Gaya Tour Packages
Gaya, on the Phalgu river in Bihar, is one of Hinduism's most important places for pind daan, the offering made for the peace of departed ancestors.
Gaya at a glance
- LocationBihar, India
- Time zoneIndian Standard Time (UTC+5:30)
- Driving sideLeft
- Calling code+91
- CurrencyIndian rupee (INR)
- LanguagesHindi, Maithili, Bhojpuri
- Ideal stay1–2 days
- Getting thereGaya International Airport (GAY)
Best time to visit: October to March; Pitru Paksha in September or October
Top Gaya travel packages
A few of our Gaya itineraries in different travel styles. Every one is private and can be changed to suit you.
Essential tips for travelling to Gaya
UPI and cards are widely accepted in cities and hotels; keep some cash for small shops, rural areas, hill towns and tips.
Tipping is not compulsory; around 5–10% in restaurants and a small tip for drivers and guides is appreciated.
Drink bottled or filtered water; it is cheap and easy to find.
112 (all emergencies)
Languages spoken: Hindi, Maithili, Bhojpuri.
Gaya and Patna have airports. Bodh Gaya is about 15 km from Gaya, and Rajgir and Nalanda are 2–3 hours away by road.
Winter is peak season for Buddhist pilgrims, especially around December–January teachings; book early.
Dress modestly and walk clockwise around the stupas at Bodh Gaya.
Pind daan rites are led by hereditary pandas who keep family records; tell us your family's home district and we arrange the right one.
General guidance. Local rules and services change; we confirm details for your dates.
Where is Gaya?
Who should visit Gaya?
Plan your Gaya trip
Everything you need to know about Gaya
Gaya, on the Phalgu river in Bihar, is one of Hinduism's most important places for pind daan, the offering made for the peace of departed ancestors. The Vishnupad Temple holds a footprint of Lord Vishnu in rock, and families come all year, especially during the fortnight of Pitru Paksha in September and October. Bodh Gaya is 15 km away.
Highlights include Vishnupad Temple, Phalgu river ghats, Akshayavat and Mangla Gauri Temple. Local food worth trying: Tilkut (sesame sweet), Litti chokha and Anarsa. Plan 1–2 days here; it suits families performing ancestral rites. Our Gaya itineraries run from 3 to 7 days and every one can be changed to suit you.
When to go
October to March; Pitru Paksha in September or October. Cool months are most comfortable; Pitru Paksha is the busiest and most auspicious time for pind daan.
How to reach Gaya
- By air: Gaya International Airport (GAY)
- By rail: Gaya Junction railway station on the Delhi–Howrah line
- By road: About 3 hours by road from Patna
View all Gaya packages
Private, customisable itineraries with prices quoted for your dates, hotel category and group size.
6D / 5NPrayagraj · Varanasi · GayaKashi, Prayag & Gaya Tristhali Yatra
The three holy places for ancestral rites: a dip and shraddh at the Triveni Sangam, Kashi Vishwanath and the ghats, then pind daan at Gaya's Vishnupad Temple and the Akshayavat.
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3D / 2NGayaGaya Pind Daan Yatra
Two nights in Gaya for pind daan on the Phalgu ghats, the Vishnupad Temple and the Akshayavat with a family panda, plus the Mahabodhi Temple at Bodh Gaya.
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7D / 6NRameswaram · Prayagraj · Varanasi · GayaRameswaram–Kashi Yatra
The traditional Tamil Kashi yatra: begin at Ramanathaswamy in Rameswaram, carry its sand to the Triveni Sangam, pray at Kashi Vishwanath and perform pind daan at Gaya, then bring Ganga water home to Rameswaram.
View itinerary →3 itineraries
More places in Bihar
Top things to see in Gaya
GayaWhere pind daan rituals are performed
GayaSacred banyan tree where the rites conclude
Cultural experiences in Gaya
Heritage and landmarks
Experiences
- Darshan at Vishnupad Temple
On the menuFood to try
- Tilkut (sesame sweet)
- Litti chokha
- Anarsa
Gaya travel tips
Visa and entry
Indian citizens do not need a visa; carry a government photo ID such as Aadhaar or a passport for hotels and flights.
Health and safety
Travel insurance is a good idea, especially for adventure activities. Carry prescription medicines in their original packaging with a copy of the prescription.
Currency and tipping
The currency is the Indian rupee (INR). Tipping is not compulsory; around 5–10% in restaurants and a small tip for drivers and guides is appreciated.
Best time to visit
October to March; Pitru Paksha in September or October. Cool months are most comfortable; Pitru Paksha is the busiest and most auspicious time for pind daan.
Getting around
Gaya and Patna have airports. Bodh Gaya is about 15 km from Gaya, and Rajgir and Nalanda are 2–3 hours away by road.
Local etiquette
- Dress modestly at temples, churches and mosques, and remove footwear where asked.
- Ask before photographing people, and follow photography rules at religious sites and museums.
- Dress modestly and walk clockwise around the stupas at Bodh Gaya.
What to pack
Pack modest clothing that covers shoulders and knees for religious sites and comfortable walking shoes.
Phone and internet
Mobile data is good in towns and cities.
Budget
We don't publish fixed prices because the season, hotel category, flights and group size change the cost. Your written quote lists exactly what is included, so you can compare like for like.
Gaya FAQs
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Destinations near Gaya
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Ranchi, the capital of Jharkhand, sits on a cool plateau surrounded by waterfalls, hills and lakes.
JharkhandDeoghar
Deoghar is one of India's great pilgrim towns, home to the Baidyanath Dham temple, one of the twelve Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva.
Uttar PradeshVaranasi
Varanasi is one of the oldest living cities in the world and the holiest place in Hinduism.
Uttar PradeshSarnath
Sarnath, 10 km from Varanasi, is where the Buddha gave his first sermon after his enlightenment, setting the Wheel of the Dharma in motion.
Uttar PradeshPrayagraj
Prayagraj stands at the Triveni Sangam, where the Ganga, the Yamuna and the mythical Saraswati meet.
Uttar PradeshAyodhya
Ayodhya, on the banks of the Sarayu, is revered as the birthplace of Lord Rama.
Plan your Gaya holiday
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