Pawapuri, also known as Apapuri (”the sinless town”), is a holy site for Jains, lying 38 kilometers from Rajgir and 90 kilometers from Patna, the capital of Bihar. This is a very pious place for Jains, all sins devout for a Jain here. Approximately 500 BC, Lord Mahavira, the last of the 24 Tirthankaras and one of the originator of Jainism, had his last breath here, and was cremated here around 500 B.C.



A place where Lord Mahavira achieved Moksha or Nirvana (Salvation from the endless cycle of life and death). People say his ashes was demanded so highly that a bulky amount of soil was taken out from the place of his funeral pyre that a water tank (pond) was created. Later on an exquisite marble temple, the Jalmandir, in the middle of a lotus pond, was built in, which is now a major pilgrimage spot for Jains. Another Jain temple, called Samosharan is also situated here, where the Lord Mahavira delivered his last teaching.





(1) How to go there:



(a) Air: Indian Airlines connect Patna to major cities of India.

(b) Rail: The nearest railhead is at Patna 90.kms.

(c) Road: A taxi or bus can be taken from major cities of Bihar to visit Pawapuri.



(2) What to see:



(a) Jalmadir,

(b) Samosharan,

(c) Rajgir Dance Festival,

(d) Chath Puja,

(e) Arts and Crafts



(3) Where to stay:



Tourists like to stay at Rajgir (15 km. from Nalanda). Tourists can stay at any of the three Tourists Bungalows of Bihar State Tourism Development Corporation Ltd.



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