Jain Tirth - Bh. Mahavir

Location : 86 Kms From Patna, 35 Kms From Rajgiri & 11 Kms South East of Bihar Shareef, Bihar, Railway Station : Patna, Bihar

Pawapuri is the choicest of the Kalyanak (auspicious moments in a Tirthankar's life) places of Jainism. This is that great pious land where Lord Shree Mahavir Swami, the last Tirthankar of Jains, attained nirvana. Also, it was on the soil of Pawapuri that the Lord had delivered his first sermon. It bestowed enlightenment upon great souls like the great sage Indrabhooti Gautam. It is also a matter of great significance that the Lord selected the pious land of Pawapuri for laying down his mortal body. Continuously for sixteen sessions the Lord delivered his sermon before his 'nirvana'. Really, Bihar is that immensely fortunate state of India where the advent, enlightenment and the great departure of immortal personalities like Lord Mahavir and Buddha took place.

Pawapuri and Rajgriha are both near each other. Both these places are holy pilgrimages of India. Journey to this place is the journey to the welfare-bestowing lands which have touched the feet of Lord Mahavir and Buddha.

It has been the belief of Jainism that the 'Deepawali Parv' (festival of lights) had its auspicious beginning from this very place following the 'nirvana' of Lord Mahavir. The holy soil of this very Pavapuri had the good fortune of lighting the first light by way of introduction of 'Deepawali'.

After the 'mahanirvana' of Lord Mahavir where the last rites of his sacred body were performed, people carried the soil of that place on their heads to their houses and respectfully placed it in their places of worship. Just as the 'Kalash' (pitcher) gets filled up drop by drop. Even if people had taken only a few pinches of the soil a pit would have been formed. But since thousands of people had done so, it is not surprising that a pit was formed at that place. King Nandivardhan, elder brother of Lord Mahavir found a pond and at the centre of it a temple was constructed which became famous as 'Jal-Mandir' (Water temple). This temple may not be very big, but, built in the middle of the pond surrounded by lotus flowers, it looks very beautiful and fascinating. Thousands and lakhs of people every year come to this water temple and offer their reverential floral homage to Lord Shree Mahavir.

In the sanctum sanctorum of the water temple, the ancient foot-prints of Lord Mahavir have been auspiciously installed. Sitting near these foot prints for even ten minutes is sufficient to get rid of all the sins committed in this world. This place is so much energized by the halo of Lord Mahavir that even a visit to this place by a devotee is tantamount to acquiring the blessed company of an awakened an enlightened person.

Near the water temple, there is one more big temple of Lord Mahavir, where the Lord is worshipped according to 'Digambar' rites. On proceeding a little farther, a grand temple called 'Samavasaran Mandir' is seen. Believably, this is that holy place where the Lord had delivered his last sermon. There is yet another huge temple in the middle of Pavapuri village. This is considered to be that place where the Lord had laid down his earthly body for his 'mahanirvan'. The 'rajjukshala' of king Hospital, renowned in history, was situated at this very place. King Hastipal was a subordinate ruler of Ajatshatru, emperor of Magadh. Near this temple a huge 'dharmshala' has been constructed as the resting place of the travelers. Really, the holy land of Pavapuri conveys the message of peace, devotion, sacrifice and salvation to all the people.

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From : World Renowned Jain Pilgrimages, By : Mahopadhyaya Lalitprabh Sagarji M. S.

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