Patna: In a significant move, the state government on May 16 announced the renaming of Bihar’s ancient town of Gaya to ‘Gaya Ji’. The announcement was made after the state cabinet led by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar approved the renaming of the historic town in a meeting held on Friday.
Located at a distance of around 100 kilometers from the state capital Patna, the town of Gaya is known for its religious significance. Hundreds and thousands of devotees visits the town during the Pitra-Paksha in Aashin month (August-September) to offer prayers and perform rituals related to Pind-daan (a ritual/worship done for the soul of departed ancestors) since time unknown.
According to the officials, the decision was taken in view of the local sentiments and the town’s historical and religious significance.
Notably, the Gaya Municipal Corporation had also passed a resolution to rename the town of Gaya to ‘Gaya Ji’ in the year 2022.
Hailing the announcement made by the government, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP and former Union Minister Ravishankar Prasad said that the decision reflects the commitment of the NDA government towards preservation of religious places associated with the Sanatan culture.
“The decision of the state cabinet to rename Gaya as ‘Gayaji’ is a matter of welcome and pride. This decision not only further highlights the religious significance of Gaya but also reflects the NDA government’s dedication towards Sanatan culture and commitment to the preservation of religious places,” Prasad wrote on X.
Meanwhile Janata Dal United (JDU) National Working President Sanjay Kumar Jha too posted on X, expressing his gratitude to CM Nitish Kumar for renaming the town.
“I am thankful to the honourable Chief Minister from the bottom of my heart for this important decision of changing the name and hearty congratulations and best wishes to all the residents of ‘Gayaji’,” said Jha in a post on X.
A part of the ancient Magadh Empire, the holy town of Gaya is located on the bank of Falgu River. The town has an ancient temple of Bhagwaan Vishnu known as the ‘Vishnupad temple’. The current structure of the temple was erected in the late 17th century under the patronage of Rani Ahilyabai. The temple has footprints of Bhagwaan Vishnu incised into a block of basalt which according to the devotees belongs to the Treta Yuga.
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