Financial Daily from THE HINDU group of publications
Monday, Jan 21, 2002
Financial Daily from THE HINDU group of publications Monday, Jan 21, 2002 |
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Life
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Domestic Travel Destination Bihar
Sarvesh
A trip to Pawapuri takes us about 2,500 years back in time when Bhimsara and Ajatshatru ruled over Magadha and the world's first Republic, `Vaishali,' was in existence. Vaishali, or the present-day Bihar, also holds special significance for Buddhists as it is also the place where Buddha delivered his last sermon and announced `nirvana'. At the heart of Bihar is situated Pawapuri, where Lord Mahavira, the founder of Jainism, attained enlightenment. It is located 90 km from Patna on the Patna-Ranchi highway. It is believed that when Lord Mahavira came to Pawapuri for the first time, Lord Indra celebrated his `Gyan-Kalyanak' here. The famous `Uttardhyana Sutra' was also written at `Madhyama Pawa' or Pawapuri as it was formerly known. The place is also famous as the site of Mahavira's last 24-hour discourse to his followers. Legend has it that after the cremation of Mahavira, in order to meet the huge demand for his ashes; a large amount of soil was removed from around the funeral pyre, creating a water-tank. A marble `Jal Mandir' was later built in the middle of the tank. Mahavira's last rites were performed here. Lord Mahavira breathed his last in the `Old Temple' around 500 B.C. Known as the `Lotus Pond' (Kamal Sarovar), the pond is a quarter mile in length and breadth. The locals in their peculiar Bihari style are very warm and welcoming towards tourists. Any visit to the State cannot be complete without a joy ride on the horse-drawn tongas, the usual mode of conveyance for local sightseeing. Apart from the `Jal Mandir,' the other main attraction of Pawapuri is the new `Samvasaran Temple'. Adjacent to this new temple is a stupa and a well, which is in surprisingly good condition after so many years. Apart from commemorating the `nirvana' of Lord Mahavira on a large scale each year, Pawapuri also holds an annual Deepawali fair. This fair is followed the next day by Mahavir's chariot procession, which winds its way from the `Old Temple' to the `Jal Mandir'. A short distance from the `Jal Mandir' is another famous temple belonging to the Digambara sect of Jains.
Fact file
How to get there By air: Patna, the nearest airport, is 90 km away and is linked to Delhi, Calcutta, Mumbai, Ahmedabad and Lucknow. By rail: The nearest railheads are Rajgir, Bihar Sharif and Gaya. It also has rail connections with Delhi, Mumbai, Varanasi, Calcutta and many other major cities. By road: A taxi or bus can be taken from Patna, Rajgir, Gaya or other major cities of Bihar. Where to stay: Centaur Hokke Hotel, Ph: +91-6119-5245, 5032-37, Fax: 5231. Tourist Bungalows I & II; M.O. Rest House; D.B. Inspection Bungalow and dharamshalas (rest houses) are good options for visitors who wish to stay in Rajgir. Hotel Welcomgroup Maurya (Ph: +91-612-222060-67, Fax: 222069), Hotel Chanakya (Ph: +91-612-220590-96, Fax: 220598) and Hotel Republic (Ph: +91-612-655021-24, Fax: 655024) offer accommodation in Patna. There are a host of low-budget hotels as well. Tourist Information Centre: 216-217, Kanishka Shopping Plaza, 19 Ashoka Road, New Delhi. When to visit: October to March.
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