Araria Tourism
Although Araria is not in the limelight for being a big city or something that can be considered notable due to historic importance this region is still a favorite for the travellers due to strategic location. Even though it is one of the backward areas in Bihar but it remains in the notice for certain important features that distinguish it from the rest. Strategically Araria is very much an important location due to sharing international border with Nepal. The region is also known for its agriculture based economy, recently developed trade and business avenues and of course some of the notable historic places remind its past era and enriched golden history.
Araria in Bihar
A Brief History of Araria
Zero Mile Bus Stand is an important point that links Araria with several districts by roadToday’s Araria district was first made Araria sub-division of the erstwhile Purnia district in the year 1964 and remained until it was carved out to be made an independent district in 1990. Even though it became an administrative district it still remains under the Purnia Division. The biggest city of the district Araria remains its administrative headquarters cum municipality. It is also famous as most showery northeastern Bihar district. The district is one out of the 90 minority concentration districts of India and still remains most backward.
One of the oldest cities of Araria namely Forbesganj is known for its glorious past. It is believed by the historians that earliest inhabitants of Araria were Angas who had settled on western banks of Koshi River. While Mauryan Kingdom expanded in this region, Araria became its integral part. Besides part of Mauryan Empire, this region also remained part of Gupta Dynasty and rest kingdoms. Once British ruled over this country, East India Company had full control over this area to expand trade avenues. Historians describe that one English official Mr. Forbe's Bungalow was located in this area in the then “Residential Area” which locals would call “R. Area.” It became “Araria” over the period of time. By then its subdivision too became “Forbesganj”—the named denoting to an area that once housed Mr. Forbe's Bungalow.
Geographical Features of Araria
Araria is surrounded by Purnia and Madhepura besides neighboring country Nepal from northern side while Kishanganj surrounds it from east. Other neighboring district Supaul surrounds this district from western side. Araria district’s trade and business hub Jogbani is the last point of the country that share border with the neighboring Nepal’s Morang district.Helplines and Important Contact Numbers
Bihar State Tourism Development Corporation(A Govt. of Bihar Undertaking)
Bir Chand Patel Path, Patna
PIN-800 001
Bihar (India)
Toll Free No- 1800-3456-112,+916122506048,+916122506075,+91-8544418305
Phone: +91-612-2225411,
Fax: +91-612-2506218.
Email: contact@bstdc.gov.in, bihardarshan2014@gmail.com
Web Site: https://bstdc.bih.nic.in/
Best Times to Visit Araria
Visitors willing to explore Araria should avoid the monsoon period because this region is famous for being the most showery one and life literally reaches at the standstill on such occasions. The months from August to March are best suitable time to visit this region. There is no extremity of weather conditions either in the wintertime or in the summertime. At times summers go chilling but only for few weeks. Foggy winters are also seen in the recent years. Winters are not freezing but at times unexpected climatic changes have been observed.Places of Religious Interest in Araria
It is notable fact that Araria isn’t a holy city but its culture and values project religious harmony. The district headquarters and its nearby places accommodate many mosques, temples and the worship of other major religions. Araria city is one of the prominent centers of Tablighi Jamaat in the region. Some of the notable places of religious places are as follows:-- Khalilabad mosque in Araria
- Kali Mandir or temple
- Temple of Lord Shiva named Thakurbari Shiva Mandir
- Araria-Madanpur Shiva Mandir
- Sultan Phokher in Forbesganj
- Maata Aasawar Mandir in Gidwas
- Shiva Mandir in Sundernath
- Masjid Diyaganj
Places of Interest In and Around Araria
Araria definitely leaves good scope for them to explore places which can be of interest to them. Uniqueness of this place is that one develops mesmerized feeling while touring to this location with mere few kilometers of drive bringing to the country’s end point. As Indians have easy access to Nepal it is a perfect gateway to enter into some of the best locations in neighboring country from Araria region. Araria district has several historic places which are worth exploring as a tourist.
Forbesganj near Araria
Forbesganj: It has emerged into one of the major trade centers of Araria. One of the three major urban establishments of Araria district, Forbesganj also serves as an assembly constituency in the district. This place is famous for some of the historic monuments especially the famous Mr. Forbe's Bungalow that remind of this region being controlled by the British from here. The region has taken shape of an urban locality where good grains business has flourished. It is well connected to rest parts of the state and country by road and railways. Train and bus services between Forbesganj and Araria connect to these prominent cities in the region. One can travel for few hours to reach there.
Palasi: It offers complete rustic impression to visitors. As a notified area in Araria district, Palasi also serves as one of its blocks located at a distance of 28 km northeastern side from the district headquarters Araria city. It is completely rural region where the source of income is only from agriculture. Koshi and Bakra rivers pass through Palasi region which is best to explore for those willing to encounter rural lifestyle.The roads leading towards Palasi from district headquarters Araria connect it with the administrative headquarters. Intercity local buses operate on this route.
Jokihat: It is developing into one of the few semi-urban establishments in Araria. It is one of the assembly constituencies of Araria district. The road from Zero Mile in District headquarters Araria leading towards neighboring Kishanganj district connect to Jokihat in the midst. It is best connected by the roadways.
Sikti: It is one of the areas in Araria district of Bihar in its semi-urban stage. It is district’s one of the assembly constituencies. Roads from district headquarters Araria connect to Sikti. Local buses operate on the roadways.
Dainiya: This is one of the destinations in Kosi Zone of neighboring country, Nepal. Located in the Morang district of southeastern Nepal, Dainiya is known for its greeneries. Ancient temples are also located here. Travellers travel up to Jogbani Railway Station or they can even choose roadways to enter into Nepal to avail the local bus service in neighboring Nepal to reach Dainiya which can be reached in mere few hours.
Raniganj: Though a small place and assembly constituency Raniganj is mainly a semi-urban establishment where people are primarily involved in the agriculture related activities. Those willing to travel to Raniganj can take local bus service taking them from district headquarters.
Jogbani: It lies on Indo-Nepal border and is visited by numerous tourists every year. The city of Jogbani is famous tourist center cum trade destination in the region. India’s last railway station at the end point bordering Nepal is at Jogbani. This town and notified area under the administration of Araria district is one of the few urban establishments in the region. It is also strategically important for the country related to security issues. Its sister city across the border is Biratnagar in Nepal that can be reached easily by walking for mere few minutes. As a gateway to the Biratnagar city of Nepal, this city under Araria’s administration also houses India’s customs checkpoint for goods at the border where Indian and Nepalese nationals can cross without any restrictions. People from various nationalities are commonly seen here. Those travelling to Jogbani from Araria have railways and roadways service to use for this purpose. It takes few hours to reach there.
How to Reach Araria ?
It is not a big problem to visit Araria from any part of the state as most cities are linked through the national highways, railways and even nearest airports too serve this area. As transportation is not a big deal one can explore this area to the best extent possible. Several regular local trains are available for Jogbani, Forbesganj, Purnia and Katiahr besides Samastipur areas. Daily train for the national capital Delhi and trains for Kolkata are also available hence transportation is an easy option. There is no airport in Araria but the nearest one in India is in Bagdogra Airport in West Bengal at mere 111 km to connect to several destinations in the country; Purnia Airport serving for unscheduled flights to Patna and Kolkata. Biratnagar Airport in Nepal is nearest one where people from many destinations arrive to visit Araria and nearby regions. Patna Airport in the state capital is located at a distance of 235 km from Araria.Where to Stay in Araria ?
Hotels in Araria
Hotel Jyoti
Address: Ram Manohar Lohia Path, Forbesganj, Hospital Road, Araria (Bihar) – 854318
Phone No: +(91)-9931234982, 8800908789
Hotel Evergreen
Address: Haat Road, Near Jama Masjid, Araria (Bihar) – 854311
Phone No: +(91)-6453-224811, +(91)-9570386323
Hotel Panar
Address: Nasim Market, Bus Stand, Araria (Bihar) – 854318
Phone No: Not Available
Hotel President
Address: Dazy Complex, Araria (Bihar) – 854318
Phone No: Not Available
Hotel Panchali Pvt. Ltd.
Address: Behind Bus Park, Panchali, Biratnagar 56613 (Nepal)
Phone No: Not Available
Hotel Namaskar
Address: Traffic Chowk, Biratnagar, Nepal
Phone No: Not Available