Pind Daan

Pind Daan or post death rituals history in Bodhgaya-Legend of Gaya ji pind daan: Gaya finds mention in the great epics, Ramayana and Mahabharata. Rama along with Sita and Lakshmana visited Gaya for offering PIND-DAAN to their father Dasharatha. In Mahabharata, the place has been identified as Gayapuri. About the origin of the name ‘Gaya' as referred to in VayuPurana is that Gaya was the name of a demon (Asura) whose body was pious after he performed rigid penance and secured blessings from Vishnu. It was said that the Gayasura's body would continue to be known as Gaya Kshetra.

Falgu River: The Pind Dan starts from Falgu River. It has an interesting story that when Lord Ram came to Gaya with Sita for Pind Daan, Sita cursed Falgu River due to disobedience on its part and due to the curse Falgu River lost its water and was replaced by vast stretch of sand dunes. However, water can found all round the year by digging in its dry sandy riverbed and thus is also called “Antah Saliya”.

Vishnu Paad Temple : Vishnu Paad Temple has foot prints of Lord Vishnu as Lord Vishnu killed the demon Gayasura here.

Mangla Gauri: Mangla Gauri shrine is has two rounded stones that symbolize breasts of mythological Sati (first wife of Lord Shiva). An old and sacred temple, it is located in Chand Chaura area of Gaya town and is visited by hundreds of devotees.

Akshay Bat: This is the last important place where pinda dan is done. It has been given a boon by Sita that it cannot die or be destroyed. As per Ved Puran, Lord Krishna will stay under its shadow when whole world drowns in water. Those who do their Pind Daan here, their ancestors go straight to Dev Lok.