All about Arrah

Arrah gets its name from the Aranya Devi Temple, dedicated to Goddess Shakti, that is located in the city and is surrounded by the rivers Ganga and Son. Aranya in Sanskrit stands for “forest”, indicating that the surrounding area of this city was once heavily forested.

The city also finds mention in mythology. It is said that sage Vishwamitra, Lord Ram's Guru, had his ‘Ashram’ in this region and Lord Rama is said to have killed the demon Taraka near Arrah.

In 1529, Babar christened the city as Shahabad or the City of the King to mark his victory against the Afghans of Bihar.

During the British Raj, it formed a part of the Bengal presidency and was considered a major centre of trade and culture. Remnants of colonial architecture can be seen among the Indian style buildings even today. Beautiful temples add to the attraction of the city.

You can visit the Jain temple of Bisram (rest), that is dedicated to the 24th Tirthankara Lord Mahavir. It is said that Lord Mahavir rested here during his travels. An impressive stupa stands in the place where he delivered his sermon.

Located at an hour’s drive from Arrah, in Brahmapur, is the famous Shiv Temple (also known as Brahmeshwar Nath), that is believed to have been built by Lord Brahma, the ‘Creator of the Universe’ in honour of Lord Shiva. It is believed that the Shiv Ling here emerged from the underground many moons ago. Devotees line up this temple on the days especially dedicated to Lord Shiva.

Like to eat local? You can savour the regional delicacies and shop for handicrafts to your heart’s content. The city is dotted with new restaurants that buzz with tourists as well as local footfalls. Arrah is sure to surprise you.

Beyond the Fort

A major tourist destination in Bihar due to its numerous attractions and proximity to the state capital of Patna, Arrah is a beautiful weekend getaway destination surrounded by verdant greens and beautiful rivers. It is only 40 km from Patna and is easily accessible by different modes of transport.