VISHNUPAD TEMPLE GAYA

As its name suggests, the majestic Vishnupad Temple is dedicated to the Hindu god Lord Vishnu and houses a 40 cm long footprint of the Lord, which is sheltered by a silver plated basin. This footprint signifies the act of the Lord subduing Gayasur into the surface of the earth by placing his feet on his chest.

Inside the Vishnu Temple, you can also find several other shrines, dedicated to Lord Phalgwisvara and Lord Narasimha. Built back in 1787, Vishnupad Temple is one of the most important places of worship for the Hindus in Gaya and one of the many famous places to visit in Bihar.

Timings: 6.30 AM to 7.30 PM

Location: Vishnupad Temple is located on the banks of the Phalgu river in Gaya, Bihar.

Historical Facts:
- The Vishnupad Temple has a footprint of Lord Vishnu incised into a basalt block and known as Dharmasila.
- The date of the original construction of the temple is not yet known. According to popular mythological beliefs Lord Rama had visited this place with Mata Sita.
- The present shrine was remodelled in 1787 by the ruler of Indore, Devi Ahilya Bai Holkar.
- For the construction of the temple, Ahilya Bai Holkar had sent her officers to fetch the best stone of the region and they returned with Munger Black Stone.
- As there wasn’t any good road and the mountains were located far away from Gaya, the officers of Ahilya Bai Holkar found another mountain near the village of Bathani to carve and easily get the stones to Gaya.
- Highly skilled craftsmen were brought from Rajasthan to build the Vishnupad Temple, keeping the footprint of Lord Vishnu in the centre.

Architecture:
- The 30 meters high Vishnupad Temple features 8 rows of carved pillars that support the pavilion.
- This east-facing octagonal temple is made of huge blocks of grey granite attached together by iron clamps.
- The 100 meters tall pyramidal tower features sloping sides with alternately plain and indented sections that are set in such a way that they make for an array of peaks joined at the top.