Jal Mandir Bihar

Jal Mandir or Jal Mandir is located in Pavapuri (also known as Apapapuri meaning sinless city) in the Indian state of Bihar. It is a major pilgrimage site for Jains and the temple is dedicated to Mahavira, the 24th Tirthankara (religious preacher of Jainism), being the place of his cremation. Mahavira attained Nirvana (death) at Pavapuri in 527 BC. The temple was originally built by Mahavira’s elder brother King Nandivardhana within the pond, which is filled with red lotus flowers. It is one of the five main temples of Pavapuri, where the “Charan Paduka” or the impression of Mahavira’s feet is revered.
Legend
According to legend, Lord Mahavira attained nirvana (death) in Pavapuri. The place of his cremation became a pilgrimage site when large numbers of pilgrims brought a huge amount of soil from the spot, which was considered as sacred as Mahavira’s ashes, And thus a big pit was formed which got filled. The water formed a pond. A temple was built inside the pond to commemorate the place of his nirvana.

History

Mahavira was a prince of the Magadha Empire, then known as “Madhyam Pava” or “Apavapuri”, and became an ascetic at the age of 30. It was celebrated by Jains for four months during a religious ritual, called Chaturmas. The rainy season begins in the month of Ashadha (22 June to 22 July) and ends in the month of Kartik (October/November), Jain monks and nuns live in a sacred place and preach the religious teachings of Jainism. Local people.Mahavira also followed this practice and one such stay of his during this period was at Pawapuri. He breathed his last at the age of 72 on the night of the 15th day of Diwali Parakartik month. While the place of his Nirvana is commemorated by a temple called “Gaon Mandir” meaning “Village Temple” (also known as “Thal Mandir”), the place where he attained Nirvana, A temple built within a tank is known as a water temple.There is also another temple dedicated to Mahavira called “Samosharan”, where a statue of Mahavira giving his last sermon is installed; This temple is circular with a beehive shaped design.