Land Of Shraddha And Moksha: How Did Gayaji Get Its Name And What Is Its Hindu-Buddhist Heritage?

On the map of Bihar lies a city that represents the very essence of India and of life itself. A city that carries within it the stories of joy and sorrow, life and death, compassion and cruelty, despair and hope — this city is Gayaji.

It was here that Lord Buddha attained enlightenment. It is here that Hindus perform the sacred rituals of pind daan for their ancestors. This land has witnessed the rise and expansion of Magadha, and also its destruction. It has endured the wrath of Bengal’s ruthless ruler Shashank, suffered the invasions of the Khiljis, and stood tall against the might of the British Raj, even hosting a session of the Indian National Congress and laying the foundation of the Swaraj Party.

For centuries, the priests of Gayaji have guided Hindus in performing ancestral rites, while followers of Buddha continue to learn and practice the Middle Path here.

Today, we will explore the history of this ancient city. Why does it carry two names? Who was the demon after whom India’s most sacred land was named? And what is the connection of this holy place with Lord Sita-Ram?

Hello, my name is Anurag Tiwari, and you are reading Business Connect Magazine. Today, we take you through the fascinating history of Gayaji — the land of wisdom and ancestral offerings.

The pages of Gaya’s past take us back thousands of years. But let’s begin with a flashback to the 19th century. At that time, Bihar was part of the Bengal Province. In 1865, the British administration issued a gazette for the Bihar region of Bengal, announcing that a new district — Gaya — would be carved out of Ramgarh.

One British officer of that era, Alexander Cunningham, played a key role here. A man deeply interested in history, Cunningham went on to establish the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI). Just as the scholar Pliny studied Alexander the Great to understand geography, Cunningham relied on the travel records of the Chinese pilgrim Xuanzang to trace India’s past. In 1861, four years before Gaya became a district, Cunningham conducted a survey here. When the first volume of the ASI was published, the chapters on Gaya and Bodh Gaya were placed right at the beginning.

In his report, Cunningham wrote that the Vishnupad Temple was Gaya’s most prominent site, linked to the demon Gayasur. According to legend, when even the gods failed to subdue him, Lord Vishnu pressed Gayasur down with his foot. This story appears in Hindu texts like the Vayu Purana. Later, Dr. Rajendralal Mitra connected the tale with Buddhism, suggesting that just as Buddhism made salvation easier, Gayasur’s legend in Brahmanical texts emphasized Vishnu’s role in curbing him.

Buddhist literature also carries echoes of this story. For instance, in the Suttanipata, we read about the demon Suchiloma, whom the Buddha subdued under his foot near the Pretshila hills. Other traditions link the city’s name to the Gayeshwari Temple (patronized in the 18th century by Ahilyabai Holkar), or to Gaya Kashyap, who was defeated in a debate with the Buddha.

Geographically, Gaya is surrounded by hills, each tied to its mythology. To the south lies Brahmayoni Hill, home to a temple destroyed by Aurangzeb in 1633 but originally built in the 11th century. To the north are the Ramshila Hills, with the 11th-century Pataleshwar Mahadev Temple. On the northwest stands Pretshila Hill, associated with restless spirits — where Ahilyabai Holkar built a shrine for wandering souls. Cunningham even connected this to the god of death, Yama.

The Falgu River also shapes Gaya’s history. On its eastern bank, an inscription of Mahendrapal Deva, the fourth Pala ruler, was discovered, pushing Gaya’s documented history back by at least 250 years. Not only hills and temples but even trees here hold deep historical and religious importance — such as the Akshayavat tree, tied to Sita’s offering of pind daan, and the Bodhi Tree, under which Siddhartha Gautama attained enlightenment.

Buddhist texts recount that Siddhartha meditated beneath a peepal tree on the banks of the Niranjana River (another name for the Falgu). After years of austerities, he attained enlightenment here, becoming the Buddha. The Chinese pilgrim Xuanzang, who visited in the 7th century CE, wrote about this sacred tree. He noted that Bengal’s king Shashank had cut down the original tree, even watering its sapling with sugarcane juice to kill it. But later, King Purnavarman planted a new shoot, which survived. The present-day Bodhi tree is said to be the sixth-generation descendant of that original tree.

In the 3rd century BCE, Emperor Ashoka built a monastery near the Bodhi tree for monks. Over time, this evolved into the magnificent Mahabodhi Temple, an architectural masterpiece of early Indian brick construction. Its design reflects features of the Nagara style of North India. While the temple itself is dated to the 5th–6th centuries CE, its stone railings trace back even further to the Shunga period. Alongside, the Barabar and Nagarjuni caves push Gaya’s antiquity to at least the 3rd century BCE.

Moving further back, during the Vedic age, when Aryans advanced eastward along the Ganges, they encountered the Kingdom of Kikata, identified with today’s Magadh region. Rituals and legends linked to Gaya are mentioned in the Atharvaveda, Yama Smriti, and various Puranas.

For Hindus, Gaya is especially sacred for the Shraddha rituals — offerings made to ancestors during the fortnight of Pitru Paksha (September–October). Even today, thousands gather in Gaya for these rites, guided by priests who maintain genealogical records in ancient manuscripts.

A story from the Ramayana adds another layer to this tradition. When King Dasharatha died during Rama’s exile, Rama came to Gaya to perform his father’s last rites. As he and Lakshman went to gather offerings, Sita performed the ritual herself using balls of sand, with the Akshayavat tree testifying to her act. To this day, sand balls are used at Sita Kund for pind daan, and since the 1980s, women have resumed participating in these rituals, honoring Sita’s role.

Gaya’s past is not only mythological but also historical. Beyond the 1922 Congress session and the foundation of the Swaraj Party, its story is preserved in gazetteers, Puranas, Buddhist scriptures, and oral traditions. Recently, the city was officially renamed Gayaji, reflecting its deep spiritual heritage.

From hills and temples to rivers and trees, Gaya’s history stretches across 2,500 years and beyond, interwoven with tales of gods, demons, kings, and pilgrims. It is a city where Hindu shraddha rituals and Buddhist enlightenment meet — a shared heritage that continues to define Gayaji’s timeless identity.

1. What is Gayaji and why is it significant?

Gayaji is an ancient city in Bihar that holds deep spiritual importance for both Hindus and Buddhists. It is the site where Lord Buddha attained enlightenment and where Hindus perform pind daan rituals for ancestors.

2. Why does the city have two names — Gaya and Gayaji?

The city was historically known as Gaya. Recently, it has been officially renamed Gayaji to reflect its spiritual and religious heritage.

3. Who was Alexander Cunningham and what was his connection to Gayaji?

Alexander Cunningham was a British officer and historian who founded the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI). He conducted surveys in Gaya and Bodh Gaya, documenting its temples, hills, and historical sites.

4. What is the Vishnupad Temple and its legend?

The Vishnupad Temple is one of Gaya’s most important sites. According to legend, the demon Gayasur was subdued by Lord Vishnu pressing him with his foot, a story also mentioned in the Vayu Purana.

5. How is Gayaji connected to Buddhism?

Bodh Gaya, located in Gayaji, is where Siddhartha Gautama meditated under the Bodhi tree and attained enlightenment, becoming the Buddha.

6. What is the historical significance of the Bodhi Tree?

The Bodhi Tree is the sixth-generation descendant of the original tree under which Buddha attained enlightenment. It has been protected and preserved for centuries.

7. Which ancient rulers influenced Gayaji?

Gayaji has seen the rise and fall of rulers like King Shashank, Aurangzeb, and the Pala dynasty, each leaving historical and architectural marks.

8. What is the significance of the Falgu River?

The Falgu River (also called Niranjana River in Buddhist texts) is sacred and forms the site for many Hindu rituals, including Shraddha ceremonies.

9. What is Shraddha and why is it important in Gayaji?

Shraddha is a Hindu ritual for offering prayers to ancestors, performed during Pitru Paksha. Gayaji is considered one of the most sacred places to conduct this ritual.

10. How does Gayaji feature in the Ramayana?

Rama performed his father King Dasharatha’s last rites at Gaya. Legend says Sita used sand balls to perform pind daan at Sita Kund, and this practice continues today.

11. What are some important temples and hills in Gayaji?

Key sites include Vishnupad Temple, Gayeshwari Temple, Brahmayoni Hill, Ramshila Hills, Pretshila Hill, and Pataleshwar Mahadev Temple.

12. How did Buddhism and Hinduism influence Gayaji together?

Gayaji is a unique confluence where Hindu rituals like Shraddha coexist with Buddhist practices, reflecting a shared spiritual heritage.

13. Who was Gayasur?

Gayasur was a demon in Hindu mythology, subdued by Lord Vishnu. His legend is closely associated with Vishnupad Temple in Gayaji.

14. What role did Ahilyabai Holkar play in Gayaji’s history?

Ahilyabai Holkar contributed to the construction and restoration of temples like Gayeshwari Temple and shrines for wandering spirits in Gayaji.

15. What is the Mahabodhi Temple and its significance?

The Mahabodhi Temple near the Bodhi Tree is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, reflecting early Indian brick architecture and Buddhist religious practices.

16. Which historical inscriptions are found in Gayaji?

An inscription of Mahendrapal Deva, the fourth Pala ruler, was discovered on the eastern bank of the Falgu River, highlighting Gayaji’s historical importance.

17. How old is Gayaji according to historical evidence?

Historical, archaeological, and religious evidence suggests that Gayaji’s roots go back at least 2,500 years, with references from Vedic, Puranic, and Buddhist texts.

18. How did the British influence Gayaji?

During the British period, Gayaji became a district in 1865. Alexander Cunningham surveyed its historical sites and included Gaya and Bodh Gaya in the first volume of ASI reports.

19. Why do pilgrims visit Gayaji today?

Pilgrims visit for Hindu Shraddha rituals, to see the Bodhi Tree, Mahabodhi Temple, and other sacred sites, preserving a centuries-old tradition of worship and enlightenment.

20. What makes Gayaji a symbol of shared spiritual heritage?

Gayaji uniquely intertwines Hindu and Buddhist histories, myths, rituals, and architecture, making it a city where enlightenment, devotion, and ancestral respect converge.

21. Why is Bodh Gaya considered the heart of Buddhist pilgrimage?

Bodh Gaya is where Siddhartha Gautama attained enlightenment under the Bodhi Tree, making it the most revered site for Buddhists worldwide.

22. What is the connection between the Akshayavat tree and Gayaji?

The Akshayavat tree is linked to Sita’s performance of pind daan for her father-in-law, King Dasharatha, symbolizing eternal life and devotion.

23. Who was Gaya Kashyap?

Gaya Kashyap is said to have been a scholar defeated by Buddha in a debate. Some traditions associate the city’s name with him.

24. What is the historical importance of Pretshila Hill?

Pretshila Hill is associated with wandering spirits. Ahilyabai Holkar built a shrine here for lost souls, reflecting local spiritual practices.

25. How did King Shashank influence Bodh Gaya?

King Shashank, a ruler of Bengal, reportedly destroyed the original Bodhi Tree, attempting to suppress Buddhist worship in the region.

26. What role did Emperor Ashoka play in Gayaji?

Emperor Ashoka established a monastery near the Bodhi Tree in the 3rd century BCE for Buddhist monks, promoting the spread of Buddhism.

27. How old is the Mahabodhi Temple?

The Mahabodhi Temple’s main structure dates to the 5th–6th century CE, while its outer railings trace back to the Shunga period, making it over 1,500 years old.

28. What are the Barabar and Nagarjuni caves?

These caves near Gaya are among India’s oldest rock-cut monuments, dating to the 3rd century BCE, used historically by monks and ascetics.

29. Why is Pitru Paksha celebrated in Gayaji?

Pitru Paksha is a 15-day period when Hindus perform Shraddha for deceased ancestors. Gayaji’s sacred geography makes it one of the most auspicious places for these rites.

30. How does Sita Kund connect to the Ramayana?

Sita Kund is believed to be the place where Sita performed pind daan for King Dasharatha using sand, continuing a ritual tradition that persists today.

31. How have women participated in pind daan rituals?

Initially restricted, women resumed participation in pind daan rituals during the 1980s, honoring Sita’s role in these ceremonies.

32. What are the Ramshila Hills and their significance?

The Ramshila Hills, north of Gaya, house the Pataleshwar Mahadev Temple (11th century) and feature in local legends and spiritual practices.

33. What is the significance of Brahmayoni Hill?

Brahmayoni Hill, south of Gaya, is home to a temple originally built in the 11th century and destroyed by Aurangzeb in 1633, highlighting the region’s layered history.

34. How does Gayaji reflect both Hindu and Buddhist traditions?

Gayaji uniquely blends Hindu ancestral rituals with Buddhist enlightenment practices, symbolizing a shared heritage of spirituality, wisdom, and devotion.

35. What archaeological surveys have been conducted in Gayaji?

The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), initiated by Alexander Cunningham, conducted detailed studies of Gaya and Bodh Gaya, documenting temples, inscriptions, and historic sites.

36. Who was Suchiloma?

Suchiloma was a demon mentioned in Buddhist texts, subdued by Buddha near Pretshila Hill, paralleling Hindu legends of Gayasur.

37. What are the main religious festivals in Gayaji?

Pitru Paksha Shraddha, Buddha Jayanti, and local temple fairs are major events that attract thousands of devotees annually.

38. How does Gayaji connect with the Pala dynasty?

Inscriptions of Mahendrapal Deva, a Pala ruler, confirm the region’s historical significance and royal patronage, linking it to ancient Buddhist and Hindu heritage.

39. How has Gayaji influenced Indian architecture?

The Mahabodhi Temple reflects early North Indian Nagara-style brick construction, influencing Buddhist architectural practices across India and beyond.

40. Why is Gayaji considered a city of shared wisdom and devotion?

Because it combines Hindu ancestral rites, Buddhist enlightenment, historical legacies, and mythological stories, Gayaji stands as a symbol of India’s spiritual and cultural synthesis.

41. What is the legend of Gayasur?

Gayasur was a demon who caused havoc until Lord Vishnu subdued him by pressing him with his foot at the site of the Vishnupad Temple, giving the city its sacred identity.

42. How did Xuanzang describe Bodh Gaya?

The 7th-century Chinese pilgrim Xuanzang documented the Bodhi Tree and Bodh Gaya’s monasteries, noting its significance as the place where Buddha attained enlightenment.

43. What is the significance of the Falgu River in Gaya?

The Falgu River is considered holy and central to performing pind daan rituals, as water from its banks is believed to sanctify offerings to ancestors.

44. How did Ahilyabai Holkar contribute to Gaya?

Ahilyabai Holkar constructed and renovated temples and shrines, including sites on Pretshila Hill, supporting both Hindu worship and care for wandering souls.

45. What is the connection between the Bodhi Tree and the present-day Mahabodhi Temple?

The Bodhi Tree is where Buddha attained enlightenment. The Mahabodhi Temple was built nearby to honor this event, evolving over centuries into a major pilgrimage site.

46. What role did King Purnavarman play in Bodh Gaya’s history?

King Purnavarman replanted a new Bodhi Tree after the original was destroyed, preserving the sacred lineage of the site for future generations.

47. How old is the current Bodhi Tree?

The present Bodhi Tree is considered the sixth-generation descendant of the original tree under which Buddha attained enlightenment.

48. What architectural style is the Mahabodhi Temple built in?

The Mahabodhi Temple reflects early North Indian Nagara-style brick architecture, featuring a high platform, amalaka (circular stone elements), and intricate carvings.

49. How does Gaya connect to the Kingdom of Kikata?

During the Vedic era, Aryans moving eastward encountered the Kikata Kingdom near present-day Gaya, which is mentioned in several Vedic and Brahmanical texts.

50. What is the importance of Sita Kund in Gayaji?

Sita Kund commemorates the story of Sita performing pind daan using sand balls for King Dasharatha, highlighting the city’s link to the Ramayana and Hindu ancestral rites.

51. How did the Congress session of 1922 impact Gaya?

The 1922 Indian National Congress session held in Gaya strengthened the city’s political significance and laid the foundation for the Swaraj Party.

52. What is the significance of Pataleshwar Mahadev Temple?

Located on the Ramshila Hills, this 11th-century temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and showcases Gaya’s rich spiritual diversity.

53. How did Shashank attempt to destroy Buddhist heritage?

Shashank, the ruler of Bengal, reportedly cut down the original Bodhi Tree and tried to prevent its regrowth, reflecting religious conflicts of the time.

54. How has the tradition of pind daan evolved in modern times?

Initially male-dominated, women have resumed performing pind daan since the 1980s, especially during Pitru Paksha, honoring traditional stories of Sita.

55. How is Gayaji significant for international pilgrims?

Pilgrims from countries like Thailand, Japan, Sri Lanka, and Myanmar visit Bodh Gaya for enlightenment practices, meditation, and Buddhist festivals.

56. What is the connection between Gayaji and Lord Vishnu?

Vishnupad Temple commemorates Vishnu’s act of subduing Gayasur, symbolizing the triumph of dharma over adharma and linking Hindu legends with the city’s identity.

57. How has Gayaji contributed to education and culture?

Monasteries and temples historically acted as centers of learning, preserving Buddhist philosophy, Sanskrit texts, and genealogical records for Hindu rituals.

58. What role did the 18th-century Holkar dynasty play in Gaya?

The Holkars, especially Ahilyabai, funded renovations and constructions of temples, integrating art, architecture, and spiritual practices in Gayaji.

59. How do local legends integrate Hindu and Buddhist narratives?

Legends of demons like Gayasur and Suchiloma connect Hindu and Buddhist texts, showing shared moral and spiritual themes across traditions.

60. Why is Gayaji called a land of wisdom and ancestral offerings?

It is the confluence of Buddhist enlightenment and Hindu shraddha rituals, symbolizing centuries of spiritual knowledge, devotion, and cultural continuity.

Land of Shraddha and Moksha: How Did Gayaji Get Its Name and What Is Its Hindu-Buddhist Heritage?