Shri Pavapuri Tirth
Mulnayak
Nearly 18 cm. long, black-colored foot-idol of Bhagawan Mahavir Swami.
Tirth
It is in the center of the lake outside the Pavapuri village.
Historicity
In ancient times this tirth was a city of the Magadhas., Its ancient name was ‘Apapapuri’. This tirth is the place of the last monsoon sojourns of Mahavir Swami. Many kings and rich merchants came to hear the sermons of Bhagawan Mahavir. Bhagawan Mahavir preached and initiated many people. Since their doubts were removed, eleven Brahmins with 4400 disciples took diksa from Bhagawan. Bhagawan Mahavir appointed these eleven Brahmins as Gandharas. After giving his final sermons Bhagawan attained Nirvan on this land on the fifteenth day of the dark half of the month of Ashvin and on that dark night in the absence of Bhagawan, the gem of a lamp, people lighted innumerable lamps and in memory of that day, the whole city shines brightly with the light of thousands of lamps on the Diwali day even now. Nandivardhan, the elder brother of Bhagawan built a small temple and installed the foot-idols of Bhagawan in them at the place of his last sermons. The temple is known today as Jalmandir. Under instructions of His Holiness Acharya Vijayramchandrasuri Maharaj Saheb, a splendid samavasaran was built on the sixth day of the bright half of the month of Magh in the year 2013 of the Virak era. 87 cm high, four idols of Bhagawan Mahvir were installed in it. In front of the samavasaran in this temple, there are idols of Mulnayak Mahavir Swami, Gautam Swami and Sudharma Swami. Since this is the land of nirvana of the last Tirthankara Bhagawan Mahvir every particle of this land deserves to be worshipped. The pure atmosphere of pure atoms and molecules of this place gives spiritual peace.
Other Temples
The samvasaran of Bhagawan Mahvir, the new temple and a temple in the village are there.
Works of art and Sculpture
The style of construction of this Jalmandit in the center of the lake full of lotus flowers, is really wonderful and indescribable. The mere sight of lotus flowers reminds one of Bhagawan Mahavir. As soon as the devoted pilgrims enters the Jalmandir, forgets the outside atmosphere and becomes engrossed in God’s worship. The sacred and pure atmosphere of sadhana delights the heart. It is said that from the funeral place of Bhagawan, groups of gods and multitudes of men took away the ashes of Bhagawan’s body and those who could not get the ashes, took away the earth mixed with ashes and, therefore, a deep pit was formed there and the pit is this Jalmandir. The ancient idols in Svetambar and Digambar temples are also very spectacular. The new samavasaran built by the Acharya is also constructive and splendid.
Guidelines
The nearest railway station of Pavapuri Road is at a distance of 10 kilometers and the nearest big town of Bihar sharif is at a distance of 14 kilometers. Bus service and private vehicles are available. There are good boarding and lodging provisions in the village and near the samvasaran temple.
Trust
Shri Jain Svetambar Bhandar Tirth, Pavapuri, Dist : Nalanda, State : Bihar, India.