Gaya is situated about 92 kms. south of Patna and 15 kms. north of Bodh Gaya. Gaya is one of the most important pilgrimage places for the Hindus and Buddhists. This town derives its name from Gayasur, a demon who was an ardent devotee of Vishnu. Gaya lies between Pretshila and Ramshila hills and is washed by the shores of river Phalgu. Gaya is the city which Vishnu is said to have blessed with power to absolve all temporal sins in the same way like Varanasi. This place draws Hindus to the various sacred shrines where they offer prayers and perform the saraddha ceremony for their forefathers and take a dip in the holy river Phalgu. Here, cremations take place on the funeral pyres in the burning ghats along the river.