Pawapuri

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From top ,left to right: Night view of Jal Mandir,Hotel Abhilasha,Gaanv Mandir, Maa Ashapuri Mandir,Jal Mandir, BMIMS Pawapuri,
Nickname(s): 
The Town of Peace and Non-violence
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Pawapuri status in Google map
CountryFlag of India.svg  India
State Bihar
Region Magadh
Division Patna
District Nalanda
Nagar Panchayat Pawapuri
Ward11
Founded 774 AD
Founded by Dharmapala
Government
  TypeNagar Panchayat
  BodyNagar panchayat pawapuri
Population
 (2011)
   Town 28,790
   Urban
13,263
Time zone UTC+5:30 (IST)
PIN
803115
Telephone Code+91-6112
Vehicle registration BR-21

Pawapuri or Pavapuri (also called Apapapuri, meaning "the sinless town") is a holy site for Jains located in the Nalanda district of Bihar state in Eastern India. It is located about 19 kilometers from Rajgir and 101 kilometers from Patna, the capital of Bihar. [1] Pawapuri is the place of Mahavira's nirvana and a pilgrimage site for Jains. [2]

Contents

postage stamp of 2550th Nirwan Mahotsav issued by the Government of India on 21 April 2024, on the eve of Mahavira Jayanti, Narendra Modi releasing postage stamp Along with Culture Minister of India, Arjun Ram Meghwal 2550th Nirwan Mahotsav 2024.jpg
postage stamp of 2550th Nirwan Mahotsav issued by the Government of India on 21 April 2024, on the eve of Mahavira Jayanti, Narendra Modi releasing postage stamp Along with Culture Minister of India, Arjun Ram Meghwal

Tourism

Jal mandir In Pawapuri Jal-mandir67.jpg
Jal mandir In Pawapuri

Pawapuri in Nalanda district ranks second after Rajgir in Nalanda in terms of tourism. Among the main tourist attractions, the Jal Mandir here is world famous. It is believed that Lord Mahavira (24th Tirthankara of Jainism) was cremated at this place after attaining Mahanirvana. Most of the tourists come to Pawapuri in thousands to see the beauty of the water temple.

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Main View Of Jal mandir Pawapuri

Spread over an area of 84 bighas, the beauty of the pond of this Jal Mandir has a different importance, in summer, lotus flowers enhance the beauty of this pond, due to which this pond is also known as Kamal Sarovar.

Lotus From The Jal mandir Pond Showing By an individual in front of way to temple Lotus-67jalmandir.jpg
Lotus From The Jal mandir Pond Showing By an individual in front of way to temple
View Of Lotus In Jal mandir Pond Lotus-68jalmandir.jpg
View Of Lotus In Jal mandir Pond

And during winter, foreign birds come and land in this pond and enhance the beauty of this pond.

Bihar chief minister Shri Nitish Kumar offering prayers inside the Jal Mandir Pawapuri Nitish-jal567.jpg
Bihar chief minister Shri Nitish Kumar offering prayers inside the Jal Mandir Pawapuri
Some foreign birds resting near the water temple pond Lesser Whistling Ducks, Jal Mandir, Bihar 78.jpg
Some foreign birds resting near the water temple pond

Fishes also have a different importance in this pond, here the tradition of wearing gold nose rings to big fish has been going on for centuries, catching or killing fish from this pond is completely prohibited.

In 2022, Chief Minister of Bihar Shri Nitish Kumar along with Sanjay Kumar Jha In Jal Mandir during His visits to Pawapuri Nitish-894.jpg
In 2022, Chief Minister of Bihar Shri Nitish Kumar along with Sanjay Kumar Jha In Jal Mandir during His visits to Pawapuri
A beautiful evening view of the old Samhosharan temple in Pawapuri Purana-samhusaran67.jpg
A beautiful evening view of the old Samhosharan temple in Pawapuri

Apart from the water temple, there is the old Samhosharan which is situated near the water temple, its artefacts are also fascinating, sitting here gives a feeling of peace to the mind, the new temple of Pawapuri which is also known as the new temple. The artefacts of this temple are also made by carving and carving marble stonesis adorable

Culture

Apart from the Jain temple in Pawapuri, many temples related to Hindu culture are also famous here and have their own importance. Ghosranwa village is situated at a distance of 5 kilometers from Pawapuri, which is a part of the geographical area of Pawapuri. Maa Ashapuri Temple is located here, whose glory is famous from Nalanda district to entire Bihar, thousands of devotees come here every year to visit, there is a tradition of sacrificing goats after the wishes are fulfilled, which is considered to be so in Nalanda district. That the wish of every devotee who wishes here is fulfilled by Asha Maharani Completes.This 1000 year old temple holds a special significance even during Navratri, entry of women is prohibited inside this temple for 9 days during Navratri

Baba Thakur Sahdev Temple

This temple is located in Pokharpur village of Pawapuri, which is dedicated to Baba Thakur Sahdev, this centuries old temple also has a different significance for the local and surrounding people, it is believed that on making a wish here, Baba Thakur Sahdev will fulfill all the needs of the people. The wishes of the people living here are definitely fulfilled But there is a special blessing of his majesty, there was a huge Peepal tree 300 to 400 years old, due to the weak soil of its roots, the tree fell during a storm due to which the shape of the old temple was destroyed. After which this temple was constructed which is already grand, near this temple Durga temple of Pawapuri, Shiva temple,Ram Janki mandir and Maharani Sthan are also situated which has a special significance for the people living here

Durga Temple And Mahavir Temple In Puri Village is also a Hindu cultural Significance In Pawapuri area.

Pawapuri mahotsav

It is believed that Lord Mahavira attained Mahanirvana on the night of Diwali on Kartik Amavasya, on the occasion of which Nirvana Mahotsav is organized every year in Pavapuri on the day of Kartik Amavasya on the night of Diwali.

This two-day event is organized by the Nalanda district administration and Art Culture And Youth Department of Government of Bihar.In the year 2016, on the special request of Jain followers, Bihar Chief Minister Shri Nitish Kumar announced to celebrate it as a state festival and from the next year 2017 onwards, it is celebrated every year as a two-day Pawapuri Mahotsav and special fairs are organized on this occasion. which is supervised by the district administration Nalanda and Pawapuri Nagar panchayat administration.In this festival, along with the exhibition on the glorious history of Bihar, the life of Lord Mahavir, art of famous artists of the country is presented

Education

Pawapuri is moving towards a relentless development in terms of Education, Vardhman Institute of Medical Sciences Now Bhagwan mahavir institute of medical sciences the medical college in Pawapuri is a major center of medical education, Medical students from all over Bihar come to study here, the Medical college of Pawapuri is one of the 13 medical colleges in Bihar, There is one.

Administrative building of Vardhman Institute of Medical Sciences in Pawapuri Medical College -56.jpg
Administrative building of Vardhman Institute of Medical Sciences in Pawapuri
In April 2022, Bihar Chief Minister Shri Nitish Kumar Presents VIMSPECTRUM in auditorium of BMIMS During His Visits To Pawapuri Nitish-zbmims45.jpg
In April 2022, Bihar Chief Minister Shri Nitish Kumar Presents VIMSPECTRUM in auditorium of BMIMS During His Visits To Pawapuri

Its foundation stone was laid and inaugurated by Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar in 2011. Done in 2013. Only one Sainik school of Bihar,Sainik school Nalanda,is also in Pawapuri.In 1999, former Defense Minister of India, George Fernandes had announced the construction of a Sainik School in Pawapuri, Nalanda. There are a total of 14 schools here including all private and government schools for primary education, secondary and higher education. Major Schools And colleges Here

Transport

The city is situated at a distance of 90 kilometers from the capital city of Patna, which is connected by National Highway 20.

Railways

The nearest railway station is Pawapuri Railway Station, which connects the trains coming from Bihar's capital Patna and Rajgir. Biharsharif Railway Station is also a major railway station. The Government of India has also approved the proposal to directly connect Pawapuri Tirtha with the rail line from Nawada to Bhaya Pawapuri, Bihar Sharif to Patna.

Roadways

Pawapuri city is directly connected to National Highway 20, which connects the capital Patna to Ranchi.

National highway 20,passes from pawapuri National highway 20.jpg
National highway 20,passes from pawapuri

Airways

Jai Prakash Narayan International Airport in Patna is the nearest airport.

Economy

The entire economy of Pawapuri is based on agriculture, this area consists of three revenue villages. The small industries and local markets here also have a deep impact on the economy. Among the small industries, brick industry, rice mill and many hotels and restaurants are playing a major role in the economic development here. Small industries and Bhagwan Mahavir Institute of Medical Sciences located here also provide employment to the people hereolitics

Politics

Pawapuri is a historical town located in Nalanda district of Bihar and is currently a Nagar Panchayat. Before becoming a Nagar Panchayat, this area came under the purview of a Gram panchayat, which was a main market and center of attraction in the area. In 2020, a proposal was put before the state government by the district administration to convert it from Gram Panchayat to Nagar Panchayat, which was fully implemented by the Bihar government in 2021. Before Nagar Panchayat, this area existed as Pokharpur Panchayat under Giriyak block of Nalanda district, which existed with the independence of the country. The politics here also affects regional and district politics. The total number of voters of this Nagar Panchayat are falling, in Rajgir Assembly is 13,256. Before 2022, like other Panchayats of the block, only the chief got representation. The former Gram Panchayat area consisted of seven villages which are Pokharpur, Puri, Karampur, Rahimchak, Daulachak, Shobhnagar and Sikarpur. After transformation into Nagar Panchayat, three more villages were included: Dasharathpur, Barabigha and Purnabigha, earlier a part of Durgapur Panchayat of this block.

Caste equation

According to a standard in Pawapuri Nagar Panchayat area, 94% of the population here is Hindu, 6% are minorities. If we talk about caste equation, Bhumihar are the majority, followed by Kurmi caste in large numbers. Mahadalits and Dalits are also present.

Notable People

See also

Pawapuri Tour And Travel Commons-logo.svg Media related to Pawapuri at Wikimedia Commons

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References

Citations

  1. "Destinations :: Pawapuri ::Bihar State Tourism Development Corporation". Bstdc.bih.nic.in. Archived from the original on 22 July 2015. Retrieved 5 March 2012.
  2. Doniger 1999, p. 549.

Sources