New Delhi: Known for its religious significance, the town of Gaya Ji in Bihar witnessed a record footfall of devotees during the recently concluded Pitrapaksha, a religiously significant fortnight long occassion during which the followers of Sanatan Dharma perform rituals for the Moksh [Salvation] of Atman of their ancestors.
The religiously significant town, renowned for being a major site for performing Pind Daan, a Hindu ritual for the salvation of ancestors, witnessed a record arrival of over 3.1 million devotees between September 7 to 21.
Over 31,77,000 devotees reached Gaya’s Vishnupad temple and performed Pind Daan and Tarpan during the Pitrapakhsa mela, marking a significant increase of around one million as compare to the number of devotees who visited the sacred site in 2024.
As per the government, around 3 lakh devotees reached the Vishnupad temple on the last day of the two-week long occasion alone. The counting of the devotees, according to government was done with the help of the foot counting machine installed at the temple.
The sacred occasion this year also attracted over a dozen foreign nationals who participated in the mega religious gathering on the banks of Falgu river.
Earlier on September 20, Rashtrapati [President] Droupadi Murmu also visited Gaya Ji in Bihar to offer prayers at the Vishnupad Temple, an ancient Hindu shrine dedicated to Lord Vishnu.
The current structure of the temple renowned for holding the sacred footprint of Bhagwan Vishnu which stands enshrined in a rock was erected on the banks of the Phalgu River in 1787 by Maharani Ahilyabai.
As per ancient Hindu scriptures, it was here that Bhagwan Vishnu killed Gayasur by placing his foot on his chest. The temple and the town holds utmost significance for the followers of Sanatan Dharma since time unknown with millions of devotees visiting the holy town from across the globe every year during the Pitrapaksh.
