Latest news with #PitripakshMela
Time of India
11 hours ago
- Time of India
Gaya Ji: A global pilgrimage hub
1 2 3 4 5 6 Gaya: One of the oldest cities in Bihar, the mythological and sacred land of Gaya has now been officially renamed as Gaya Ji, a move resonating with spiritual reverence and historical pride. Etched deep into India's cultural consciousness, Gaya Ji commands international attention for more than one reason. Considered the holy abode of Lord Vishnu, it is here, according to the ancient epic Ramayana, that Lord Rama, the incarnation of Vishnu, performed the pinddaan ritual for his father, King Dasharatha. Legends place this city's existence as far back as the Treta Yuga, several millennia ago. Renowned globally for the Pitripaksh Mela, a fortnight-long observance held annually during the Krishna Paksha of the Ashwin month (as per the Hindu calendar), Gaya Ji draws lakhs of pilgrims seeking to honour their ancestors. It is also Bihar's only city with international flight operations and is celebrated for its iconic local sweet, tilkut. Gaya Ji is a land of stirring tales, none more inspiring than that of Dashrath Manjhi, the legendary 'Mountain Man' who, with nothing but a hammer and chisel, carved a 360-foot-long, 30-foot-wide road through a hill over 22 relentless years. The city also takes pride in producing top-tier engineering talent, especially from Patwa Toli, a locality known for its weaver families and academic ambition, often sending students to the prestigious IITs. The spiritual heart of Gaya Ji beats within the sacred walls of Vishnupad Temple and extends to the nearby UNESCO World Heritage site, the Mahabodhi Mahavihara in Bodh Gaya. The former is a revered destination for Hindu devotees while the latter is a spiritual beacon for Buddhists worldwide. The city's significance is reflected in the rising tide of pilgrims and tourists. According to Gaya district administration, at least 23 lakh pilgrims performed pinddaan in Gaya Ji during the most recent Pitripaksh, a sharp increase from 15 lakh in 2023 and 13 lakh in 2022. According to the state tourism department, around 40 lakh domestic and international guests visited the Mahabodhi Mahavihara in 2024 alone. Beyond its spiritual magnetism, Gaya Ji is also set for a dynamic transformation. With a 1,670-acre integrated manufacturing cluster under development in Dobhi block, the city is gearing up to mark its presence on the industrial map with ambitions likened to Noida. Adding to its strategic importance, the Amritsar-Delhi-Kolkata Industrial Corridor (AKIC) will pass through Gaya Ji, linking it with six other states – Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Jharkhand and West Bengal. Looking ahead, the completion of the Vishnupad Corridor and Mahabodhi Corridor, announced in the Union Budget, will further elevate the twin cities of Gaya Ji and Bodh Gaya as hubs of pilgrimage and tourism. With this anticipated surge in footfall and business activity, the local economy is expected to flourish, bringing with it increased employment and prosperity. Pramod Kumar Sinha, a Vaastu and numerology expert and vice-president of the All India Federation of Astrologers' Societies (AIFAS), offered a metaphysical perspective. "Study of the new name Gaya Ji shows that the religious, spiritual, academic reputation of the city and the mental progress of people living here will increase. There will be an increase in the fame and popularity of the city in the country and abroad. There will be opportunities to achieve rapid progress in mental, intellectual and economic progress of the people living here," he said.
Time of India
26-05-2025
- Time of India
‘Vishnupad Corridor project to transform pilgrims' experience'
Gaya: Gaya DM Thiyagarajan S M on Monday inspected the area surrounding the historic Vishnupad temple and held discussions with members of the Gayapal Panda Samaj about the proposed Vishnupad Corridor. The Centre has announced plans for the construction and beautification of the temple precincts, which attract lakhs of pilgrims annually, particularly during the Pitripaksh Mela. "Around Rs 61 crore will be spent on constructing a 144-foot corridor from Ghughritand bypass through the cremation ground, providing direct access to Vishnupad temple," the DM said. "Plans include beautifying the temple and developing the surrounding area to improve pilgrim facilities," he added. Key components of the project include a visitor facilitation centre opposite the temple, a grand entrance from the Falgu river, a 140-foot-wide path connecting the ghat to the centre and a bus stand. The infrastructure will be developed over 1.28 acres to enhance the pilgrim experience. "In view of the state tourism department's emphasis on preserving the temple's heritage and boosting tourism, the Centre has sanctioned this corridor," Thiyagarajan added. The DM also consulted members of the panda community, the executive engineer and the architect from Bihar State Tourism Development Corporation regarding proposed development plans and designs prepared by the tourism department.
