Vishnupada Temple

Location

Vishnupada Temple is the main Hindu temple in Gaya and located on the banks of the Phalgu river. The temple was renovated in the year 1787 by Maharani Ahalya Bai Queen of Indore. Vishnupada Temple has a 30 mtr high tower. Here devotees worship the lotus footprint of Lord Vishnu and perform the sraddha ceremony to liberate their ancestors. Close to Vishnupada temple there are other shrines the presiding deities are Adi Gadadhar, Saksi Gopala and Krishan Dwarka.

Vishnupad Temple is sacred among Hindus and is dedicated to Lord Vishnu. The city has developed around the temple. According to believers and religious texts, the footprints inside the temple are those of Lord Vishnu. The temple is built in Shikhara style and was reconstructed in the year 1787, by Ahilya Bai Holkar of Indore.

The temple complex is quite big and houses many images of different Gods and Goddesses. There are many other shrines in and around the temple. Another important temple is of Lord Nrisimha, the god which according to Hindu mythology was a man-lion incarnation of Lord Vishnu. The temple and statue is intricately carved and designed and is a major tourist attraction at Gaya.