Temple of India: Jal Mandir, Pawapuri

 The Jal Mandir or Water Temple is situated in Pawapuri (also known as Apapuri which means a town without sins),in the Indian state of Bihar. It is a major pilgrimage destination of Jains and the temple is dedicated to Lord Mahavira, the 24th Tirthankara (religious preacher of Jainism), which marks the place of his cremation. Mahavira attained Nirvana (salvation) in Pawapuri in 527 BC.The temple was originally built by King Nandivardhan, elder brother of Mahavira, within the pond which is filled with red coloured lotus flowers.It is one of the five main temples in Pawpuri, where the "Charan Paduka" or foot impression of Mahavira is deified.

According to Jain texts, Mahavira's nirvana (death) occurred in the town of Pawapuri in present-day Bihar. His life as a spiritual light and the night of his nirvana are commemorated by Jains as Diwali at the same time that Hindus celebrate it.