Gaya

Gaya (gī'u) [key], city (1991 pop. 294,427), Bihar state, E central India. The region is sacred to Buddhist and Hindu pilgrims, who visit the temple of Vishnupad [Sanskrit,=Vishnu's footstep]. Bodh Gaya, the site of the Buddha's enlightenment, is 6 mi (10 km) to the south. The city, a district administrative center, has road, rail, and air transportation. There are processing industries for cotton, jute, sugar, and stones. Tobacco and betel leaves are traded.

The Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia, 6th ed. Copyright © 2007, Columbia University Press. All rights reserved.

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