The highly revered Vishnupad Temple in Gaya is devoted to Lord Vishnu, the Hindu god of preservation.
A sacred footprint impression in black basalt rock, thought to represent the left foot of Lord Vishnu, is kept in the temple.
Especially during Pitripaksha, Pind Daan is a Hindu ritual performed at the famous Vishnupad Temple for the tranquility of one's departed ancestors.
Built with gray granite, the 100-foot-tall Vishnupad Temple is a wonder of architecture that combines North Indian and Dravidian forms.
For pilgrims visiting Gaya, the Vishnupad Temple is conveniently located approximately 4 km from Gaya Junction Railway Station.
The Mahabodhi Temple is one of the most sacred Buddhist pilgrimage destinations in the world and is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Constructed around the Bodhi tree, the site of Siddhartha Gautama's enlightenment
and eventual transformation into the Buddha, the Mahabodhi Temple holds great spiritual importance.
Emperor Ashoka constructed the first temple edifice in the third century BC. The current layout is the result of later development.
The temple complex is centered around a pyramidal tower that is covered in elaborate sculptures that represent Buddha's life.
A main attraction for travelers is the revered Bodhi tree, which is thought to be a descendent of the original tree where the Buddha obtained enlightenment.