Yogi Adityanath's Big Message in Kushinagar: 'Mafia Gone, Development On'; Fazilnagar to Be Renamed

Lucknow/Kushinagar: Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, while inaugurating the cave temple at Tarun Sagaram Tirtha in Muradnagar, Ghaziabad, announced changing the name of Fazilnagar town in the Kushinagar district to 'Pavagarh'. He said that this decision has been taken to restore the ancient identity of the place of Mahaparinirvana of Lord Mahavir, the 24th Tirthankara of Jainism. The Chief Minister said that the state government has started the formal process of changing the name. During this, he worshiped Jain Tirthankar Lord Parshvanath and also paid tribute to Sant Tarun Sagar Ji Maharaj.

What is the historical basis behind changing the name?

Chief Minister Yogi said that in ancient texts Fazilnagar was known as ‘Pava’ or 'Pavagarh.' It has been the capital of the Malla Republic, where both Lord Buddha and Lord Mahavira visited during their last journey. He stressed that even though Lord Mahavir was born in Vaishali, Bihar, the place of his Mahaparinirvana was in Fazilnagar. With time this historical identity was being lost, which the government is now bringing back.

What is the relation of Uttar Pradesh with Jain heritage?

In the programme, the chief minister discussed in detail the Jain heritage of Uttar Pradesh. He said that Ayodhya is the birthplace of five Tirthankaras including the first Jain Tirthankara Lord Rishabhdev. Four Jain Tirthankaras incarnated in Kashi, while Shravasti is the birthplace of Lord Sambhavnath. Yogi said that the spiritual tradition of India is the immortal saga of sacrifice of saints and great men, which has been guiding humanity for centuries.

Was there a demand for changing the name at the local level also?

The demand to change the name of Fazilnagar is not new. In September 2021, the then BJP MLA from Fazilnagar assembly constituency Ganga Singh Kushwaha had written a letter to the Chief Minister requesting to rename the town as ‘Pava Nagari’. The local Jain community had also been demanding for a long time to restore this place to its ancient identity.

Why did the controversy arise over the decision?

After the announcement of name change, mixed reactions were seen in Kushinagar. Local resident Shabnam Ansari said that changing the name will not change the reality of their lives and it is like erasing culture in the name of politics. BJP official Rajesh Tripathi called it a step to recognize holy places and promote development. Opposition parties have termed it as bias against Urdu heritage.

What other announcements did the government make?

The Chief Minister inaugurated the cave temple built in 100 days in Muradnagar as part of the Panchkalyanak Maha Mahotsav. On this occasion, the Trust demanded opening of Gurukul, Gaushala and Ayurvedic school. Yogi said that the Jain community is realizing the nine resolutions of Prime Minister Narendra Modi through a disciplined life and spirit of service. He assured that the state government is committed to the development of religious places.

What will happen next?

The chief minister has clarified that the process of changing the name has started. However, till now no official notification has been issued by the government in this regard. Fazilnagar will be officially called ‘Pava Nagari’ only after the administrative process is completed. This announcement was made in a program organized in Ghaziabad on 27 November 2025.