Pawapuri Jal Mandir

Getting there

• By air

  Patna airport is 101 km away, the nearest airport to Pawapuri.

• By train

  Trains from Patna and Rajgir reach Pawapuri Railway Station, and the Patna railhead is 90 km away.

• By road

  A taxi or bus can be taken from Patna, Rajgir or Gaya, and Pawapuri is about 19 km from Rajgir. Regular buses and private taxis run from Patna, Nalanda and Rajgir.

Rules to know

• Maintain silence and respect temple traditions.

Why devotees come here

Pawapuri Jal Mandir stands in Nalanda district, Bihar, on a lotus pond. It is dedicated to Mahavira, the 24th Tirthankara, and Jains believe he attained nirvana in Pawapuri.

Pawapuri Jal Mandir is dedicated to Mahavira, the 24th Tirthankara and religious preacher of Jainism. Mahavira attained nirvana, or liberation, in Pawapuri in 528 BC. The town is a holy site for Jains in Nalanda district. Mahavir Jayanti celebrates Mahavira's birth and is the most significant festival in Jainism. Pawapuri ranks second after Rajgir in Nalanda district for tourism.

Legend says King Nandivardhan built the temple. Another legend tells of soil dug from the cremation site, which left a pit that filled with water. That pit became the lotus pond where the white marble temple now stands.

The temple is built within a tank filled with red lotus flowers. Its white marble structure is simple and elegant, and the water around it reflects the building. Mahavir Jayanti brings grand religious celebrations here.

Festivals

• 31 March 2026Mahavir Jayanti

  The day begins at dawn with abhishek of Mahavira's idol, followed by a palki yatra.

Tips for your visit

• Visit early morning or late evening to see the temple reflected in the pond.
• On Mahavir Jayanti, plan ahead because of large crowds.

Questions people ask