Vishnupad Mandir

Vishnupada Mandir
Vishnupada Mandir Location in Bihar
Name
Proper name	Vishnupada Mandir
Geography
Coordinates	24°36′37″N 85°0′33″E / 24.61028°N 85.00917°E / 24.61028; 85.00917Coordinates: 24°36′37″N 85°0′33″E / 24.61028°N 85.00917°E / 24.61028; 85.00917
Country	India
State	Bihar
Location	Gaya
Culture
Primary deity	Lord Vishnu
Architecture
Architectural styles	Shikhara
History and governance
Date built	1787
Creator	Queen Ahilya Bai Holkar of Indore

Vishnupada Mandir (Hindi: विष्णुपद मंदिर) is an ancient temple in Gaya, India. It is a Hindu temple, dedicated to Lord Vishnu.

This temple is located along the Falgu River, marked by a footprint of Lord Vishnu known as Dharmasila, incised into a block of basalt. The Bhumihar Brahmins have been the traditional priests at Vishnupad Mandir in Gaya as Gayawal Pandas and in the adjoining districts like Hazaribagh. Several legendary saints as Ramanujacharya, Madhvacharya, Sankaradeva and Chaitanya Mahaprabhu have visited this shrine.

The construction date of temple is unknown and it is believed that Rama along with Sita had visited this place. The present day structure was rebuilt by Devi Ahilya Bai Holkar, the ruler of Indore, in 1787, on the banks of the Falgu river. A flight of 1000 stone steps leads to the top of the Brahmajuni hill, 1 km southwest of the Vishnupad mandir. Visitors prefer to go to the top of Brahmajuni hill see magnificent view of temple from top. There are many small temples near this temple.

Once a demon known as Gayasura, did a heavy penance and sought a boon that whoever see him should attain salvation (Moksham). Since salvation is achieved through being righteous in one's lifetime, people started obtaining it easily. To prevent immoral people from attaining salvation Lord Vishnu asked Gayasura to go beneath the earth and did so by placing his right foot on asura's head. After pushing Gayasura below the surface of earth, Lord Vishnu's foot print remained on the surface that we see even today. The footprint consists of nine different symbols including Shankam, Chakram and Gadham. These are believed to be weapons of the lord. Gayasura now pushed into earth pleaded for food. Lord Vishnu gave him a boon that every day, someone will offer him food. Whoever does so, their souls will reach heaven. The day Gayasura doesn't get food, it is believed that he will come out. Every day, one or the other from different parts of India will pray for welfare of his departed and offer food, feeding Gayasura.