Gaya Renamed as Gayaji: Bihar’s Ancient Holy City Undergoes Major Development

The historic city of Gaya in Bihar has been officially renamed as Gayaji, fulfilling decades-long demands from residents who have traditionally referred to the ancient town by this name their entire lives. Gayaji holds profound religious importance for both Hinduism and Buddhism. The city serves as a sacred destination where Hindus perform Pind Daan rituals at the Vishnupad Temple in memory of their ancestors. At the same time, the nearby Bodh Gaya marks the site where Gautam Buddha attained enlightenment.

According to Hindu religious texts, Gayaji is the same location where Lord Rama, an incarnation of Lord Vishnu, performed Pind Daan rituals for his father, Dasharatha. This historical connection reinforces the city’s significance as a pilgrimage destination. The town derives its name from the demon Gayasur, who, according to Hindu mythology, requested that the place become a site of moksha (liberation). This makes Gayaji unique as it is believed to be the only place where performing Pind Daan grants moksha to departed souls.

The renaming coincides with substantial infrastructure development aimed at transforming Gayaji into a major tourist destination. The government has allocated significant funds for two major corridor projects.

For the Vishnupad Corridor, Rs. 57.74 crores were allocated in the Union budget of 2024-25 to enhance facilities around the Vishnupad temple, which is referenced in sacred texts including Agni Purana, Vishnu Purana, Shrimad Bhagwat, and Ramcharitmanas.

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, while announcing the Union budget 2024-25, declared that under the Purvodaya initiative, there will be all-round development of the eastern regions, which cover Bihar, West Bengal, Jharkhand, Odisha, and Andhra Pradesh. She stated that the government is planning to transform the Vishnupad temple corridor at Gayaji and the Mahabodhi temple at Bodh Gaya in Bihar into “world-class pilgrim and tourist destinations.”

In the interview with a TOI reporter, Thiyagarajan SM, District Magistrate of Gayaji, stated, “Around 61 crore will be spent on constructing a 144-foot corridor from Ghughritand bypass through the cremation ground, providing direct access to Vishnupad temple. Plans include beautifying the temple and developing the surrounding area to improve pilgrim facilities.” He further added, “Given the state tourism department’s emphasis on preserving the temple’s heritage and boosting tourism, the centre has sanctioned this corridor.”

The corridor is being developed with a focus on infrastructure improvement and tourist accessibility, which will cover the development of amenities, including toilets and pathways. The Mahabodhi Corridor, aimed at improving access to the UNESCO World Heritage site Mahabodhi Mahavihara, is expected to boost international pilgrim and tourist arrivals in the state.

A significant ₹300-crore rubber dam project has been constructed to ensure year-round water availability for Pind Daan rituals. This initiative addresses the practical needs of pilgrims who require water for performing these sacred ceremonies throughout the year.

Gayaji’s strategic importance extends beyond religious tourism. The city is connected to the 1,670-acre integrated manufacturing cluster under development in the Dobhi block, which will be linked to the Amritsar-Delhi-Kolkata Industrial Corridor (AKIC). This connection will integrate Gayaji with six states: Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Jharkhand, and West Bengal. The city holds the distinction of being Bihar’s only location with international flight operations, making it a crucial gateway for international travellers to the state.

Recent data from the Gaya District Administration reveals remarkable growth in pilgrim numbers by 23 lakh pilgrims during the Pitri Paksha festival in 2024, from 15 lakh pilgrims in 2023 and 13 lakh pilgrims in 2022. The State Tourism Department reported that approximately 40 lakh domestic and international visitors flocked to the Mahabodhi Mahavihara in 2024.

Shambhu Nath Vitthal, Chairman of the Vishnupad Temple Management Committee (VTMC), emphasized the city’s unique position, stating that it is known for “pitra mukti” or moksha. He noted that Gayaji is probably the only place in the world recognized as the land of both “gyan” (knowledge) and moksha, referencing Bodh Gaya, where Buddha attained enlightenment.

The comprehensive development initiatives are expected to position Gayaji as an international spiritual and religious destination, boosting Bihar’s economy while preserving its ancient cultural heritage. The integration of modern infrastructure with traditional religious practices aims to create a sustainable model for heritage tourism in India.

The transformation of Gaya to Gayaji represents more than a name change; rather, it signifies a commitment to honoring local traditions while embracing modern development to serve millions of pilgrims and tourists from around the world.