‘Gaya Ji’ : Bihar Cabinet Gives Spiritual City Its Sacred Name
by Apurva
Gaya: In a landmark decision reflecting deep-rooted religious sentiment and historical significance, the Bihar cabinet on Friday approved the renaming of the ancient city of Gaya to “Gaya Ji.” The move, spearheaded by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and proposed by the General Administration Department, was among 69 proposals cleared during the cabinet meeting.
Gaya, renowned globally as a sacred pilgrimage site—particularly during the annual Pitrapaksh mela—welcomes lakhs of devotees who perform ancestral rituals, or pind daan. The spiritual weight of the city is grounded in Hindu mythology, which narrates that the demon Gayasur attained salvation through Lord Vishnu’s blessings, a tale preserved in the Vayu Purana.
Cooperative Minister and local MLA Prem Kumar, a long-time advocate of the name change, expressed gratitude to the Chief Minister, noting that he had been pushing for this recognition for more than a decade. The Gaya Municipal Corporation had already passed a resolution endorsing the name change in 2022.
The renaming to “Gaya Ji” is seen not only as a nod to the city’s sanctity but also as a fulfillment of a longstanding public demand rooted in tradition and devotion.
