One of the entrances to Andar Gaya locality where Gayapal pandas reside. Picture by Suman

Gaya, Sept. 21: Time and age, it seems, come to a halt in case of Gayapal Brahmins. Traditionally known for according sufal to devotees in Gaya who perform pinddaan rituals, the Gayapal Panda Samaj is still limited to a 3-km radius around Vishnupad temple in a locality called Andar Gaya.

These Gayapal Brahmins have not changed their way of life though many of them are now millionaires.

The Gayapal pandas own around 1,500 houses in the town, surviving on dakshina (fee) given by devotees who come here for holding salvation rituals for their relatives.

“There are about 12,000 Gayapal Brahmins in the town and ours is a very close community. We are carrying forward what our ancestors have been doing since time immemorial. Education and training in Vedas and scriptures are a must for every male member of the community,” said Mahesh Lal Gupt, a renowned member of the community.

During the Pitripaksh period every year, more than 3 lakh pilgrims from across the country and abroad visit Gaya and perform pinddaan rituals but round-the-year pinddaan is offered by hundreds of people everyday. And no pinddaan is complete without sufal accorded by Gayapal Brahmins of Andar Gaya — a part of the old city nestled in history, myth and traditions.

Sources said with time, things have changed considerably. Youngsters are getting contemporary education and changed their way of dressing but very few things have changed when it comes to their social liaisons and way of living.

“We still follow our customary way of living in big joint families. Marriages happen within the community only and very few people have broken free from the practice of assisting people offering oblation to their forefathers. My own brother is a practising doctor but he still stays with us and there are very few people in community who have taken up other professions,” Gupt added.

Gupt’s son, Gaurav, completed his engineering from a college in Delhi. However, the 22-year-old did not like the job he was offered upon completion of his BTech degree and returned to his roots. “I am now helping my father in assisting people offer pinddaan as he has over 125 people working under him. Doing this gives me satisfaction,” he said.

“Getting educated in modern subjects does not mean we move away from our century-old culture. We may spread our wings but we are rooted and value our traditions very highly,” Gaurav added.

His father said: “Why not? Our children understand and respect the legacy and heritage that we have preserved since ancient times. We believe in purity of blood and inculcate these values in them. Fortunately, no one in the community has strayed so far.”