Ahilya Sthan

History

Bihar Tourism’s Darbhanga destination list includes Ahilya Sthaan with access from Darbhanga town and Kamtaul rail halt. Regional belief holds that Rama restored Ahilya from stone through his touch, and that Ram Navami rites at the kund remain important for local devotees, including visitors from Nepal.

The site sits in Ahiyari village south of Darbhanga (postal address listed as Ahilya Mandir, Ahiyari South). Female priests conduct worship in some local traditions noted on state tourism materials.

Stories

The ashram where Ahalya was freed

According to the Ramayana, Rama and Lakshmana, travelling with the sage Vishvamitra, came upon a deserted hermitage. Vishvamitra told them it was the ashram of the sage Gautama, whose wife Ahalya had been cursed to remain unseen like a stone until Rama came there.

When Rama entered the ashram, Ahalya was freed from the curse and honoured him. Tradition places this ashram at Ahalya Sthan, near Kamtaul in Darbhanga district, and the temple here is dedicated to Ahalya.

Fairs at Ram Navami and Vivah Panchami

The Darbhanga district website describes Ahilya Sthan as a well-known temple about 3 km south of Kamtaul railway station, in a village called Ahilya Gram. It says large fairs are held there every year at Ram Navami, in the month of Chaitra, and at Vivah Panchami, in Agrahayan.

Both festivals fit the place well, since the Ramayana story of Ahalya is set on Rama's road to Mithila, the land of Sita.

Good to know

Ramayana-linked Ahilya shrine in Ahiyari, Darbhanga district

Listed on Bihar Tourism Darbhanga district page

Ram Navami draws devotees for kund snan and temple offerings

Getting there

Rail: Kamtaul station, then local transport to Ahiyari. Road from Darbhanga (~40 km east of Sitamarhi on regional maps). Air: Darbhanga or Patna, then taxi.