Top 5 Best Places to Visiting in Purbi Champaran – Historical & Spiritual Sites

1.George Orwell Birth Place

For literature and history buffs, a visit to Motihari in Bihar reveals a treasure — the birthplace of George Orwell, one of the most celebrated writers of the 20th century. Infamous around the world for novels like Nineteen Eighty-Four and Animal Farm,(Orwell’s origins lie in this quiet Indian town in a humble corner near Gopal Sah High School.

Eric Arthur Blair, et plus connu par son pseudonyme George Orwell, a vu le jour le 25 juin 1903 à Motihari, au cours de la domination britannique. His father, Richard Blair was a British minor civil servant in Indian Civil Service and he came from a French-Burmese background — son of a teak merchant in Burma (now Myanmar).

Although Orweel spent only his early Infancy in India, and though it is thougnt only symbolic african origins to be indians – and to imply subsequent guilt for colonil evils perpetrated bye english wherever you look.

Orwell’s legacy thanks to his went commentary with fear against power, politics and civil society. His writing – particularly Nineteen Eighty-Four and Animal Farm – are primers for literature and political debate globally. A visit to his birthplace provides an opportunity to think about the roots of a writer whose writings continue to reverberate through generations.

2.Gandhi Memorial Chandrahiah

Located in the East Champaran district of Bihar, the small village of Chandrahiya is an important chapter in India’s freedom struggle. It was here, on the 16th of April, 1917, that a famous minute in history passed – one that would spark the flames of the Champaran satyagraha, Mahatma Gandhi’s initial mass movement in india.

🐂 The Day Gandhi Was Stopped
Gandhi set off to Jasaulipatti to hear of complaints of local farmers who were coerced into growing indigo under exploitative colonial rules, when he was stopped at Chandrahiya. A British police officer, riding a horse-drawn buggy, served Gandhi a letter from Champaran Collector W.B. Heycock outbidding him to leave the district straight away.

Mindful of the law, Gandhi went back – not in a golden chariot, but quietly in a bullock cart – and returned to Motihari. This was not a withdrawal.

⚖️ Birth of a Movement
Just two days later, Gandhi faced the sub-divisional magistrate in Motihari. In calm defiance and moral courage he declined to go from Champaran saying that the presence was needed to serve the peasants. This brave stance marked the beginning of the Champaran Satyagraha — India’s first civil disobedience movement that would pave the way for India’s nonviolent struggle for freedom.

🕊️ A Memorial of Resolve
Today Gandhi Memorial in Chandrahiya is not just physically construction but symbol of peaceful foundations, justice, and Gandhian values. Coming here visitors can chart the simple but eventful life of a movement which reshapes India’s future.

• 📍 Visiting Details
• Location: Chandrahiya village,(tweet) East Champaran district, Bihar

• Best Time to Visit: Oct to March for gentle weather and more recent exploration of Champaran’s heritage trail

3.Someshwar Shiv Mandir, Areraj

North Bihar’s community of Areraj rests 28 kilometers from Motihari in a spiritual region where history and devotion meet heritage. Lakhs of pilgrims as well as seekers from India and Nepal converge at the ancient Someshwar Nath Mahadev Temple which stands at the heart of this religious town each year.

The Spiritual Heart of North Bihar
One of the region’s most important religious sites exists in the Someshwar Shiv Mandir. For devotees this temple which honors Lord Shiva stands as a centuries-old place of faith. Thousands gather at the temple each July–August during Shravan month to participate in massive Shrawani Mela ceremonies where they give holy water to Lord Shiva and recite sacred mantras alongside spiritual practices.

Devotees walk many miles across uneven terrain to pour sacred Ganga Jal water on the Shivling because it symbolizes their extreme devotion. The district resonates with spiritual energy as devotees unitedly chant “Har Har Mahadev” while the town fills up with their fervent worship.

The pilgrimage site of Areraj serves its visitors more than just religious purposes.
Someshwar Nath Temple anchors Areraj as its main religious center but the town maintains extensive historical roots. A major historical artifact of Bihar is the Ashokan Pillar which originated from the reign of Mauryan Emperor Ashoka while boasting significance in Buddhism’s historical propagation.

This once small hamlet has transitioned into an active town.
The former small village has developed into an active township that leads as the main administrative center for Areraj Subdivision. The area’s spiritual atmosphere along with its historical background creates a destination which attracts different types of travelers.

• 📍 Travel Information
• Location: Areraj, East Champaran District, Bihar

• Best Time to Visit: July–August for Shrawani Mela, or October–March for general tourism

4.Ashokan Pillar, Lauria Areraj

Lofty stone column raised by the wise Lord Ashok in 249 BC in a village near Areraj in Lauriya situated on the edge of Areraj – Bettiah Road. The pillar, Stambh dharma lekh though beneath it, which records in good preserved and well cut letters, six of his edicts, as a single block of fresh sandstone: 36 ½ feet in height above grade, the base diameter 41.8 and the top 37.6 inches. The weight of this only portion is very nearly 34 tons, and as these must be several feet of the shaft lying on the earth. It’s a 40 ton load of the entire brick. This pillar has no Capital. Pillar was crowned a animal statue, as explained a report but, later it was shifted to be held in the Kolkata museum.
The edicts of king Ashoka are more obviously and truly defined, and are twofold, that to the north consisting of 18 lines, that to the south of 23 lines. But later these are not a good maintenance condition and got damage from weather impact. The villages name the pillar a ‘Laur’ that is the Phallus and the adjoining village is derived from it Lauriya.
The Ashokan pillar was declared as an Indian monument to be protected by the Archaeological Survey of India.

5.Gandhi Sangrahalaya, Motihari

The laying of foundation stone falls June 10, 1972 by former Governor Mr. D.K. Barooch and was dedicated to the nation by Mr. Vidyakar Kavi, Gandhian 18 April 1978. This memorial pillar has been created by the renowned artist of Santiniketan, mr nandlal bose to pay tribute to the memory of mahatma gandhi’s champaran satyagha who first openly protested against cruel treatment meted out by British indigo planters upon poor peasants of champaran.

The 48 fect long Chunar stone pillar is placed on the spot where Mahatma Gandhi, was produced before the court of then S.D.M., Motihari against order under section 144 Cr. P. C. as far as in Jury 18, 1917. Mahatma Gandhi first Satyagrah Motihari ki bhoomi पर Kiya tha, isliye Champaran Baap Of India’s independence movement launched by Gandhi ji.

Gandhi Museun shows an assortment of photographs and relics of the Champaran Satyagraha.

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