or Boodhi Gayah, a town of Hindustan, in the British district of Behar, under the jurisdiction of the lieutenant-governor of Bengal. It was one of the most celebrated places of Hindu pilgrimage, having been the birthplace of Boond or Buddha, one of the supposed incarnations of the Deity. Many extraordinary ceremonies are performed here by those who frequent the sacred spot. Among these many of the female pilgrims, especially widows, are in the practice of shaving their hair, and devoting themselves from that time to a life of sanctity. The whole business is under the superintendence of Brahmans, who permit any person to enter the temple and approach the idol, which is that of a man sitting cross-legged, and so very rudely carved as to indicate a very remote antiquity. The town consists of two divisions, one of which is appropriated to the priests and their attendants. The number of pilgrims resorting annually to Gayah has been estimated at 100,000, though in some years this amount has been doubled. According to a recent return, the number of houses amounts to 9165, and the population to 48,451. Distant N.W. of Calcutta 265 miles. E. Long. 85° 5', N. Lat. 24° 49'.