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Pavapuri 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 Pavapuri 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 Pavapuri 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.
Pavapuri 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 'Deepavali 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 'Deepavali'.
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, so also the water oozes out of the pot 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 Mahav-r.
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
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| SR No. | 006600 |
| Book Title | Jain Pilgrimage |
| Original Sutra Author | N/A |
| Author | Lalitprabhsagar |
| Publisher | Prakrit Bharti Academy |
| Publication Year | 2000 |
| Total Pages | 158 |
| Language | English |
| Classification | Book_English |
| File Size | 23 MB |