By Admin 
Bihar News: A cabinet meeting was held on Friday (May 16, 2025) under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Nitish Kumar. In the meeting, the biggest decision was taken on changing the name of Gaya city. Gaya of Bihar will now be called ‘Gaya ji’. The mythological story is told behind the name of Gaya. According to Hindu texts, there used to be a demon named ‘Gaiasura’ in Treta Yuga, who was absorbed in the penance of Lord Vishnu. Seeing the devotion of the devotee, Lord Vishnu asked Gaiasura to ask for a boon.
He told Lord Vishnu to live in my body, so that whoever sees me can destroy all his sins. That creature becomes a virtuous soul and he gets a place in heaven. After the boon, whoever sees him would have removed all his sufferings. Seeing the law of law ending, Brahma ji went to Gaiasura.
He said, “O supreme soul Gayasura! I have to perform Brahm-Yajna and I could not find anywhere like you. As soon as Gaiasur lay down, his body spread for 5 kos. All the gods and goddesses performed a sacrifice by sitting on his body.
Learn the name of ‘Gaya ji’ mythology
Even after the huge yajna, Gaiasur’s body remained unstable. Seeing this, the gods became worried. Devata made another plan. Everyone got one opinion and said to Lord Vishnu, if you also join the yagna, then Gaiasura’s body can be stable. It is said that Gayaasura became stable due to the action of Lord Vishnu. Seeing the sacrifice, Lord Vishnu asked Gaiasura to ask for a boon.
Gaiasura told Lord Vishnu that you make me a stone rock and establish it here. At the same time, I wish that you should be indirectly sitting on this rock with all the gods so that this place becomes a pilgrimage site for religious rituals performed after death. In such a situation, Vishnu said that you are blessed. You have asked for the boon of welfare even in the living state of the people and even after death, you are asking for a boon for the welfare of the dead souls. With this welfare feeling of yours, you will come here to perform Shraddha-Tarpan etc. and all souls will get relief from pain. Since then, Shraddha of Pitras is performed here.
Also read- Bihar’s historic jump in national sports, 620% medal increase in Khelo India, reached 15th position