Gaya City Map Poster

About Gaya

Gaya is located at . It has an average elevation of 55 metres (180 feet). India census, Gaya had a population of 478,921. Males constitute 53% of the population and females 47%. Gaya has an average literacy rate of 73%, higher than the national average: male literacy is 79%, and female literacy is 67%. In Gaya, 14% of the population are under 6 years old. The city was once called Rajagriha ("Rajagrha") after its ruler Raja Sudarshan (or Su-darsana) in ancient times. The name "Gāya" or "Gayā" derives from Sanskrit meaning ‘serene’ or ‘quiet’; it also refers to Lord Vishnu's abode Vaikuntha which resides within a pillar here – hence another name for this place being 'Vishnupad'.