Overview

• The Bihar state cabinet, led by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, approved the renaming of Gaya as 'Gaya Ji' during a meeting on May 16, 2025.
• The move acknowledges Gaya's deep-rooted cultural and religious heritage, including its significance in Hindu rituals like Pitrapaksh pind daan.
• The renaming follows a 2022 resolution by the Gaya Municipal Corporation, which initially proposed the change to reflect local sentiments.
• Prominent political leaders, including JDU's Sanjay Kumar Jha and BJP MP Ravi Shankar Prasad, have publicly praised the decision as a tribute to Sanatan culture.
• Gaya, home to landmarks like Vishnupad Temple and Bodhgaya, is steeped in mythology, with its name linked to the demon Gayasur, who was blessed by Lord Vishnu.