Araria

Araria, which was previously part of Purnia district, is part of the Mithila region.[1] Mithila first gained prominence after being settled by Indo-Aryan peoples who established the Mithila Kingdom (also called Kingdom of the Videhas).[2]

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 and Pañcāla. The kings of the Kingdom of the Videhas were called Jankas.[3] The Mithila Kingdom was later incorporated into the Vajji confederacy, which had its capital in the city of Vaishali, which is also in Mithila.[4]

Araria is primarily a rural district; 93% of the total population live in the rural areas (713 villages). Only two out of nine tehsils have 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 case of the female population. Agriculture laborers dominate the labor force (64.7% of the total) that is almost double of the national average.

There is a substantial concentration of minority (mainly Muslims) population. Against the state average of 20.52%, Muslims constitutes 49.4 per cent of the total rural populations, but their percentages are 77.5% in Jokihat, 62.70% of Araria, and 46.8% in Palasi subdivisions. The number of minority groups - Christian, Sikh, Buddhist and Jains - are negligible. The rural literacy rate is 33.2 percent, much below the state and national averages. The worst is female literacy rate, i.e. 20.4%. In other words, only one out of five women is literate. Even sex ratio, i.e., 917 is less than state and all India level.

Araria is located at 26.15°N 87.52°E / 26.15; 87.52.[5] 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 in northern side, Kishanganj in eastern side and Supaul at south-west side. The district came into existence by division of Purnia district on Makar Sankranti day of 1990. The district touches the Indo-Nepal international border also this area is very 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 used to pass through araria, although it long ago changed its path. Most important river 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 (specially after rain).

• The Hindi language writer Phanishwar Nath 'Renu' was born in this district at Aurahi Hingna village where his family still lives.
• Mohammed Taslimuddin Former Union Minister of State[6]
• Subrata Roy, chairman of Sahara Group
• Quaiser Khalid IPS, Maharashtra Cadre, Poet, Educationist[7]
• Pradeep Kumar Singh BJP Politician Member of Lok Sabha[8]

PM Modi's public meeting in Araria, till 1 pm only 32.82 percent[9] voting was done. In the second phase of Bihar assembly elections 2020, till 1 pm, 32.82% percent polling was done. Today, voting is going on in 94 seats in 17 districts of Bihar. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi[10] addressed a public meeting in Forbesganj of Araria. During this, PM Modi said, "Today, the people of Bihar have given a message not only to the country but to the whole world. In this crisis of Corona, when the world is stirred up, people of Bihar are leaving their homes, voting in such large numbers.

The movie Teesri Kasam was shot in 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.

Araria is the natural habitat of the Gangetic Dolphins. In the local rivers of Araria, Gangetic dolphins (South Asian river dolphin), or Platanista gangetica can be are found. Its average length is 2.5 meters.

• Durga Mandir in Kuari, on the border of Nepal.
• Kuari Bazar, for wedding shopping.
• Replica Stoop: situated Near Manikpur 5 km far from Araria district headquarter going towards Forbesganj.
• The six-storey Kali Mandir temple, popularly known as "Kali Mandir".
• Temple of lord Shiva located at the center of city in the ancient Thakurbari of Araria, known as Shiva Mandir or more commonly as Thakurbari itself.
• The Araria-Madanpur Shiva Mandir.
• Shiva temple in Madanpur.
• Sultan Phokher in Forbesganj is important for Hindu and Muslim communities.
• Maata Aasawar Mandir in Gidwas is very important for Hindu.
• Shiva Mandir in Sundernath.
• A mosque (Jama Masjid), attended by Muslim communities from the nearby region,
• Quba Masjid, is situated near navratan chowk. It is one of the famous mosque of this city.
• The burial ground (kabristan) is situated in the middle of the city in khalilabad muhalla. Khalilabad mosque is also situated at the same place.
• Newly constructed Masjid cum Madarsa at Diyaganj.
• Vishwa Islamic Ijtema was held at araria in 2013 in which 10-15 lakhs were gathered for spiritual and Islamic gains.

• Forbesganj
• Purnea
• Katihar
• Raniganj
• Artist

• Araria district profile
• http://www.udyogmitrabihar.in/docs/dp/araria.pdf