Gaya

Gaya, 206 kms from Patna, is an ancient place of pilgrimage for the Hindus as well as the Buddhists. The sacred footprint of Vishnu is believed to have been preserved in Vishnupad Temple. It is deemed a great opportunity by the Hindus to be able to perform the Shraddha ceremony (offering of oblation) of their forefathers there. The sacred river Phalgu, generally invisible, flows by the spot.

The town derives its name from Gayasur, a demon who was an ardent devotee of Vishnu. The gods envious of his purity and devotion, tried to bury him by sitting over him. When the demon realized their motive, he said that the gods had no need of playing any trick with him, for he would have done or given whatever they would have asked of him. The gods were both embarrassed and impressed. They offered him a boon. "Remain ever clung to my body," was the demon-devotee's wish.