 40-cm (15.7-inch) long footprint of Lord Vishnu within it, which is imbedded on solid rock and enveloped by a silver basin. It is situated along the Falgu River. Many people think the print, which depicts Lord Vishnu destroying Gayasur by standing on the demon's chest, became the focal point of the temple's construction. 
• View the fabled Muchalinda Lake: Muchalinda Lake is one of the six holy locations in the Mahabodhi Temple complex that should be on your must-see list if you're in town. The enormous Snake King, who guarded Buddha while meditating in severe weather, gave the lake its moniker. If you visit during the summer, you should bring mosquito repellant because the lake attracts them.
• Step back in time at India's oldest rock caves: The twin peaks of Barabar and Nagarjuni are home to a complex of many rock caves. There are a total of 7 caverns dating back to the Maurya period in the third century. The fact that these caverns were cut out of the extraordinarily resistant stone granite, and that the finishing procedure was so extraordinary that it gave them a beautiful mirror and echo aspect, is what makes them fascinating.
• Observe a serene atmosphere at Palyul Namdroling Temple: Palyul Namdroling Temple is situated near the Gaya Grand Buddha and is not a tourist trap, so you may have a peaceful and relaxing visit. Some visitors have stated that the spot is so quiet and has such a strong magical air that entering there causes an unknown terror.
• Explore the Gaya Museum to see the relics: Gaya Museum, which first opened its doors in 1952, contained Shri Baldeo Prasad's own collection. The museum is said to have over 3,000 antiquities on display for tourists to enjoy. Sculptures, bronze figures, texts, photos, and other artefacts date from the Mayurayan and Gupta periods.

Places to visit 

• Mahabodhi Temple: The Mahabodhi Temple in Bodhgaya, Bihar, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site known as the "Great Awakening Temple." It is a Buddhist shrine consecrated to the disclosure of the Lord Buddha at the location where he is said to have reached enlightenment. Lord Buddha is considered to be the 9th and most recent manifestation of Lord Vishnu to have inhabited the world, and hence occupies a special place in Indian religious history.
• Bodhi Tree: The Bodhi tree is one of the four important Buddhist pilgrimage sites, and it is a popular tourist attraction. Prince Siddhartha is said to have sat and meditated for seven days under this tree. In the 7th century, a modest temple was constructed near the Bodhi tree.
• Great Buddha Statue: The XIV Dalai Lama imposed this statue of Lord Buddha in 1989, making it the tallest in India. It is an artistically sculpted meditating Buddha lying on a massive lotus, made of sandstone and red granite.
• Thai Temple and Monastery: The sole Thai temple in India was established in 1956 by Thailand's monarch in response to a petition from India's then-prime minister, Jawaharlal Nehru. The temple is a beautiful example of Thai design. For those with an architectural eye, the remarkable structure with its curled sloping roof is a visual joy.

How to reach?

• By Air: The Gaya or Bodhgaya airport is the nearest airport. The airport is around 10 kilometres from the city centre and is well linked to major Indian towns as well as international locations. Gaya is connected to Delhi, Paro, Yangon, and Kathmandu by flights operated by major carriers such as Air India, Druk Air, Golden Myanmar Airlines, and Myanmar Airways International. Hire taxis or cabs to get to Gaya city centre once you arrive at the airport.
• By Road: The well-maintained roads in Gaya are one of the greatest and most cost-effective methods to get there. This holy city is connected to important north Indian cities by the G.T road. Most cities, including Ranchi (230 km), Patna (145 km), Raurkela (390 km), Kolkata (480 km), Jamshedpur (370 km), and Hazaribagh (130 km), have a number of state and private operated buses that run at regular intervals.
• By Rail: Gaya Railway Station is the principal rail hub connecting Gaya to all of India's major cities. A comprehensive rail network connects the station to locations such as Delhi, Patna, and Ranchi. A special daily train named the Mahabodhi Express departs from New Delhi and takes about 16 hours to reach Gaya.