GAYA, BIHAR, Jan 22:
Buddha, the sweet ’tilkut’ and the religious act of ‘Pind Daan’ are integral to the rich cultural heritage of Gaya, the second largest city in Bihar considered sacrimonious by Buddhists and Hindus all over the world.
Situated 100 kms south of Patna on the banks of Phalgu (or Niranjana) river, the city has historical importance in terms of the religious beliefs attached to it by millions of Buddhists and Hindus who visit here during different times of their religious services.
The city is considered to be the most important place in India for ‘Pind Daan’, a religious act believed to impart ‘Moksha’ (or liberation) to one’s ancestors, and is performed every year during the dark fortnight of Ashwin Month of the Hindu calendar that generally lies between September-October.
This period is considered to be highly inauspicious and people avoid marriages, business and other important activities. So much so that political parties too keep their major decisions on hold, as was evident when the UPA government postponed its much-awaited cabinet expansion during this period last year.
The period in which ‘Pind Daan’ is performed, is known as ‘Pitr Paksha’ and it ends before the 10-day Dussehra begins. During the Daan, apart from the religious offering, community service is also performed and donations made.
In the heart of the district — some 12 kms from the railway station — lies Bodhgaya, one of the holiest places for Buddhist pilgrimage. It is home to the famous Mahabodhi temple and the Mahabodhi tree where Gautam Buddha is said to have attained enlightenedment.
The Mahabodhi Temple was declared a UNESCO Heritage site in 2002.
According to historians, 250 years since the enlightenment of Buddha, Emperor Ashoka visited here and it was during this time that the original Temple (Mahabodhi) came into existence.
The temple boasted of an elongated spire crowned by a miniature stupa and a Chhatravali on platform. In the 19th century, it was later restored by Sir Alexander Cunningham and extensive renovation work took place to bring back its lost glory.
Apart from the Mahabodhi temple, there are several other big and small temples, prominent among which are the Thai temple, Karma temple, Daijokyo Buddhist temple, 80-feet temple, Nippon temple et al.
Different countries with Buddhist links have built their own temples here such as Japan, China, Burma, Bhutan, etc to name a few.
However, problems for the locals in the city persist.
“The cultural heritage adds great prestige to our district, though, we sometimes feel it would have been great if these rich Buddhist monasteries and temple trusts spent some more money on social service, like schools and colleges in the district; clearly they have not done enough”, local teacher and B.Ed student in Gaya University, Bambam Kumar said.
“Had it been done, the unemployment problem, at least in Gaya would have been solved to a great extent”, he said.
Kumar also went on to add that unlike the other religious places like Shirdi, Mathura and Golden Temple where the poor are fed in large numbers through ‘langars’, nothing similar happens here which is “certainly disheartening”.
Adding sweet tooth to the experience of the city is, ‘Tilkut’, a sweet savoury made of ‘Tila’ (sesame seeds) and sugar.
‘Tilkut’ and Gaya are inseparable, its an old saying that ‘Gaya is Tilkut and Tilkut is Gaya’.
“Tilkuts in Gaya are the best in the country and are just unbeatable”, local Tilkut vendor Vinod Keshri said.
“The (Tilkut) season begins around Chhath festival, (generally during November) and lasts till Makar Sankranti (mid January). Although there are 5 major and many other small vendors, but during the peak season even other sweet-shop owners turn into Tilkut makers”, he said.
“More demand and less supply has been a trademark of its popularity. However, it would be appreciable if the state government takes steps to promote its business, enhancing the popularity of Tilkut at both national and international level.
People know about the Litti-Chokha of Arrah and Litchi of Muzaffarpur, even in Europe and America; we want the same to happen with Tilkut”, Keshri added.
The sweet ‘Gazak’ available in Rajasthan and Delhi are somewhat similar to Tilkut. (PTI)
Trending Now
E-Paper
Follow our WhatsApp channel