Gaganganja is also one of the great Bodhisattva among the group of eight Bodhisattvas. Gaganganja is either yellow or red in color. His symbol is Kalpa tree. In some instance Gaganganja is described as of golden yellow color. Gaganganja holds the vajra in his left hand while the right hand is pointed to the sky. In Tibetan Kanjur a special sutra dedicated to this Bodhisattva is extant with the name of Gaganganjasutra. According to Swyambhu legend Gaganganja is said to have appeared in Kathmandu valley to bless Prince Gokarna who was a great sinner who indulged in harsh and immoral speech with his father Vrisakarna. As the result, the king sent him into exile. The king himself could not bear the evil deeds of his son and passed away under great despair. His spirit was roaming as a ghost for the same reason. Gaganganja was not able to secure a happy rebirth. Later the prince also underwent torturous experience as that of hell realm in exile. Upon realizing his misdeeds, he later performed an act penance in Punya Tirtha near Gokarna. Gaganganja appeared in front of Gokarna and instructed him to perform necessary death rituals and offering ceremonies in honour of his deceased father Gaganganja told him that this act would definitely be helpful in securing a good rebirth to his deceased father. Since then Nepalese people are continuing to offer pinda dana to their deceased father in the day of Shravan Krishna i.e. new moon day July-August. A monument dedicated to Gaganganja still exists to this date in Gokarna area where hundreds of devotees perform Astamivrata and ritual offerings.

Gaganganj Statues