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The holy land of India has been the playground of sages, deities and incarnations since time immemorial. Every pilgrimage has some mythological story and divine experience stored within it. One such salvation-giving land is Gaya Ji (Bihar), which is considered to be the highest place for the tarpan and shrada of ancestors. This is the same place where, by coming and performing pitra puja, ancestors get salvation.
It is described in the Puranas that in the Satyuga there was a demon named Gayasur. Although he was born in the Asur clan, his heart was inspired by religion and penance. He did severe penance on the Kolahal mountain, which pleased Lord Vishnu, the savior of the three worlds. Pleased, the Lord asked him to ask for a boon. Gayasur asked for a unique boon from him. He said, “May beings reach heaven with just my touch.”
Lord Vishnu granted this boon on seeing his intense penance. But as a result of this, Yamalok started becoming deserted, because whoever Gayasur touched, he went straight to heaven. This was a big problem for the gods and Yamraj. All the gods went to Brahmaji and requested him to find a solution to this problem.
Brahmaji listened to the gods’ talk very carefully. After this, he went to Gayasur and asked for his body to perform a yagya. When Gayasur saw that the creator of the universe himself was requesting this from him, he humbly accepted this demand. The yagya started on the banks of the Falgu River, and Dharmashila was placed on Gayasur’s body. But even after placing the stone, his body kept moving. Then Lord Vishnu appeared in the form of Gadhdhar and placed his right foot on Gayasur’s body. Gayasur became still by the touch of the Lord’s feet.
Gayasur prayed to the Lord, “O Narayan! May this Dharmashila take the form of my body, and may your footprints remain on it for ages and ages. May I also remain present at this place forever so that the devotees can see me and your feet together?” Lord Vishnu accepted his prayer.
“Gaya” was named after Gayasur
Gayasur attained the supreme world, and this land was named Gaya after him. Dharmashila still exists in the Vishnupad temple here, on which the footprints of Lord Vishnu are imprinted. This unique place is considered to be the first such place in the world where both a demon and a god are worshipped together.
Gaya Ji is mentioned not only in the Puranas but also in texts like the Ramayana and Mahabharata. It is said that Lord Rama, Mother Sita and Lakshman came to this place in Treta Yuga. It was here that Mother Sita made a ball of sand and performed the Pind Daan of her father-in-law, King Dasharath. Even during the Mahabharata period, the Pandavas came here and performed the shradh of their ancestors. This is the reason why this place is considered to be the ultimate place for the salvation of ancestors.
Every year, a huge fair is held in Gaya on the occasion of Pitru Paksha. Not only from the country, but also from abroad, lakhs of devotees come here to offer tarpan to their ancestors. Worshiping on the banks of the Falgu River, near Akshayvat and in the Vishnupad temple, gives satisfaction to the souls of ancestors. It is believed that rituals performed here provides salvation to ancestors for many generations.
The Vishnupad temple is made of touchstone and is famous for its antiquity and grandeur. It was renovated by Queen Ahilyabai Holkar. Dharmashila is present in this temple, on which the footprints of Lord Vishnu are imprinted. Just by seeing these footprints, the devotee gets indescribable peace and spiritual experience.
The specialty of Gaya Ji is that here devotees visit the feet of Lord Vishnu and also remember the penance and sacrifice of Gayasur. This unique confluence gives us the message that any creature, even if it is a demon, if it comes to the shelter of God with true devotion and penance, then it gets respect and salvation.
Mokshabhoomi Gaya Ji is an endless ocean of faith and belief. Coming here, every devotee remembers his ancestors, offers them tarpan and experiences the purification of the soul. For ages, the footprints of Lord Vishnu have been present in this city, and as long as the faith is alive, Gaya Ji will continue to liberate the ancestors as Moksha Nagari.
Tarpan, Shradh, Pinddaan and donation done with devotion give peace to the ancestors and bring happiness, longevity and prosperity in the life of progeny.
Every Ekadashi has its own unique significance and benefits. Among these, one important Ekadashi is ‘Indira Ekadashi,’ which falls during the Pitru Paksha. This Ekadashi is believed to provide peace and salvation to the souls of ancestors.
In Ramayana, why did Mother Sita perform Pind Daan for King Dasharath on Phalgu River banks during exile? The ancient mystery of women’s Shraddha at Dasharath’s soul’s plea.
