Stevenagok at 01:46, 4 May 2026

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{{About|the municipality in India|its namesake district|Araria district|other places with same/similar name|Araria (disambiguation)}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2019}}
{{Use Indian English|date=January 2019}}
{{Infobox settlement
| name = Araria
| native_name =
| native_name_lang =
| settlement_type = City
| image_skyline =
| image_alt =
| image_caption =
| pushpin_map = India Bihar#India
| pushpin_label_position = right
| pushpin_map_alt =
| pushpin_map_caption = Location in Bihar, India
| coordinates = {{coord|26.15|N|87.52|E|display=inline,title}}
| subdivision_type = Country
| subdivision_name = {{flag|India}}
| subdivision_type1 = [[States and territories of India|State]]
| subdivision_name1 = {{flagicon image|Bihar Government Banner.png}} [[Bihar]]
| subdivision_type2 = [[Administrative divisions of India|Region]]
| subdivision_name2 = [[Mithila (region)|Kosi-Seemanchal]]
| subdivision_type3 = [[List of districts of India|District]]
| subdivision_name3 = [[Araria district|Araria]]
| established_title = 
| established_date = January 1990
| founder =
| named_for =
| government_type = [[Municipal Council]]
| governing_body = Araria Municipal Council
| leader_title1 = [[District Magistrate]]
| leader_name1 =Shri ANIL KUMAR ([[Indian Administrative Service|IAS]])
| unit_pref = Metric
| area_footnotes =
| area_rank =
| area_total_km2 =
| elevation_footnotes =
| elevation_m = 47
| population_total = 79,021
| population_as_of = 2011
| population_rank =
| population_density_km2 = auto
| population_demonym =
| population_footnotes =
| demographics_type1 = Languages
| demographics1_title1 = Official
| demographics1_info1 = [[Hindi language|Hindi]],<ref name="langoff">{{cite web|title=52nd Report of the Commissioner for Linguistic Minorities in India|url=http://nclm.nic.in/shared/linkimages/NCLM52ndReport.pdf|website=nclm.nic.in|publisher=[[Ministry of Minority Affairs]]|access-date=23 March 2019|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170525141614/http://nclm.nic.in/shared/linkimages/NCLM52ndReport.pdf|archive-date=25 May 2017}}</ref> [[Maithili language|Maithili]]
| demographics1_title2 = Additional official
| demographics1_info2 = [[Urdu]]<ref name="langoff"/>
| demographics1_title3 =
Regional Language
| demographics1_info3 = [[Maithili language|Maithili]]
| timezone1 = [[Indian Standard Time|IST]]
| utc_offset1 = +5:30
| postal_code_type = [[Postal Index Number|PIN]]
| postal_code = 8543xx (Araria)<ref>[https://indiapincodes.net/Bihar/Araria/ Araria]</ref>
| registration_plate = BR-38
| blank1_name_sec1 = [[Lok Sabha]] constituency
| blank1_info_sec1 = [[Araria (Lok Sabha constituency)|Araria]]
| blank2_name_sec1 = [[Vidhan Sabha]] constituency
| blank2_info_sec1 = [[Araria (Vidhan Sabha constituency)|Araria]]
| website = [https://araria.nic.in https://araria.nic.in]
| footnotes =
| official_name =
}}
'''Araria''' is a city and a [[municipality]] that is the headquarters of [[Araria district]] in the [[Indian state]] of [[Bihar]]. Araria is situated in the northern part of [[Bihar]].

==Etymology==
During the [[British Raj]] the area was under the administration of a British district collector and municipal commissioner, Alexander John Forbes (1807-1890) of [[East India Company]]. Forbes had a bungalow at the same location. Consequently, the area was known as 'residential area' also abbreviated as 'R-area'. Over time the name transformed to 'Araria' and the neighbouring subdivision came to be known as '[[Forbesganj subdivision|Forbesganj]]'.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Prasad |first1=Bhuvaneshwar |last2=Agrawal |first2=Rajendra |title=Telecom racket busted in sleepy Araria district of Bihar |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Telecom-racket-busted-in-sleepy-Araria-district-of-Bihar/articleshow/19232676.cms |access-date=23 August 2021 |work=The Times of India |agency=TNN |date=27 March 2013 |language=en}}</ref>

==History==
Araria is a part of the [[Mithila (region)|Mithila region]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/elections/assembly-elections/bihar/bihar-assembly-elections-2020-bjp-eyes-winning-push-from-mithila/articleshow/78314749.cms|title = Bihar assembly elections 2020: BJP eyes winning push from Mithila | Bihar Assembly Elections 2020 Election News - Times of India}}</ref> Mithila first gained prominence after being settled by [[Indo-Aryan peoples]] who established the [[Mithila Kingdom]] (also called Kingdom of the Videhas).<ref>[[Michael Witzel]] (1989), ''Tracing the Vedic dialects in Dialectes dans les litteratures Indo-Aryennes'' ed. Caillat, Paris, pages 13, 17 116–124, 141–143</ref>

During the late [[Vedic period]] (c. 1100–500 BCE), Kingdom of the Videhas became one of the major political and cultural centers of [[South Asia]], along with [[Kuru Kingdom|Kuru]] and [[Panchala|Pañcāla]]. The kings of the Kingdom of the Videhas were called [[Janka]]s.<ref>{{cite book |author=Witzel, M. |author-link=Michael Witzel |year=1989 |chapter=Tracing the Vedic dialects |title=Dialectes dans les litteratures Indo-Aryennes |location=Paris |editor1-last=Caillat |editor1-first=C. |pages=141–143 |publisher=Fondation Hugot}}</ref>
The Mithila Kingdom was later incorporated into the [[Vajjika League]], which had its capital in the city of [[Vaishali (ancient city)|Vaishali]], which is also in Mithila.<ref>{{cite book |author=Hemchandra, R. |year=1972 |title=Political History of Ancient India |location=Calcutta |publisher=University of Calcutta}}</ref>

==Demographics==
Araria is primarily a rural district; 93% of the total population lives in rural areas (713 villages). Only two out of nine [[tehsils]] have an urban population that is concentrated in [[Forbesganj]] and Araria(Census 2001).

In 2008 survey findings, Araria lagged behind the all India average in seven out of eight indicators and also lagged behind the all India level in terms of two more health-related indicators. Most of the villages lack some basic infrastructure: 92 percent are without any medical facilities; 20 percent of the villages lack formal facilities of education of any type; 597 out of 713 villages are without electricity; and 50 percent of the villages are without all-weather road connectivity. The overall work participation rate is 40.3 percent, which is much less in the case of the female population. Agriculture laborers dominate the labor force (64.7% of the total) which is almost double the national average.
{{bar box
|title=Religions in Araria Town (2011)
|titlebar=#Fcd116
|left1=Religion
|right1=Percent
|float=right
|bars=
{{bar percent|[[Hinduism]]|darkorange|59.05}}
{{bar percent|[[Islam]]|green|40.11}}
{{bar percent|Others|black|0.83}}}}
There is a substantial concentration of minority (mainly [[Muslims]]) population. Against the state average of 20.52%, Muslims constitute 49.4 percent of the total rural populations, but their percentages are 77.5% in Jokihat, 62.70% in Araria, and 46.8% in Palasi subdivisions. The number of minority groups - [[Christians|Christian]], [[Sikhs|Sikh]], [[Buddhism|Buddhist]] and [[Jainism|Jains]] - are less in comparison. The rural literacy rate is 33.2 percent, much below the state and national averages. The worst is the female literacy rate, i.e. 20.4%. In other words, only one out of five women are literate. Even sex ratio, i.e., 917 is less than state and all India level.

[[Kulhaiya|Kulhayya]] people majorly live in this region.{{Citation needed|date=August 2021}}

==Geography==
Araria is located at {{Coord|26.15|N|87.52|E|}}.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.fallingrain.com/world/IN/34/Araria.html|title=Maps, Weather, and Airports for Araria, India|website=www.fallingrain.com}}</ref> It has an average elevation of 47 metres (154 feet). Araria is situated at the northern part of [[Purnia]] and [[Madhepura]] in [[Bihar]]. Borders of Araria are surrounded by [[Nepal]] on the northern side, [[Kishanganj]] on the eastern side and [[Supaul]] on the south-west side. The district came into existence by the division of Purnia district on [[Makar Sankranti]] day of 1990. The district touches the [[India–Nepal border|Indo-Nepal international border]] also this area is close to three countries: [[Nepal]], [[Bangladesh]], and [[Bhutan]]. Hence, the district is important in terms of security. [[Jogbani]] is the last point of Araria and after that, [[Morang]] district of Nepal starts.

[[Kosi River|Kosi river]] used to pass through Araria, although it has changed its path long ago.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Bihar to change Kosi’s course to save ancient site, says Nitish |url=https://www.downtoearth.org.in/news/natural-disasters/bihar-to-change-kosi-s-course-to-save-ancient-site-says-nitish-74733 |access-date=2021-11-13 |website=www.downtoearth.org.in |language=en}}</ref> The other important river of Araria is Panaar. Agriculture has flourished along the banks of this river, although it becomes catastrophic during the rainy season because of floods. A canal also passes through Araria. In clean weather [[Kangchenjunga]] range of mountains can be seen from here (especially after rain).<ref>{{Cite web |date=2020-05-07 |title=How clean environment offers Bihar villagers majestic view of snow-capped Himalayan peaks from balconies, rooftops |url=https://biharpost.in/bihar-villagers-get-majestic-view-of-himalayas/ |access-date=2021-11-13 |website=Bihar Post |language=en-US}}</ref>

==Wildlife==
Araria is the natural habitat of the Gangetic Dolphins. In the local rivers of Araria, Gangetic dolphins (''[[South Asian river dolphin]]s'') are found.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Gangetic dolphins found in Bihar’s Mahananda river |url=https://www.downtoearth.org.in/news/wildlife-biodiversity/gangetic-dolphins-found-in-bihar-s-mahananda-river-65413 |access-date=2021-11-13 |website=www.downtoearth.org.in |language=en}}</ref>

==Culture==
Durga Puja mela is one of the biggest festival celebrations at a different place in Araria. Many notable other festivals are celebrated like [[Chhath|Chhat pooja]], [[Diwali]], [[Durga Puja]], [[Krishna Janmashtami|Janmashtami]] etc. [[Hindus]] and Muslim are living friendly environment and celebrating each festival.

Replica Stoop: situated Near Manikpur 5 km far from Araria district headquarter going towards Forbesganj.

The movie [[Teesri Kasam]] was shot in the villages of Araria. It was [[Basu Bhattacharya]]'s film, based on ''Mare Gaye Gulfam'' written by [[Phanishwar Nath 'Renu']], starring [[Raj Kapoor]] and [[Waheeda Rehman]].

==Transport==

===Railway===

Araria is accessible to other parts of India by railways via {{rws|Katihar}}.

The nearest Railway Station is Araria court & Araria(R S). Araria Court Railway station lies on [[Barauni-Katihar section|Katihar-Jogbani Branch Line]]. There are daily and weekly train available for {{rws|Jogbani}}, {{rws|Purnia}}, {{rws|Katihar}}, {{rws|Kolkata}}, {{rws|Siliguri Junction}}, {{rws|Begusarai}}, {{rws|Patliputra Junction}}, {{rws|Allahabad}}, {{rws|Kanpur}}, {{rws|Delhi}}.

===Road===

Connected with {{jct|NH|27|country=IND}}.

Buses for most of the districts and internal blocks are available from the bus terminal.

===Airport===

The nearest airport is [[Purnia Airport]], now become a commercial airport from non-commercial airport.

==Politics==
[[Araria (Vidhan Sabha constituency)]] is the [[Vidhan Sabha|assembly]] constituency representing Araria (community development block). The same constituency also includes Araria Nagar Parishad.<ref name=commission>{{cite web|url = http://eci.nic.in/eci_main/CurrentElections/CONSOLIDATED_ORDER%20_ECI%20.pdf |title = Schedule – XIII of Constituencies Order, 2008 of Delimitation of Parliamentary and Assembly constituencies Order, 2008 of the Election Commission of India|work= Schedule VI Bihar, Part A – Assembly constituencies, Part B – Parliamentary constituencies |access-date = 2011-01-10 }}</ref> [[Avidur Rahman]] from [[Indian National Congress]] is the MLA elected in the [[2020 Bihar Legislative Assembly election]].

Araria (Vidhan Sabha constituency) is part of No 9 [[Araria (Lok Sabha constituency)]] (SC).<ref name=commission/> Shahnawaz Alam from BJP (MP) elected in the [[2024 Indian general election]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Bihar Lok Sabha Election Results 20|url=https://www.ndtv.com/elections/bihar-lok-sabha-election-results-2024|access-date=22 August 2024 |work=NDTV.com |language=en}}</ref>

==Notable people ==

*[[Mohammed Taslimuddin]] - Former Union Minister of State<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.financialexpress.com/india-news/who-was-mohammed-taslimuddin-rjd-strongman-and-voice-of-seemanchal-who-died-at-74-on-sunday/859970/|title = Who was Mohammed Taslimuddin, RJD strongman and voice of Seemanchal who died at 74 on Sunday|date = 18 September 2017}}</ref>
* [[Phanishwar Nath Renu|Phanishwar Nath 'Renu']] - Writer of modern [[Hindi]] literature
*[[Subrata Roy]] - Chairman of Sahara Group<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.financialexpress.com/archive/subrata-roy-the-not-so-beautiful-story/1232375/|title= Subrata Roy: The not-so-beautiful story|website= Financial Express|date= 10 March 2014|language=en |access-date=2014-03-11}}</ref>
*[[Quaiser Khalid]], IPS - Police officer, Maharashtra Cadre, Poet, Educationist<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.rekhta.org/Poets/quaiser-khalid/profile|title=Quaiser Khalid - Profile & Biography}}</ref>
*[[Bakhtiyar Ahmad]]- Founder of Araria Advertisers and social media activist

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* [https://araria.nic.in Araria district profile]
* http://www.udyogmitrabihar.in/docs/dp/araria.pdf {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160924031640/http://www.udyogmitrabihar.in/docs/dp/araria.pdf |date=24 September 2016 }}

{{Adjacent communities
| Centre = Araria
| North = [[Kursakanta]], [[Sikti]]
| Northeast =
| East = [[Jokihat]]
| Southeast =
| South = [[Jalalgarh]], [[Purnea]]
| Southwest =
| West = [[Raniganj (community development block)|Raniganj]]
| Northwest = [[Forbesganj]]
}}
{{Blocks of Araria district}}
{{Purnia Division}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Araria| ]]

Araria - Revision history

Stevenagok at 01:46, 4 May 2026