Pawapuri, also known as, Apapuri, the sinless town, is an extremely sacred Jain Pilgrimage tourist center. It was here that Lord Mahavira, the founder of Jainism attained salvation. In Pawapuri Lord Mahavira breathed his last around 500 B.C. and was cremated.

It is said that the demand for his ashes was so great that an enormous amount of soil was removed from around the funeral pyre, creating the water tank. Today here stands a white marble temple, the "Jalmandir", later built in the middle of the tank to consecrate the Lord’s Nirvana (Salvation ). Samosharan, another Jain temple, is also located here.
How and When to Visit :
It is located just 38 km from Rajgir and 90 km from Patna. Both Patna and Rajgir are well connected by rail and road. Patna is well linked with major cities of India by air.
The best time to visit Pawapuri is between October and March.

Pawapuri is located at a distance of 38 kilometers away from Rajgir. While Rajgir and Nalanda are major Buddhist pilgrim destinations, Pawapuri is a holy place for Jains. Nalanda is just 90 kilometers away from Pawapuri and easily accessible. Pawapuri is also a part of an ambitious tourism promotion project by tourism ministry of India.
Pawapuri is sacred for Jain followers for the reason that Lord Mahavira, the twenty fourth tirthankar, attained salvation here. He was cremated at Pawapuri, popularly known as Apapuri which in Jain literature is indicative of ‘sinless town.’

Mahavira had become a living legend and quite popular among masses and when he was cremated at Apapuri, people started taking the ash left in his pyre. According to legends, this resulted into a deep pond at that place.

The same pond houses a marble made Jain temple called ‘Jalmandir.’ Jalmandir is a popular tourist destination. Built in circular shape, the Jalmandir rises in slow steps and there are various terraces in it. The temple enshrines the footsteps of Lord Mahavira, the last tirthankara. Pawapuri is also the place where Lord Mahavira delivered his last sermon to his disciples before going to Nirvana.

Historically, Pawapuri was a part of the Magadh Empire and was a center of learning and religious activities. While Bimbisar patronized Buddhism, Ajatshatru the famous king of Magadh patronized Jainism.

Ajatshatru was a staunch follower of Mahavir Jain and he helped latter’s message spreading among masses of India. Other than Jalmandir, there are some other temples dedicated to Lord Mahavira and one of them is Samosaran temple, a major tourist attraction among Jains.

Call us for prebookings on the following Mobiles:+91-99428 99555 , 98424 30308 , 99425 87000 Contact us on our Email id :info@pearlsholidays.com Our Fax No: +91-0422- 2331605