Gaya Ji: a guide to pind daan, Vishnupad and planning your visit

Gaya Ji sits on the banks of the Falgu River in Bihar. For Hindus it is one of the most important places to fulfil duties to the ancestors. Families come here from across India, and from abroad, to perform pind daan and shradh so that their departed find peace and moksha.

At the centre of the town is the Vishnupad Temple, which holds the footprint of Lord Vishnu set in stone. Around it are the vedis, the sacred places where pinds are offered: the Falgu ghats, Akshay Vat, Pret Shila, Sita Kund and others.

About a half-hour drive away is Bodh Gaya, where the Buddha attained enlightenment. Many families visit it after the rites.

• Temple hours: Vishnupad is open from 6:00 AM to 9:00 PM. See Vishnupad Temple timings.
• Best time: pind daan can be done any day; Pitru Paksha (usually September or October) is the most observed and the busiest time. See Pitru Paksha in Gaya.
• Dress: white or light clothes for the rites.

In Gaya town

• Vishnupad Temple. Darshan at Lord Vishnu's footprint, and the heart of the pind daan rites.
• Falgu River. The first pind of a Gaya pind daan is offered here, in sand, following the tradition of Mata Sita's offering on its bank.
• Akshay Vat. The undying banyan tree, where the final pind is offered.
• The other vedis: Pret Shila, for those who died an untimely death; Ram Shila; Sita Kund; Vaitarani Tirth; Kaag Bali; 16 Vedi; Panchtirth; and Koop Gaya. They are visited as part of the longer rites.

In Bodh Gaya

MandirMay arranges a cab visit to the Mahabodhi Temple, the Bodhi Tree, the 80-feet Buddha, the Metta Buddharam Temple and the Thai Monastery. It is a calm half-day after the solemnity of the rites, and elders can rest in the car between stops.

Going on to Deoghar

Many families combine Gaya with darshan at Baba Baidyanath Dham in Deoghar, Jharkhand. MandirMay arranges a cab from Gaya Ji to Deoghar. See the Deoghar guide for darshan there.

One day: the core pind daan. Arrive the evening before, by air into Gaya or by road from Patna. In the morning, perform the 1-day pind daan at the Falgu River, Vishnupad Temple and Akshay Vat with a Gayawal pandit. In the afternoon, rest, or visit Bodh Gaya if the family has the energy.

Two days: pind daan with Vaitarani, and Bodh Gaya. Day one: the 2-day rite begins with the sankalp and offerings at the Falgu, Vishnupad and Akshay Vat. Day two: the ritual at Vaitarani Tirth in the morning, then an afternoon in Bodh Gaya.

Three days: the 11 vedis. The 3-day pind daan covers 11 sacred places, including Pret Shila, Ram Shila, Sita Kund, Kaag Bali, 16 Vedi, Panchtirth and Koop Gaya. Keep the afternoons free for rest, as the rites take time and the vedis are spread across the town. On the last afternoon, visit Bodh Gaya or set off for Deoghar.

If your family needs a rite for ancestors who may not be at peace, add a Tripindi Shradh or Pitru Dosh Nivaran on one of the days. To understand each step before you go, read the pind daan vidhi guide.

Where to stay: most families stay near the Vishnupad Temple so the morning rites are close by. MandirMay's Gaya bookings cover the rites and transfers, so book your room separately, early if you are coming in Pitru Paksha.

• Pind daan in Gaya over 1, 2 or 3 days, led by Gayawal pandits, with all puja samagri included.
• Tripindi Shradh for three generations of ancestors, and Pitru Dosh Nivaran puja.
• Gaya Airport pickup and drop, for up to 4 or 6 people, straight to your hotel or the Vishnupad Temple ghat.
• Intercity cabs: Patna (airport or railway) to Gaya Ji and back, and Gaya Ji to Deoghar.
• Bodh Gaya sightseeing by cab, for up to 4 or 6 people.
• A MandirMay representative who meets your family on the day and stays with you between the vedis.

How booking works: choose your services and date on the Gaya Ji page. You see the price for your date before you pay. Pay an advance through Razorpay, and the rest before your visit. We confirm on WhatsApp, and tell you beforehand if any special dress, such as a white dhoti-kurta, is needed.

If no one in the family can travel, an online pind daan is performed in Kashi by pandits on your family's behalf.

• By air: Gaya Airport is about 10 km from the Vishnupad area. Many families also fly into Patna, which has more flights, and drive to Gaya. MandirMay arranges both the Gaya Airport pickup and the Patna to Gaya cab.
• By train: Gaya Junction is about 3 km from the Vishnupad area and is well connected to major cities.
• By road: Gaya is connected by road to Patna, Bodh Gaya and Deoghar.

Once you are in Gaya, the lanes near the Vishnupad Temple are narrow and busy, so the last stretch to the temple is often on foot.