Gaya

Gaya is of historical significance and is one of the major tourist attractions of the state of Bihar. Gaya is 100 km south of Patna, the capital city of Bihar. It is the state’s second-largest city with a population of 470,839 and is the headquarters of the Gaya district and Magadh division. The city is surrounded on three sides by small rocky hills (Mangla-Gauri, Shringa-Sthan, Ram-Shila, and Brahmayoni) with the Phalgu River on its eastern side. It is one of the best historical sites in India. It is named after the demon Gayasur. According to Vayu Purana, It was the name of a demon (Asura) whose body became pious after he performed strict penance and secured blessings from Lord Vishnu. Gaya is considered to be one of the most ideal places to perform the “Shraddh” (“Shraddh” is the Hindu ritual that one performs to pay homage to one’s ‘ancestors’, especially to one’s dead relatives). The various structures on the site have undergone a number of restorations over the centuries. Ongoing maintenance and management are required to protect the complex which, as a major pilgrimage site, is under pressure due to large numbers of visitors.

How to reach

By Road: Gaya has a well-maintained road and it’s one of the best and most cost-effective ways of reaching Gaya. G.T road connects this holy city with major north Indian cities. A number of state and private operated buses are available at regular intervals from most cities such as Ranchi, Patna, Jamshedpur, Raurkela, Kolkata, and Hazaribagh. From Patna, you can take the NH 83 and SH 69 route which takes around 3 to 4 hours to cover a distance of about 145 km.

By Train: Gaya Railway Station is the main railway station that connects the city of Gaya with all the major Indian cities. The railway station is well linked to destinations like Delhi, Patna, and Ranchi via an extensive rail network. From New Delhi runs a special daily train called Mahabodhi Express that takes nearly 16 hours to reach Gaya. After reaching the railway station, bus and taxi services are available.

By Air: Connecting Gaya with the rest of the country by air is the Gaya Airport or Bodhgaya Airport. The airport is about 10 km away from the city Centre and is well connected with not only major cities in India but also with international destinations. Flights operated by some of the major carriers including Air India, Druk Air, Golden Myanmar Airlines and Myanmar Airways International connect Gaya with Delhi, Paro, Yangon, and Kathmandu. Once you reach the airport, taxis or cabs are available to reach Gaya city center.