page_title: Gaya, India
section_title: History
hierarchical_section_title: Gaya, India / History
caption_attribution_description: Picture of Brahmayoni hill, or Gayasisa, where Buddha preached the Fire Sutta (Adittapariyaya Sutta). Gaya, Bihar, India.
context_page_description: Gaya is of historical significance and is one of the major tourist attractions in the southern part of the state of Bihar. Gaya is 116 kilometres south of Patna, the capital city of Bihar. It is the state's second-largest city, with a population of 470,839, and is the headquarters of Gaya district and Magadh division. The city is surrounded on three sides by small, rocky hills, with the Phalgu River on its eastern side.
  Gaya is sanctified in the Jain, Hindu, and Buddhist religions. Gaya district is mentioned in the great epics, the Ramayana and the Mahabharata. It is the place where Rama, with Sita and Lakshmana, came to offer pind-daan for their father, Dasharath, and continues to be a major Hindu pilgrimage site for the pind-daan ritual. Bodh Gaya, where Buddha is said to have attained enlightenment, and is one of the four holy sites of Buddhism. The Mahabodhi Temple complex at Bodh Gaya is a World Heritage site.
caption: Brahmayoni Hill, where Buddha preached the Adittapariyaya Sutta (the Fire Sermon).
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