The Vishnupad Temple, located in Gaya, Bihar, India, is a revered Hindu temple dedicated to Bhagavan Vishnu, where the holy feet of Vishnu are worshipped. The temple has a rich history that spans centuries.
The original construction date of the temple remains
unknown, shrouded in the mists of time, with history suggesting that Bhagavan
Sri Rama and Sita visited the site during the Ramayana period. The present-day
structure, however, was rebuilt by the illustrious Devi Ahilya Bai Holkar, the
ruler of Indore, in 1787. This reconstruction was a monumental effort, with
Ahilyabai Holkar personally overseeing the project and sending her officers to
find the best stone for the temple. After an extensive search, they chose
munger black stone from Jaynagar, a town known for its quality stone.
The logistical challenges of transporting the stone to Gaya
led the officers to discover a suitable mountain near Bathani, a small village
in the Gaya district. Craftsmen from Rajasthan were brought in to carve the
temple in Patharkatti, a village that eventually became a significant tourist
destination in Bihar. Once the individual components were ready, they were
assembled at the Vishnupad temple site in Gaya. While many craftsmen returned
to their native places after the temple's completion, some chose to settle down
in the Patharkatti village.
The Vishnupad Mandir is a striking structure, standing 30
meters tall with eight rows of beautifully carved pillars supporting the
pavilion. Built with large gray granite blocks jointed with iron clamps, the
octagonal shrine faces east. The temple's pyramidal tower rises to a height of
100 feet, featuring sloping sides with alternately indented and plain sections,
creating a series of peaks joined at the top. Inside the temple, a 40 cm long
footprint of Lord Vishnu is imprinted in solid rock, surrounded by a
silver-plated basin.
Within the temple premises, there is the immortal banyan
tree known as Akshayavat, where the final rituals for the departed are
performed. On top of the temple, a gold flag weighing approximately 51 kg
proudly waves. Inside the temple, a silver-coated hexagonal railing, also known
as "Garv ghiri" or "pahal," adds to the sacred ambiance.
The Vishnupad Temple stands as a testament to both ancient
Hindu religion and the more recent historical efforts of Devi Ahilya Bai
Holkar, reflecting the enduring spiritual significance of the site in the
hearts of devotees.