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Pawapuri — host of Nirvana Mahotsav

Festival · BIHAR

Nirvana Mahotsav.

October-November (Kartik Amavasya, Diwali) · Pawapuri

An annual Jain pilgrimage celebration commemorating Lord Mahavira's attainment of Nirvana at Pawapuri on the night of Diwali. Devotees gather to participate in religious ceremonies and rituals at the Jal Mandir (water temple), including the offering of a 151-kilogram blessed laddu to Lord Mahavira and its distribution among thousands of pilgrims.

Why it mattersSacred to Jainism; Pawapuri is Mahavira's nirvana site, the most important pilgrimage destination for Jain commemoration of the faith's founder

Going for this? Pawapuri in November

NakshIQ score
10.0/10
Go

November Pawapuri trades lotus for mirror stillness. The tank reflects the Jal Mandir perfectly, the cool air carries temple bells across the water, and the experience becomes pure meditation.

See the Pawapuri November guide →

Getting there

Elevation
55 m
Nearest airport
Patna Airport (80 km)
Nearest railway
Rajgir (25 km)

Live in Pawapuri

Where to eat

  • Shri Jain Shwetamber Bhandar Tirth Bhojanshala

    Legendary
    Pawapuri Tirth complex · ₹

    Signaturejain thali

    Sittings are fixed by Jain dietary timing — arrive 10 minutes early or eat at the next slot. The complex enforces no leather inside; remove belts and watches at the entrance. Manager: Mr. Mishra.

  • Hotel Royal Residency Restaurant

    Pawapuri-Nalanda Highway · ₹

    Signatureveg thali

    If the Jal Mandir bhojanshala (Shri Jain Shwetamber Bhandar Tirth) sittings have closed, this is the fallback. Pawapuri is a 35km drive from Rajgir on a slow rural road — plan eating before, not after, the temple darshan.

All eateries in Pawapuri →

What else to see in Pawapuri

  • Jalmandir (Water Temple)

    White marble Jain temple in the middle of a lotus tank. Marks the cremation site of Lord Mahavira.

    temple
    1 hour

Other festivals in November, elsewhere

See every festival in November →

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