Vishnupad Temple, Gaya
Vishnupad Temple (Sanskrit: विष्णुपद मंदिर, IAST: Viṣṇupada Mandira; lit. 'temple of Vishnu's feet') is an ancient Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu in Gaya, Bihar, India, located on the banks of Phalgu river. The temple is believed to be built upon the site where Vishnu had purportedly killed the demon Gayasura or pinned him underground. The temple features a 40-cm footprint purported to be of Lord Vishnu incised into a block of basalt, known as Dharmasila which was retained when the deity stepped on Gayasura's chest before pinning him underground.
| Vishnupada Temple | |
|---|---|
| Religion | |
| Affiliation | Hinduism |
| Deity | Vishnu |
| Location | |
| Location | Gaya |
| State | Bihar |
| Country | India |
Location in Bihar | |
| Geographic coordinates | 24°36′37″N 85°0′33″E |
| Architecture | |
| Type | Shikhara |
| Creator | rebuilt by Queen Ahilya Bai Holkar of Indore |
| Completed | rebuilt 1787 |
Atop the structure is a 50-kilo gold flag, donated by a devotee, Gayapal Panda Bal Govind Sen.
The Vishnupad temple is the center for Shraddha rites in Gaya.
The Brahma Kalpit Brahmins, who are also known as Gayawal Brahmins or Gayawal Tirth Purohit or Pandas of Gaya are the traditional priests of the temple from the ancient times. The legendary saints Madhvacharya, Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, Vallabhacharya have visited this shrine.