Скачать или смотреть Jain Temples in Bihar || बिहार के प्रमुख जैन मंदिर

Eulogized in history books as the seat of many famous Indian dynasties, the Indian state of Bihar has also been the cradle of myriad religious faiths. It was in this state that Jainism, which today boasts of millions of adherents was first propagated. The chief proponent of Jain religion, Mahavira was born near Patna, capital of Bihar, in 599 BC. At very young age he became an ascetic and meditated for a long time before he became enlightened and thereafter he preached for thirty years until he attained nirvana or salvation. Today Bihar is awash with Jain relics and temples. Sadly however, many of these temples and relics have faded into the mists of time, but those that remain are testimony to the strong Jain tradition of Bihar.

The most venerable Jain pilgrim spot in Bihar is the Jalmandir temple complex at Pawapuri, 60 km in the southwest of Patna. It is here that Lord Mahavira breathed his last around 500 BC and was cremated. It is said that a huge crowd had gathered to witness the funeral of the Lord, and the demand for his ashes among the mourners was so great that a colossal amount of soil was removed from around the funeral pyre resulting in the creation of a water tank. The Jalmandir, a white marble temple, in the middle of a lotus pond marks the exact spot where Lord Mahavira was cremated. There is a constant crush of devotees at this temple. It is commonly believed that by praying here a devotee loses his sins. The area around the temple is a center for curio shops and religious artifacts. Another Jain temple called Samosharan is located little away from Jalmandir.