Vishnupad Temple
Vishnupad Mandir is called so as it is believed to feature a 40-cm-long footprint of Lord Vishnu in a basalt rock. As the story goes, Lord Vishnu killed the demon Gayasur at this place by stamping his foot on his chest. After Lord Vishnu pushed the demon under the earth with his foot, his footprint was retained in a rock. Though the origin of the temple is unknown, it is believed that Ahilya Bai Holkar, the queen of Indore, had the present octagonal shrine built in 1787.
The temple is located on the banks of the Falgu River and draws devotees from across the country. Within the courtyard of the complex, lie other temples dedicated to Lord Narasimha and Lord Shiva in the avatar of Phalgwisvara. These temples are significant places of Hindu worship.
History of Vishnupad Temple
Situated on the banks of the Falgu River, Vishnupad Temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu. According to the historical records, the existence of the Vishnupad temple goes back to the period of Samudragupta, who ruled over a vast empire during the 5th Century CE.
The inscriptional source for this evidence is based on the Basarh Seal discovered in Vaishali. Further evidence is found in the Mehrauli Pillar inscription of King Chandragupta II. The inscription mentions this King as a devotee of Lord Vishnu and records the installation of 'dhvaja' or pillar of Vishnu on the Vishnupad Hill. A 9th-century inscription commemorates the dedication of a house for ascetics at Vishnupad by the Pala king Narayanapala.
A record dated 1058 CE mentions that Vishvarupa, the ruler of Gaya built the Gadadhara temple, which forms part of the Vishnupad temple complex. Though the origin of the temple is unknown, the present octagonal structure was built by Rani Ahilya Bai Holkar, the queen of Indore, in 1787.
Legend of Vishnupad Temple
The Vishnupad temple is said to be the exact site where Lord Vishnu had pressed his feet on Gayasura's body, leaving the imprint of his feet on the rocky surface. According to the legend, a demon named Gayasura attained the boon after a heavy penance.
According to the boon, anyone who looked at him can attain salvation. Due to this indiscriminate action, the concept of Karma and its effect was becoming redundant. To prevent this, Lord Vishnu pushed Gayasura below the surface of the earth by placing his foot on his chest. Gayasur adjured him for food, Vishnu then said that he will not die of hunger and that whoever will offer him food will get salvation.
Hence, this is the reason why people go there to do 'Pind-Daan' for their loved ones. It is believed that the day Gayasur doesn't get his food will be the day of his return to the world. The imprint of the Lord's foot, measuring 40 cm in length, is visible in the temple and pilgrims worship it daily.
Architecture of Vishnupad Temple
The temple's architecture is influenced by the Shikara style. The core part of the temple consists of the main shrine with a tall Vimana, 100 feet high, and a pillared Mandapa. The Shrine faces east and the interior is octagonal. As the name suggests that the temple houses about 40 cm long footprint of Lord Vishnu known as Dharmasila that is enclosed by a basin made of silver plates.
This footprint also has various symbols that are associated with the attributes such as conch, disc, and mace of Lord Vishnu. Also, the temple houses shrines of deities like Lord Narasimha and Lord Shiva.
A special fair takes place on the premises of the temple in the month of Pitripaksha. Pitripaksha is a time when Hindus pay respects to their ancestors, especially with food offerings. During Pitripaksha, a Pind Daan by family members of the dead soul is fruitful.
