Vishnupad Temple Gaya, also known as the “temple of Vishnu’s feet,” is a sacred Hindu temple in Gaya, Bihar, India, dedicated to Lord Vishnu. It is located on the Phalgu River’s banks. The temple is said to have been built on the site where Lord Vishnu killed or imprisoned the demon Gayasura.

Lord Vishnu is said to have left a 40-cm footprint in the temple after stepping on Gayasura’s chest to defeat him. The footprint has been engraved into the Dharmasila basalt block. Vishnupad Mandir is a Hindu temple located in Gaya, Bihar, approximately 4 kilometres from Gaya Junction Railway Station and 10 kilometres from Bodhgaya Bus Station.

Story/Legend of the Vishnupad Temple Gaya

A demon by the name of Gayasura once performed severe penance and prayed for the blessing that anyone who sees him will find salvation (Moksham). Since salvation is obtained by living a righteous life, it became simple for people to obtain. Lord Vishnu ordered Gayasura to descend into the earth to stop immoral people from finding salvation, and he did so by putting his right foot on the asura’s head. The footprint left by Lord Vishnu after pushing Gayasura below the earth’s surface is still visible today. Nine different symbols, including Shankam, Chakram, and Gadham, make up the footprint. These are thought to be the Lord’s weapons.

Gayasura, who had just been pushed into the earth, begged for food. Lord Vishnu blessed him with the promise that he would receive food every day. Whoever does this will have their souls go to heaven. It is thought that Gayasura will emerge on the day when he is denied food. Every day, someone from a different region of India will offer food to Gayasura and pray for the well-being of his departed loved ones.

History of Vishnupad Temple Gaya

Since Lordess Sita and Lord Ram are thought to have visited this location, it is unknown when the temple was built. On the banks of the Falgu River, Devi Ahilya Bai Holkar, the ruler of Indore, rebuilt the current building in 1787. Ahilyabai Holkar, who had built the temple, had her officers search the area for the best stone for the temple, and they ultimately determined that Jaynagar’s Munger black stone was the best option. The mountains were very far from Gaya and there was no proper road, so the officers found another mountain nearby Bathani (a small village in the Gaya district) where they could easily carve and transport the stone.

The artisans were brought by the officers from Rajasthan. In the Bihar village of Patharkatti, which is also a popular tourist destination, they began carving the temple. Near the site of the Vishnupad temple, the final temple was built in Gaya. Many craftsmen left the temple after it was finished being built, but some of them chose to remain in the Pattharkatti village itself. This location has been designated by the Bihar government as one of the state’s top tourist attractions. A view of Gaya City and the popular Vishnupad temple can be had from the top of the Brahmajuni hill, which is southwest of the Vishnupad mandir. Near this temple, there are numerous smaller temples.

The architecture of Vishnupad Temple Gaya

It is believed that the temple was built with Lord Vishnu’s footprints in the centre. This footprint represents Lord Vishnu subduing Gayasur by placing his foot on his chest in Hinduism. The 40 cm-long footprint of Lord Vishnu is imprinted in solid rock and surrounded by a silver-plated basin inside the Vishnupad Mandir. This temple is 30 metres tall and has 8 rows of beautifully carved pillars that support the pavilion. The temple is made of large grey granite blocks that are joined together with iron clamps. The octagonal shrine faces east. Its pyramidal tower rises 100 feet. The tower has sloping sides with alternately indented and plain sections.

The tower has sloping sides with alternately indented and plain sections. The sections are angled to form a series of peaks that are joined at the top. The immortal banyan tree Akshayavat stands within the temple, where the final rituals for the dead are performed. A gold flag weighing approximately 51 kg adorns the temple’s roof. A silver-coated hexagon railing known as a (pahal) can be found inside the temple.

Facts about Vishnupad Temple Gaya

• The ancient Vishnupada Temple is located in Gaya, India. It is a Hindu temple, in which Lord Vishnu is worshipped.
• Queen Ahilyabai reconstructed the temple in 1787. A lovely sacred site on the banks of the Phalgu River, surrounded on three sides by rugged rocks and the fourth by water.
• The Vishnupad temple is said to be the exact site where Lord Vishnu had pressed his feet on Gayasura’s body, leaving the imprint of his feet on the rocky surface.
• The Vishnupad temple is said to be the exact location where Lord Vishnu pressed his feet against Gayasura’s body, leaving a footprint on the rocky surface.
• The Shikara style has influenced the temple’s architecture. The main shrine, with a 100-foot-tall Vimana and pillared Mandapa, is the temple’s focal point.
• In the month of Pitripaksha, a special fair is held on the temple grounds. Pitripaksha is a time when Hindus honour their ancestors, particularly through food offerings. During Pitripaksha, a Pind Daan performed by family members of the deceased soul is beneficial.
• There is a description of this temple in Ramayana also. Being the base of religion, this temple is also known as Dharamshila.
• It is believed that seeing Lord Vishnu’s feet in this temple after praying to the ancestors brings relief from all sorrows.
• Wen Tsang, a Chinese traveller, described Gaya as a famous Hindu city in 629-634 CE.

Famous Festivals In Vishnupad Temple Gaya

• Chitra Poornima is a major occasion for celebration in the temple.
• Vaikuntha Ekadashi – Vaikuntha Ekadashi celebrated during the Hindu month of Aghan(December–January) is the major festival celebrated in the temple.
  
• Sri Ram Navami – On this day a special yatra is organised by the temple committee which takes part in the city rath yatra.
• Deepawali – This festival is a major Hindu festival that is celebrated with great joy and enthusiasm.

How To reach Vishnupad Temple Gaya

Vishnupad Temple Gaya is located in Gaya City near the Phalgu River.

By Air– The nearest airport to Vishnupad Temple is Gaya Airport which is located at a distance of about 7 km away from the temple.

By Train– The nearest railway station from Vishnupad Temple is Gaya railway station which is located at a distance of about 3 km away from the temple.

By Road– Gaya bus Stop which is just 2 km away from the temple. From here you can easily reach this temple by using local transport services or a taxi or also by your vehicle.

Also, Read – Badrinath Temple