The Bihar government made the decision to rename Gaya as “Gayaji.”
Patna: ‘Gaya Ji’ will be the new name for Gaya town in Bihar. Chief Minister Nitish Kumar presided over a state cabinet meeting when the decision was discussed.
Following the meeting, State’s additional chief secretary S. Siddharth briefed the media, explaining that the decision was made with consideration for local views as well as the town’s historical and religious importance.
Sanjay Kumar Jha, National Working President of the Janata Dal United (JDU), praised Chief Minister Nitish Kumar for renaming the town on X.
“I am thankful to the honorable 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,'” he said.
BJP MP Ravi Shankar Prasad praised the ruling as well, stating that it emphasizes Gaya’s religious importance.
“It is a source of pride and joy that the state government decided to rename Gaya as ‘Gayaji.’ In addition to highlighting Gaya’s religious importance, this move also demonstrates the NDA government’s devotion to Sanatan culture and the preservation of sacred sites,” Prasad wrote on X.
The town of Gaya is well-known for its religious importance. Every year during “Pitrapaksh,” thousands of people go from all over the world to Gaya in order to present “Pind Daan” to the ancestors’ spirits.
The ancient Magadh Empire included Gaya.
The city is situated on the Falgu River’s bank. It is surrounded on three sides by the hills of Brahmayoni, Ram-Shila, Shringa-Sthan, and Mangala-Gauri. The Vishnupad Temple is Gaya’s most alluring attraction. Vishnu’s footprint is carved into a slab of basalt at the temple, which is situated on the Falgu River’s bank. According to popular belief, Lord Vishnu murdered Gayasur by stepping on his chest.
Gaya, one of the most significant and revered Buddhist pilgrimage sites worldwide, is also home to Bodhgaya. Here, under the Bodhi Tree, a banyan tree, Gautama gained the ultimate wisdom necessary to become Buddha.