Gaya facts
- District
- Gaya district
- Population, 2011 Census
- 4,74,093
- Area
- about 90.17 sq km, about 111 m above sea level
- People
- 85.74% literacy
- PIN codes
- 823001 (Gaya Jail), 823002 (Gaya R.S), 804424 (Gayani Bigha), 841210 (Gayaspur)
- Places nearby
- Mangla Gauri Temple (Hindu Temple, 3 km), Chatta Masjid (congregational mosque, 5 km), Sujata Stupa (Buddhist stupa, 6 km), Mahabodhi Temple (Buddhist temple, 6 km)
- Local economy
- Gaya is the second-largest contributor to Bihar's economy after Patna. Rice, wheat, potatoes and lentils are the main crops, and household industries make incense sticks, tilkut and lai sweets, stonework, and woven textiles.
- History
- Gaya is named after the demon Gayasura. According to the Vayu Purana, his body became holy after severe penance and blessings from Vishnu.
- Education
- Gaya's institutions of higher education include the Central University of South Bihar, IIM Bodh Gaya, Anugrah Narayan Magadh Medical College and Magadh University.
Sources: Census of India 2011, Wikipedia, Wikidata, India Post and OpenStreetMap. Last checked 14 October 2026.