106- DIVYA DESAMS-GAYA- 8

Gaya kshethram is about 2 miles from Gaya Railway Station.

Gaya is a very important place for every  Sri Vaishnavan. He has been given a final opportunity to fulfill his duties towards his departed parents-even if he has failed to do so till that date.

Gaya is significant to Hindus from the point of view of salvation to the souls of ancestors (a ritual called pindadanam). According to Ramayana,. Lord Rama came to Gaya along with Sita for pitrupaksha (or to perform pindadanam). He went to the river palguni to take bath.

In  the meantime his father Dasaratha came to the place of Sita and told her that he is very hungry and wanted food. Seetha told about Rama has yet to perform the Shrartha for him and has gone to the river. unable to bear his hunger, Dasaratha requested Seetha to offer Food for him. Sita offered him the food in the shape of mud heap. Satisfied Dasaratha returned back.

Later Rama came and started to perform the Shratha and invited his father for food. Dasaratha did not come. Sita told what happened but Rama refused to believe. Sita called palguni River, Tulasi plant etc  to witness but they kept mum-only the Banyan tree came forward to tell the truth.

Both the river and the tulasi plant earned the wrath of Seetha. That is why the river palguni is always dry and the tulasi grows in nasty place.

Since the Akshya Vadam told the truth, any one  performing  pinda Danam here- his ancestors reach Swargam straight away.

 

Vishnu padam at Gaya

There are many places in Gaya for the pilgrims to perform the Shrartha for the departed souls like Narayana Ashramam, Sankara Madam etc.

Gaya inhabitants readily come forward to participate in the pithru yagnam and after finishing the pilgrims take the pindam  to Vishnu padam and offer pinda danam.

The story of Gaya goes thus:

Gayasuran performed a big Tapas by invoking lord Vishnu and requested the lord that his body should be pure and those who touch his body are straightaway taken to vaikundam. Seeing that he is unable to do his duty Yama Dharman approached Vishnu.

As per the direction of Vishnu Brahma performed yagjam over the body of Gayasuran. Gayasuran’s head started to shake and disturbed the ceremony. Lord Vishnu came down and put one leg over the head of Gayasuran and the shaking stopped and Brahma completed the ceremony.

Gayasuran requested Lord Vishnu that since Brahma, Sivan and Vishnu-all three are there-any one who offer Pindam to the place where Vishnu kept his leg-his ancestors of 21 generations should get Moksham.

Sri Vaishnavan who performs Shratha here should leave one fruit, one leaf and one vegetable and should not take these till the end of his life.

Inside the temple, the 40 cm long `footprint' of Vishnu is imprinted in solid rock and surrounded by a silver plated basin.

The temple is situated on the banks of the Phalgu River, Gaya. The closest airport is located in Patna, four hours north.
The Poorva Exp leaves Kolkata (Calcutta) (Howrah Station) at 9.15 am (Wed, Thurs, Sun) and arrives in Gaya at 3.50 pm. The night Doon Exp leaves Kolkata (Calcutta) at 8 pm, reaches Gaya at 6 am, and then continues on to Haridwar.

lord: Sudhadarar.

Theertham: Uttara Palduni

Sthala Tree: Akshaya vadam-banyan tree.

Vimanam: Vaikunda vimanam.

A word of caution to pilgrims.

There are many pandas waiting to grab you both at the railway station and at the river. You should seek the registered Seva samitis and ashrams for arranging the Shrathams for you.

 

R.Jagannathan.