- Vishnu
Vishnupaadha Mandir
- Chand Chaura,Bihar
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Overview
Vishnupaadha Mandir is an ancient temple in Gaya, India, dedicated to Lord Vishnu. This temple is located along the Falgu River. It is marked by a footprint of Lord Vishnu known as Dharmasila, impressed into a block of basalt. The Bhramkalpit Brahmins have been the priests at Vishnupaadha Mandir in Gaya. Several legendary saints have visited this shrine.
About the Temple
It is believed that the temple was built with the footprints of Lord Vishnu in the centre. In Hinduism, this footprint marks the act of Lord Vishnu subduing Gayasura by placing his foot on his chest. Inside the Vishnupaadha Mandir, the 40 cm long footprint of Lord Vishnu is imprinted in solid rock and surrounded by a silver plated basin. The height of this temple is 30 meters. It has 8 rows of pillars beautifully carved, which support the pavilion. The shrine is built of large gray granite blocks joined with iron clamps. The octagonal shrine faces east and the pyramidal tower rises up a 100 feet. Within the temple stands an immortal banyan tree where the final rituals for the dead take place.
Legend and Stories
The date of construction of the temple is unknown. It is believed that Rama and Seetha had visited this place. The present day structure was built by Devi Ahilyabai Holkar, in 1787. A flight of 1000 stone stairs leads to the top of the Brahmajuni hill, 1 km southwest of the Vishnupaadha mandir. Devotees prefer to go atop the Brahmajuni hill to see the magnificent view of temple.
Once a demon known as Gayasuraa, performed a heavy penance and got a boon that whoever see him should attain salvation, hence people started obtaining it easily. To prevent wrong people from attaining salvation, Lord Vishnu asked Gayasuraa to go beneath the earth and did so by placing his right foot on his head. After pushing Gayasuraa below the surface of earth, Lord Vishnu's foot print remained impugned on the surface that we see even today. The footprint consists of nine different symbols like Shankam, Chakram and Gadham. Gayasuraa now pleaded for food. Lord Vishnu gave him a boon that every day, someone will offer him food. It is believed that, the day Gayasuraa doesn't get food, he will come out. Every day, people pray for welfare of the departed and offer food in turn feeding Gayasuraa.
Accessibility
Airport
The nearest airport is Patna, 7 kms west of the city centre.
Railways
The railway station is located in the centre of the Patna.
Road
The bus stand is at Mithapur at the outskirt of the Patna city.
Temple Address
Vishnupaadha Mandir,
Chand Chaura,
Gaya,
Bihar,
Pincode - 823001
Significance
Devotees visit this temple to seek fulfillment of the following:-
- To attain salvation
Shlokas
Achutham Keyshavam Rama Narayanam Krishna Damodaram Vasudevam Harim Shridharam Madhavam Gopika Vallabham Janaki Nayakam Ramachandram Bhajey
Meaning -Oh Lord who cannot be perished, who also has names like Keshava, Rama, Damodara, Narayana, Sridhara, Madhava, Krishna, Ramachandra the beloved of Janaki, let me say your name regularly.
Vasudeva Sutham Devam Kamsa Chanoora Mardhanam Devaki Paramanandham Krishnam Vande Jagathgurum
Meaning -I bow to you O Krishna, the ultimate guru, Devaki and Vasudeva's son, and the destroyer of Kamsa and Chanur.
Adharam Madhuram Vadanam Madhuram Nayanam Madhuram Hasitam Madhuram Hridayam Madhuram Gamanam Madhuram Mathuraa Dhipate Rakhilam Madhuram
Meaning -Meaning - Sweet are Your lips, sweet is Your face, sweet are Your eyes, sweet is Your smile, sweet is Your heart, sweet is Your gait, O Lord of Mathura, everything about You is sweet.
Alokya Mathur Mukha Madarena Sthanyam Pibantham Saraseeruhaksham Sachinmayam Devam Anantha Roopam Balam Mukundam Manasa Smarami
Meaning -I think of this Balamukundan as the one who looks lovingly at his mother's face while taking milk from her, who has eyes similar to the red lotus, who is the embodiment of truth and intelligence and other forms.
Timings
The temple is open from 05:00 am to 7:00 pm.