Pawapuri-“A holy site for Jains’
Pawapuri is a place that is well-known as a holy site for Jains. Also, it is the site where Bhagavan Mahaveer spent his last days. An alluring water temple and Jain Mandir are in the middle of the lake. It is a town in the Bihar state’s Nalanda district. This town was the twin capital of Mall Mahajanpad and later became a part of the Magadha and Ajatshatru. They both was a devotee of Lord Mahavir. During the rule of Ajatshatru, Pawapuri town’s king is well known as Hatipal.
Since Lord Mahavira was cremated here, the town was named Apapuri, a sinless town. After the funeral, a rush occurred while collecting the ashes, which led to removing a soil layer. So, thereby results in a pond’s formation. Later, this pond was transformed into a lotus pond, and the Jalmandir marble shrine was erected in its middle. Apart from this, the place is rich in culture and has high heritage value. Some traditional festivals celebrated here include Rajgir Dance Festival and Chhath Puja. Various classical dances are performed at the Rajgir Dance Festival.
How to reach Pawapuri
You can reach here through any transport medium like by air, train, and bus. The closest airport is situated around 101 km from Patna. Also, the nearest railway station is around 90 km from the town. You can also take a bus, taxi, or car to Pawapuri.
The Ancient Town of Learning
Situated in Bihar, Nalanda is an ancient city renowned for education and boasts of its first university. Several civilizations, especially the Maurya Dynasty, influenced Nalanda; during the Middle Ages, this place became well-known as a hub for education. The little city is a hub of Buddhism and Jainism and is still important for spiritual development. It is named after ‘Nalam’ or lotus, and ‘Da,’ meaning giving away. Also, Nalanda is the birthplace of Sariputra and has a stupa to his name. It is an amazing combination of numerous architectural styles influenced by various religions and ideologies. Apart from this, it is one of the most enchanting features observed in the ancient town today.
Top places which are the most visited area of Pawapuri in Nalanda
Nalanda University
The UNESCO world heritage site in South Bihar is considered the oldest university in the world. Also, it is known as Nalanda Mahavira in time; its origin dates back to the 3rd century. It is about 85 km from Patna and is one of history’s greatest and oldest universities. In 1915, the Indian Archaeological Survey discovered the location. According to legend, the university library held so many books and manuscripts that it continued to burn for six months after the entire building caught fire.
Surya Mandir
image source : bhaskar
Surya temple is located 75 km away from PATNA in the Nalanda district. It is an ancient temple dedicated to CHHAT FESTIVAL for the Bengal people. This temple is one of India’s oldest temples, famous for its Chatt pooja, a Bengali festival. This temple is dedicated to the god Surya, the idol of India’s Hindu region. The Chatth Puja is held here twice a year in Vaishakha and Kartika’s Hindu months and is celebrated enthusiastically. The temple’s architecture is amazing in this temple, and it shows its history.
Nav Nalanda Mahavihara
Nav Nalanda Mahavihara is an institute which is located in Nalanda, Bihar. Rajendra Prasad founded it in 1951 to revive Nalanda’s historic seat of learning. It is the centre of higher studies in Pali and Buddhism, founded to develop the education system in Nalanda. The present campus of the Mahavihara is approximately 100 km from the metropolis of Patna, the Ruins of the ancient University of Nalanda. It can be found near the northern bank of the historic Lake Indrapuskarani, which is largely located on its southern bank. Nava Nalanda University offers many courses for their students where they develop the education system in Nalanda. Nava Nalanda University became a Deemed university in 2006, which Dr Rajendra Prasad established.
Kundalpur
Kundalpur is a village in the Nalanda district in the Indian state of Bihar. This place is famous for Kundalpur Jain temple is situated in the Nalanda district, where this beautiful Jain temple commemorates the birth of Bhagwan Mahaveer, who was said to be born in Kundalpur. There are multiple temples and a Dharamshala in the complex of Kundalpur. This temple is 7-8 km from the Nalanda market, where a peaceful environment exists. This place is a pilgrim centre for Jains because of the Kundalpur Jain temple. Two lakes near the temple complex are called Dirga Pushkarni and Pandava Pushkarni.
Best time to visit the place
Tourists can visit the site between October to March is the best time for exploring this place. Summer is too hot, and the place receives heavy rainfall in rainy seasons. So it is not an advisable time as it destroys your weekend plans. The temple offers exquisite activities and the site’s culture, enhancing your stay there. To learn more about the site, you must visit the place to enjoy nature’s beauty that allure your soul.
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A holy site for Jains
Pawapuri is a place that is well-known as a holy site for Jains. Also, it is the site where Bhagavan Mahaveer spent his last days. In the middle of the lake is an alluring water temple and Jal mandir. It is located in the eastern Indian state of Bihar’s Nalanda district. This town was the twin capital of Mall Mahajanpad and later became a part of the Magadha and Ajatshatru. They both was a devotee of Lord Mahavir. During the rule of Ajatshatru, Pawapuri town’s king is well known as Hatipal. Since Lord Mahavira was cremated here, the town was named Apapuri, a sinless town. After the funeral, a rush occurred while collecting the ashes, which led to removing a soil layer.
Jal Mandir
Jal mandir, or water temple, is situated in the middle of the lake of Pawapuri in the Indian state of Bihar. It is Lord Mahavira’s destination, a pilgrimage destination of Jains. The temple was initially constructed by King Nandivardhan, Mahavira’s older brother, inside a pond with red lotus blooms in Pawapuri, Bihar. This place is located in the holy city of Pawapuri in the Nalanda district in the Ganga Basin, which is 108 km away from Patna, the capital of Bihar. This place is famous for its beautiful temple and peaceful nature of this temple. The temple shines bright and sublime at night, and it looks amazing.
Nalanda
Nalanda has been popular since ancient times and is the most famous Mahavihara and modest pilgrims centre. The spirituality, history, culture, architecture, and tourism it offers are all vibrant. One of the world’s oldest and best residential universities and a work of art is located in this city. Even though it is in ruins, the entire complex is attractive and is frequently visited by tourists. There are “chaityas” or temples to the west and “viharas” or monasteries to the east. A delightful little museum is also located within the complex, home to several authentic Buddhist stupas, Hindu and Buddhist bronzes, coins, terracotta jars, a sample of burnt rice, etc.
