Aranya Devi Temple, Arrah

Aranya Devi Temple stands at Sheesh Mahal Chowk at the north-eastern end of Arrah, the headquarters of Bhojpur district, which is said to be named after the goddess. She is regarded as the city's presiding deity, and the temple is counted as a Siddh Pitha. The temple building, recorded as established in 2005, had become dilapidated, and as of 2022 a new multi-storey building was being raised in its place.

Legends tie the site to the epics. Vishvamitra is said to have told Rama and Lakshmana of the goddess's glory on their way to Janakpur, and they bathed in the Ganges and worshipped her here. The Pandavas are said to have stayed in Arrah during their exile, and Yudhishthira installed the image of Aranya Devi after a dream. Another tale tells of King Mayurdhwaj, ready to sacrifice his son to meet Krishna's test of charity until the goddess appeared. Of the two images in the temple, the larger is said to be Saraswati and the smaller Mahalakshmi.