Pretshila in Gaya frees a soul from a ghostly body. Those people who die as a result of accidents or suicide get a ghostly body. Pind-Daan offering done at Pretshila releases them from the ghost body and paves the path of their liberation.
Preta Giri is located 10 kms away from the religious town of Gaya. This is one of the most serene spots in Gaya which seldom attracts visitors except those simple-minded souls who wish to offer shraddha for their departed souls with dedication and sincerity.
As I approached the holy mountain, I was greeted with the agori babas who sat there in silence. Then a huge tree which had photos of those people who had either committed suicide or died in an accident. Nonetheless the feeling was very sacred and not scary. I then continued to climb the steps – almost 600 in numbers until I found myself amidst the clouds to relish the awesome view of Gaya city and surrounding.
Pretshila is a big rock located atop the Preta Giri hill in Gaya. It is also known as Preta Parvat and Preta Kala. Though the hill was originally called Preta Parvat, it became Pretshila after Lord Rama and Lakshmana performed the Pinda-Daan ceremony for Maharaja Dasharatha here.
Pretshila is the highest hill amongst the seven hills that surround Gaya. The Vayu Purana states that there were 360 vedis or places in Gaya to perform the pinda-daan offering originally. Among them, only 48 exist now. And among them, Pretshila is one of the most important sites apart from Vishnupad Temple, the banks of Falgu River, etc. In the Vayu Purana, it is described as one of the Pancha-Tirthas.
People afflicted by ghosts are too brought here to become free from its influence. The Deities of Lord Brahma, Lord Vishnu and Lord Shiva are present in front of the Pretshila rock.
The pinda-daan ceremony is conducted near the Brahma Kunda built at the base of the hill, and then, the Pinda is brought up to the hill for completing the process. The old clothes or any personal objects of the dead are tied on a tree branch after the completion of the ceremony.
The top of the Preta Parvat is an ideal place to see the mesmerizing beauty of Gaya dham. Devotees climb up the hill which is 1000 ft above sea level with firm faith that their relative would get liberation from their ghostly existence.
Lila of Pretshila
As per the Vayu Purana, Pretshila is part of the angushta i.e. the thumb of the Tirtha Vichitra Shila who was blessed by Lord Narayana to be the most sacred stone slab in this universe and which would have the presence of all the devatas atop it. The same shila was placed on the head of Gayasura, from whose name the city of Gaya came into being.
The Tirtha Vichitra Shila has its feet extended all the way till the Pretshila, which was concealed by a mountain called Prabhasa. It was called Prabhasa as it was illuminated by the rays of Sun. The thumb of the shila came out of the Prabhasa Mountain by piercing through it. The devata of that pierced thumb is known as Prabhasesha.
One side of that thumb is known as Pretshila. Not far away from here is the sacred Mahanadi River who had requested Lord Ramachandra to take bath in her waters when He came to offer shraddha to Dasharatha Maharaja. Because Lord Ramachandra took bath here along with Mother Sita, this place came to be known as Rama Tirtha. One can have darshan of the impression of the lotus feet of Lord Ramachandra here imprinted on a shila.
The Preta Parvat was established by Yamaraja on the left foot of the Dharma Shila or Tirtha Vichitra Shila. This hill was sinful in nature due to which it was known as the Preta Parvat. Lord Yamaraja had kicked it to the location as it stands today. When it came in touch with the Dharma Shila, all its sins vanished and it became one of the vedis for offering the pinda-pradana in Gaya Kshetra.
Holy Spots on Pretshila
Pretshila – it is situated atop the hill. Devotees offer the pinda of their ancestors at this rock. It is a big rock behind the temple.
Footprint of Lord Brahma – there is a footprint of Lord Brahma at this place. Apart from the Vishnupada temple, there are footprints of Lord Brahma and Lord Shiva in Gaya. One can see three golden lines within the impression of Brahma’s feet.
Brahma Kunda – Apart from the Deities of Lord Brahma, Lord Vishnu and Lord Shiva at the base of the Pretshila rock, there are temples of Lord Brahma and Lord Yamaraja. There is a Brahma Kunda next to these temples.
The Deities of Lord Rama, Sita Devi and Lakshmana are also present at the top of the hill. The Pinda-Daan ceremony is performed in two big open rooms present here.
How to Reach Pretshila
The Ayodhya-Kashi Yatra conducted by Tirtha Yatra is recommended if you wish to have a wonderful and truly divine experience.
Being situated near Gaya, you have to reach Gaya dham to visit Pretshila. There is no dearth of transportation facilities in Gaya to reach the Pretshila. You can try out these modes to reach Gaya –
By Road: Buses and private taxis are available from Patna and other cities in neighbouring states.
By Rail: The Gaya Railway Junction serves the city through its connection to important metros such as New Delhi, Kolkata and Mumbai. Direct trains between Gaya and other important cities such as Varanasi, Ranchi, Lucknow, Kanpur, Jagannath Puri, Nagpur, etc. are also available.
You can catch a private taxi to the temple from Gaya railway junction.
By Air: The Jayprakash Narayan International Airport at Patna is the nearest airport 122 kms away. You can fly in here and use the rail or road route to reach the temple.
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