Bihar Cabinet Approves Renaming Of Gaya Town to ‘Gaya Ji’
Bihar Cabinet Approves Renaming Of Gaya Town to ‘Gaya Ji’
Patna: The historic town of Gaya in Bihar will now be officially known as “Gaya Ji,” following a decision by the state cabinet led by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar. The renaming, approved on Friday, reflects deep-rooted cultural and spiritual significance associated with the city.
The decision was part of a broader agenda where 69 proposals were discussed and cleared. Additional Chief Secretary (Cabinet) S. Siddharth confirmed that the General Administration Department’s (GAD) proposal to rename Gaya was among them.
पौराणिक, ऐतिहासिक एवं धार्मिक महत्व के मद्देनजर बिहार के गया शहर का नाम गया जी किया गया है। pic.twitter.com/TFj5gcts6N
— ANI_HindiNews (@AHindinews) May 16, 2025
Known for its prominence in Hindu rituals, particularly during the annual Pitrapaksha period when lakhs of devotees gather to perform pind daan for their ancestors, Gaya holds a revered place in Indian mythology and pilgrimage circuits. The name “Gaya Ji” is already widely used informally among locals and pilgrims, and the official renaming formalises this tradition.
The legend of Gayasur—a demon who was transformed into a sanctified being after receiving blessings from Lord Vishnu—is believed to be the origin of the town’s name. Texts like the Vayu Purana describe the demon’s penance and divine transformation, adding to the city’s mythological legacy.
Local leader and cooperative minister Prem Kumar, who also serves as the MLA from Gaya, expressed gratitude to the chief minister for accepting a long-pending public demand. He noted that efforts to rename the city had been underway for over a decade. In fact, the Gaya Municipal Corporation had passed a resolution in 2022 proposing the change to “Gaya Ji.”
