Mulnayak: Nearly 18 cms.
long, black-colored foot-idol of Bhagawan Mahavir Swami.
How to Reach: It is in the
center of the lake outside the Pavapuri village. 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.
Art and Architecture: BhagwanMahavir
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. The samvasaran of
Bhagawan Mahvir, the new temple and a temple in the village are there. There are 7 more
Digambar jain Mandirs in Pavapuri
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 sway the ashes of Bhagawan’s body and those who could not get the ashes,
took sway 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.
Trust: Shri Jain Svetambar
Bhandar Tirth, Pavapuri, Dist : Nalanda, State : Bihar, India.