Gaya Mahaathmiyam was mentioned in 100th adhyayam of Vayu Purana as well as many references in other Pouranic Scriptures. Gayasura once started to perform austerities and such were the powers of his tapasya that the demigods began to suffer. They went to Narayana and asked him to save them. Narayana agreed and appeared before gayasura, asking him to cease his activities and accept a boon. He asked to grant a boon that “I” may become the most sacred of all tirthas. Gaya is a sacred place which has got lot of importance in Perfoming Sraddha . 
