The Vishnupada Temple is located in Gaya. Vishnupad temple is one of the major temple in Gaya, This Shikhara style temple was reconstructed in 1787, by Queen Ahilya Bai Holkar of Indore, on the banks of the river Falgu (Phalgu). The temple is built of gray granite blocks joined with iron clamps.
This is one of the greatest Vaishnavaite Temples and is the most sacred Pinda Daana Vedi - (site of offerings for the ancestors) in Gaya.
Inside the temple, the 40 cm long `footprint' of Vishnu is imprinted in solid rock and surrounded by a silver plated basin. There is a gold flag and couple of Kalash made of gold has been embedded at the top of the temple which use to always glitter. A 30 meter high octagonal tower shadows this temple.
Near the Vishnupad temple there are a number of other minor shrines
- Shiva and Lakshmi adjacent to the Sabha Mandap.
- Temples of Gadhadhara
- Temple of Narasimha
- Temple of Gayeswari
- Tank called Surajkund
- Temple of Sun. (Surya Mandir)
- Brahmani Ghat
- Temple of Pitamaheshwara |
