Pawapuri Jal Mandir of Bhagwan Mahavir Near Nalanda

Pawapuri Jal Mandir is a beautiful Jain temple located close to Nalanda. It literally means a temple standing in the water.

Niravan Sthali of Bhagwan Mahavir

Bhagwan Mahavir was the 24^th Jain Teerthankar who lived 5-6 centuries before the common era. He was born in Vaishali, also in Bihar. At Pawapuri, he attained Nirvana on Kartik Amavasya that we also celebrate as Deepawali. This makes Pawapuri one of the holiest places for Jain community. No wonder that it attracts pilgrims from around the country.

Bhagwan Mahavir was born to Kshatriya parents Siddhartha and Trishla as Vardhman. At the age of 30 he left the world to meditate and at 42, he attained enlightenment. After this he came to be known as Mahavir and started guiding followers on the path of Ahimsa or non-violence among other virtues.

Pawapuri is also known a Apapapuri or the place where there are no sins or Papas. Another interpretation is that those who pray here get rid of all their sins – something that we associate with Tirtha Sthalas or sacred spaces.

Visiting Pawapuri Jal Mandir

We drove to Pawapuri from ancient Nalanda Ruins on our way to the New Nalanda University.  We first saw the lovely lake with lovely balustrades surrounding it. Slowly the temple appeared before us, as if emerging out of the water. In pristine white, it looked as if it has just taken a fresh bath.

We skirted the lake to reach the entrance arch of the temple. Bang opposite the arch a new Jain temple is being built in the quintessential white marble.

We passed by the arch in red sandstone that has a small board saying just – Jal Mandir. This led us to the long pathway connecting the gateway to the Jal Mandir. It looks narrow but is broad enough for few people to walk side by side. This pathway is also made in red sandstone with lovely latticed panels on either side.

As you walk, your eyes see the temple in white at the end of it. Surrounding you in the water are birds that keep flying around. Many visitors offer them food and they do all the acrobats for that food.

Jal Mandir

Inside the temple, there are three pairs of padukas or footprints. The middle one belongs to Bhagwan Mahavir. The one on the left belong to his first disciple Indrabhuti Gautam. The right footprints belong to his fifth disciple Sudharma Swami.

This temple marks the exact spot where Bhagwan Mahavir was cremated.

Making of the Lake

The priest at the…