Gadara, Jordan
Coordinates: 32.655718, 35.678003
Exorcism of the Gerasene Demon was the miracle of the pigs performed by Hz. Isa عليه اسلام.
As said in the christians texts, after having crossed the Sea of Galilee, Hz. Isa عليه اسلام arrived at Gadara, finding a man possessed by a legion of demon or demons who terrorized the city.
Hz. Isa عليه اسلام ordered the demons to leave the body of the man and transfer themselves to the body of pigs that grazed on the hills.
It is said that there were about two thousand pigs there. After his command, the demons entered the pigs and then suddenly ran down the hills, at last drowning themselves in the sea, freeing the city and the possessed man from the subjection of the demons.
The exact location of the miracle is unknows but the most common consensus is that the miracle to took place near the town of Gergesa, the modern kursi, close by the eastern shore of the Sea of Galilee.
Another candidate for the location of the miracle is Gadara ruins located in Umm qais.
Ruins of Gadara
Historic Umm Qais is the ancient city of Gadara; known as one of the most brilliant ancient Greco-Roman cities of the Decapolis.
Gadara was known as the center of Greek culture in the region during Hellenic and Roman periods.
It also has biblical significance in that it is the spot where Hz. Isa عليه اسلام performed the Miracle of the Gadarene Swine (cast out the devil from 2 mad men into a herd of pigs).
Umm Qais highlights include the amphitheater, mausoleum, and the series of old tunnels found by the main gate. If you choose to go through the latter you may end up with a few scrapes.
Know This
Follow the steps near the outdoor cafe at the Museum site for good views of the Gadara
Dont spend hours here if going on to Jerash, allowing an hour max gives a great overview
You may need your passports at two military checkpoints as its near a base and of course near the Syrian border. At time of writing this area was considered safe and excluded from all governmental travel warnings
Note: Some of the information in this article comes from Christians sources.
