Gaya

Gaya, 100km south of Patna, is a transit point for visitors to Bodhgaya, 13km away. Gaya has no real tourist attractions, but many Hindus come here to honour their parents a year after death by offering pinda – funeral cakes – at the massive Vishnupad temple (no entry to non-Hindus). Pilgrims also bathe at the riverside ghats. Brahmajuni Hill, 1km southeast of the Vishnupad temple, is said to be where Buddha preached his fire sermon.

For cultural travelers, adding Gaya to tailor-made vacations can provide deeper insight into India’s spiritual traditions, balancing well-known Buddhist sites with the rituals and practices of Hindu pilgrimage.