Portrait of Jain Religion

Author(s): Narendra Jain
Publisher: Prakrit Bharti Academy

Page 58

and his purified soul left his body and achieved complete liberation. He became a Siddha, a pure consciousness, a liberated soul, living forever in complete bliss. Mahavir attained Nirvan at Pavapuri in Bihar after delivering his last sermon (deshana). Jains celebrate it as Diwali, festival of lights. Since his Nirvan, Jalmandir with Mahavir's footprints at Pavapuri has achieved great sanctity as a place of pilgrimage. It is said that his last sermon lasted for 48 hours in which he covered key aspects of Jain religious perceptions in 55 Adhyays (sections) in his final wrap up.
Bhagwan Mahavir, Patan, Gujarat
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A Portrait of Jain Religion