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.
Rough Guides combines destination expertise with tailor-made travel planned by vetted India local experts. You can use our city and regional guides as a starting point, then receive up to 3 personalized trip plans created from scratch around your preferred pace, experiences, and route through the country. The final itinerary is refined directly with the local travel agent instead of being selected from a fixed package.
written by
Andy Turner
