Which of the following places is especially associated with Jainism as a major site linked with the life of Mahavira?

Introduction / Context:
Jainism, like Buddhism, has several important pilgrimage centres connected with the life events of its Tirthankaras. For competitive exams, it is important to match each religion with its key holy places and to distinguish them from sites mainly associated with Buddhism or other traditions. This question focuses on one particular place that is directly connected with the last and twenty fourth Jain Tirthankara, Vardhamana Mahavira, and asks you to identify which option is especially associated with Jainism.

Given Data / Assumptions:
- The question mentions Jainism and the life of Mahavira. - Four places are listed: Pava, Prayag, Shravasti and Kapilvastu. - Only one of these is a major Jain pilgrimage centre linked to Mahavira. - We assume standard textbook identifications of Buddhist and Jain sites.

Concept / Approach:
Pava, often identified with modern Pavapuri in Bihar, is the place where Mahavira is believed to have attained nirvana or final liberation. It is therefore one of the most sacred centres for Jains. In contrast, Prayag (modern Prayagraj or Allahabad) is historically associated with Hindu pilgrimage and confluence of rivers. Shravasti and Kapilvastu are strongly linked with the life of the Buddha: Shravasti as a place where he spent many rainy seasons and Kapilvastu as his childhood home region. Thus, when the focus is Jainism and Mahavira, Pava is the correct choice.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall that Mahavira was born at Kundagrama near Vaishali and attained nirvana at Pava or Pavapuri in present day Bihar. Step 2: Identify Pava as a prominent Jain pilgrimage site linked specifically with Mahavira's final liberation. Step 3: Recognise that Prayag is primarily a Hindu holy city known for the Kumbh Mela and the confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna and the mythical Saraswati. Step 4: Remember that Shravasti and Kapilvastu appear again and again in Buddhist history, as key centres in the life of Gautama Buddha, not in Mahavira's biography. Step 5: Match these associations with the question and select Pava as the place especially associated with Jainism and Mahavira.

Verification / Alternative check:
Standard history and religion textbooks list four principal Jain places connected with Mahavira: his birthplace, place of renunciation, place of enlightenment and place of nirvana. Pavapuri (Pava) appears consistently as the site of his final nirvana and is described as a major pilgrimage centre where Jains visit temples and sacred tanks. In contrast, guides to Buddhist sites emphasise Shravasti and Kapilvastu in completely different narrative contexts. Reviewing such summaries confirms that Pava is the right answer when the question is about Jainism and Mahavira.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Prayag is wrong because it is mainly a Hindu centre for river based pilgrimage and does not have a direct, central role in Mahavira's life story.

Shravasti is wrong as it is primarily associated with the Buddha, who spent many monsoon seasons there delivering sermons, rather than with Mahavira.

Kapilvastu is wrong because it is famous as the region of the Shakya clan and the early life of Gautama Buddha, not as a key Jain site.

Common Pitfalls:
A common mistake is to see any ancient religious place in North India and assume it must be shared by all traditions. Another error is to mix up Buddhist and Jain geography, since both religions flourished in the same broad region. To avoid confusion, mentally tag Pava or Pavapuri as the place of Mahavira's nirvana and Shravasti and Kapilvastu as Buddhist centres. This clear mapping will help you correctly answer not only this question but many other items on Indian religious geography.

Final Answer:
The place especially associated with Jainism and the nirvana of Mahavira is Pava (Pavapuri).