Mahavirswami Water Temple Pawapuri - Famous and Sacred Pilgrimage Centre of Jainism.

 

The Jal Mandir or Water Temple is situated in Pawapuri in the Indian state of Bihar. It is a major pilgrimage destination of Jains and the temple is dedicated to Lord Mahavira, the 24th Tirthankara (religious preacher of Jainism), which marks the place of his cremation. Mahavira attained Nirvana (death) in Pawapuri in 527 BC. The temple was originally built by King Nandivardhan, elder brother of Mahavira, within the pond which is filled with red coloured lotus flowers. It is one of the five main temples in Pawpuri, where the "Charan Paduka" or foot impression of Lord Mahavira is deified.

 

 

Mahavira was a prince of the Magadha Kingdom then known as "Madyama Pawa" or "Apawapuri", and became an ascetic at the age of 30. During one of the religious observances, called the chaturmas observed by Jains for four months of rainy season. During the chaturmas the Jain monks and nuns remain at one holy place and preach the religious teachings of Jainism to the local people. Mahavira also observed this practice and during this period his one such stay was at Pawapuri. On the Dipawali night on the 15th day of the month of Kartik he breathed his last when he was 72 years old. According to the legend, lord Mahavira attained Nirvana (died) at Pavapuri. The place of his cremation became a pilgrimage centre when a large number of pilgrims took out a very large amount of soil from the site, which was considered as sacred as ashes of Mahavira. And thus created a huge pit which got filled up with water and became a pond. To commemorate the place of his nirvana a temple was built within the pond.

 

 

Jal Mandir, meaning a "temple in water" is built in white marble within the pond; the pond measures 84 bigha (One bigha is 5 acres, area is 16.8 acres). The water surface of the pond is covered with lotuses. This architecturally elegant temple in the form of a "Vimana" or chariot has the footprint of Mahavira for worship. A 600-foot-long (180 m) bridge built in stone connects the temple with the bank of the pond. The temple shines bright and sublime during a moonlit night. The pond has many species of fish which are fed by the priests and devotees. There is also another temple here dedicated to Mahavira called "Samosharan" where a statue of Mahavira delivering his last sermon is deified; the temple is circular in shape with beehive shape design.

 

 

Mahavirswami Water Temple is a famous and sacred pilgrimage centre of Jainism, is located in the holy city of Pawapuri in the Nalanda district in the Ganga Basin. It is 108 kilometres away from Patna, the capital city of Bihar which is the nearest airport. Rajgir the nearest convenient railway station is 38 kilometres away. A taxi or bus can be taken from Patna, Rajgir, Gaya or other major cities of Bihar to visit Pawapuri.