In a significant move to revive India’s ancient spiritual identity, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath announced that Fazilnagar, located in Kushinagar district, will now be known as ‘Pawa Nagari’ a name deeply connected to Bhagwan Mahavira’s Parinirvana site. The announcement was made during the inauguration of the newly constructed Gufa Mandir at Tarun Sagar Tirth, Muradnagar, in Ghaziabad, where the Chief Minister was accompanied by prominent Jain monks and followers. The event marked the completion of a 100-day temple construction project built with devotion and aimed at preserving culture.
Speaking on the occasion, CM Yogi emphasised that the renaming of Fazilnagar to Pawa Nagari is not just an administrative decision, but a step towards restoring India’s ancient spiritual geography.
#UPCM @myogiadityanath जी ने जनपद गाजियाबाद के मुरादनगर स्थित तरुण सागर तीर्थ में नवनिर्मित गुफा मंदिर का लोकार्पण करते हुए कहा कि भगवान महावीर का परिनिर्वाण स्थल ‘पावा नगरी’ विश्व के आध्यात्मिक मानचित्र पर नई पहचान स्थापित करेगा।
➤ मुख्यमंत्री जी ने 100 दिनों में पूर्ण हुए… pic.twitter.com/PKImp7It4W
— Government of UP (@UPGovt) November 28, 2025
“The Parinirvana site of Bhagwan Mahavira, ‘Pawa Nagari’, will now gain global recognition on the world’s spiritual map,” he said, underlining that the region will serve as an enduring symbol of peace, compassion, and enlightenment.
He praised the efforts of Acharya Shri Prasanna Sagar Ji Maharaj, the Jain community, and temple management for their dedication in completing the Gufa Mandir within just 100 days, a task he described as “an act of faith and collective devotion.”
The newly inaugurated Gufa Mandir is designed to reflect both traditional architecture and modern sensibility, and stands as a spiritual and cultural monument. Yogi Adityanath expressed hope that this sacred site will become a center of inspiration for future generations, reminding them of India’s civilisational values rooted in ahimsa (non-violence) and karuna (compassion).
“Our eternal heritage teaches the world the principles of ‘Jiyo aur jeene do’ i.e. live and let live,” the Chief Minister said. He stressed that these teachings form the moral foundation of Indian society.
In the same event, Yogi Adityanath reviewed ongoing infrastructure projects, urging officials to ensure timely completion of the Noida International Airport by December 5. He highlighted that development and spirituality must go hand-in-hand to shape a prosperous, culturally vibrant Uttar Pradesh.
“When faith and development progress together, society achieves both inner peace and outer progress,” he remarked.
By paying tribute to Jain saints and devotees, CM Yogi reaffirmed that India’s strength lies in its unity amid diversity, where all faiths coexist harmoniously under the shared ethos of compassion and tolerance. The renaming of Fazilnagar to Pawa Nagari, thus, goes beyond symbolism. It represents a revival of India’s ancient wisdom in modern times, a reminder that spiritual heritage continues to guide the state’s vision of holistic progress.
