Gaya Ji (Bihar): President Droupadi Murmu visited Gaya Ji in Bihar on Saturday to offer prayers at the historic Shri Vishnupad Temple.
On her arrival, she was warmly received by Bihar Governor Arif Mohammed Khan, Union Minister for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Jitan Ram Manjhi, and Bihar Minister Prem Kumar.
A statement from the President’s office noted: “Governor of Bihar, Shri Arif Mohammed Khan, Union Minister for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, Shri Jitan Ram Manjhi, and Minister of Co-operative, Government of Bihar, Dr Prem Kumar, received President Droupadi Murmu on her arrival at Gaya.”
According to the Bihar Tourism Department, the Vishnupad Temple is an ancient Hindu shrine dedicated to Lord Vishnu, renowned for housing the sacred footprint of the deity enshrined in rock. The temple is also a prominent site for performing Pind Daan, a Hindu ritual for the salvation of ancestors. Its scenic riverside location and architectural splendor make it a key spiritual destination.
The temple, situated on the banks of the Phalgu River, was constructed in 1787 by Queen Ahilyabai. Local legend holds that Lord Vishnu killed the demon Gayasur by placing his foot on Gayasur’s chest, giving the temple its spiritual significance.
Gaya Ji attracts thousands of devotees from across India and abroad, especially during Pitrapaksh, when they perform Pind Daan rituals for their ancestors. Historically, the city was part of the ancient Magadh Empire and is mentioned in both the Ramayana, where Lord Rama performed Pind Daan for his father Dashrath, and the Mahabharata.
The region is also home to Bodhgaya, one of the world’s most important Buddhist pilgrimage centers. It was here, under the sacred Bodhi Tree, that Gautama Buddha attained enlightenment, marking it as a site of immense historical and spiritual significance.
