Arang
Arang is a historic town and nagar panchayat in the Raipur district of Chhattisgarh, India, situated approximately 40 kilometers east of Raipur on the western bank of the Mahanadi River.[1] Renowned as the "temple town" of Chhattisgarh, it features numerous ancient Hindu and Jain shrines from the 11th and 12th centuries, including the stellate Bhand Deval Temple dedicated to Jain Tirthankaras and the Khajuraho-style Bagh Deval Temple, reflecting Kalachuri architectural influences.[2][3] With a population of 19,091 as per the 2011 census, Arang serves as the headquarters of Arang Tehsil and is a key cultural and tourist destination in the region.[4] The town's antiquity traces back to at least the 4th-5th century CE, evidenced by Brahmi inscriptions and Gupta-era copper plates such as the Arang Plate of Bhimasena II, indicating early rule by dynasties like the Rajarshitulyakula and later the Haihaya Rajputs.[1][3] A prominent local legend associates Arang with King Mayuradhwaja (also called Marodhvaja), who, according to the Jaimini Bharata, offered half his body to Krishna in a test of devotion, leading to the town's name derived from "ara" (saw) and "anga" (body); this tale also explains a regional taboo against using saws.[3][1] Other notable sites include the Mahamaya Temple, Chandi Maheswari Temple, and a memorial statue commemorating the folk heroes Chandini and Lorik from regional poetry.[1] Arang's cultural significance lies in its blend of Hindu and Jain heritage, with archaeological protections by the Archaeological Survey of India for structures like the Bhand Deval, which boasts intricate Tirthankara sculptures and an iron-strapped shikhara.[3] The town also preserves gemstone images and brick foundations from earlier periods, underscoring its role as a center of Dakshina Kosala's medieval religious architecture.[1] Today, it attracts visitors for its temples, historical legends, and proximity to Raipur, contributing to Chhattisgarh's tourism landscape.[2]History
Legendary Origins
Local legends associate the origins of Arang with the story of King Mayuradhwaja (also known as Mordhwaja or Murta-dhwaja), drawing from ancient Indian epic traditions elaborated in the Jaiminiya Ashvamedhaparva, a supplement to the Mahabharata. In this narrative, Krishna, disguised as a Brahmin, tested the king's devotion by requesting half of the king's body (or his son's in some variants) to be severed with a saw during a period of ritual austerity. Without hesitation, the king consented, demonstrating profound bhakti (devotion).[5][6] Moved by this selfless act, Krishna revealed his true form, revived the offered sacrifice instantaneously, and bestowed immortality upon Mayuradhwaja and his family as a boon. This miracle transformed the site into a hallowed ground, symbolizing the triumph of faith over personal loss in Hindu mythology. The narrative highlights Arang's role as a place of divine encounter through local tradition.[5] In broader Puranic lore, Mayuradhwaja is depicted as an early mythical ruler from the Haihaya dynasty, a legendary Yadava lineage associated with central India. This connection embeds the town within epic cycles of kingship and cosmic order, highlighting its cultural reverence in tales of dynastic valor and spiritual trials.[6] The etymological association of Arang with the legend derives from "ara" (saw) and "anga" (body), commemorating the sacrificial act, which also explains a regional taboo against using saws. The king's name, Mayuradhwaja, translates to "bearer of the peacock banner" (mayura-dhwaja), evoking the peacock as a royal emblem of beauty, immortality, and divine protection in Hindu symbolism. These mythical foundations later transitioned into documented historical records under empires like the Guptas.[5]Historical Records and Rule
The earliest documented historical reference to Arang comes from the Arang copper-plate inscription issued by Maharaja Bhimasena II of the Rajarsitulyakula (or Panduvamshi) dynasty, a feudatory lineage under the Gupta Empire.[7] Dated to Gupta Era 282 (corresponding to 601 CE), the inscription records a land grant and highlights Arang's role as an administrative center in the Dakshina Kosala region, underscoring its significance in local governance and agrarian economy during the late Gupta period.[3] This artifact, discovered through archaeological excavation, provides evidence of the area's integration into the broader Gupta imperial framework, with Bhimasena II acknowledging suzerainty to Gupta overlords.[7] In the medieval period, Arang emerged as a prominent center under the Haihaya Rajput dynasty, which claimed descent from ancient Haihaya lineages mentioned in foundational myths.[1] From the 11th to 12th centuries, the dynasty, also known as the Kalachuris of Ratnapura (Ratanpur), exercised rule over the region, with Arang serving as a key political and religious hub evidenced by the construction of numerous Hindu and Jain temples during this era.[8] The Haihayas' administration fostered cultural patronage, as seen in architectural remains like the Bhand Deul Temple, reflecting their consolidation of power in central India following the decline of earlier dynasties.[9] Following the medieval era, the region encompassing Arang transitioned under Maratha influence in the 18th century before being incorporated into British-administered territories as part of the Central Provinces, with Raipur as the regional capital.[8] These areas, including former princely states like Raipur and Ratanpur, were merged into Madhya Pradesh after India's independence in 1947, remaining so until Chhattisgarh was carved out as a separate state on November 1, 2000.[8]Geography
Location and Topography
Arang is situated at 21.2°N 81.97°E, with an average elevation of 267 meters above sea level.[1] The town lies approximately 36 km east of Raipur along National Highway 53 (NH53) and occupies the western bank of the Mahanadi River in Raipur District, Chhattisgarh, India.[10][1][11] Arang spans an area of 23.49 km² and forms part of the Arang tehsil and Arang development block.[12][13] The topography features flat plains typical of the Chhattisgarh Basin, encompassing gently undulating terrain surrounded by extensive agricultural lands and areas proximate to regional forests.[14][15]Climate
Arang features a tropical wet and dry climate classified as Aw under the Köppen system, marked by distinct seasonal shifts including intensely hot summers, a vigorous monsoon period, and relatively mild winters.[16] The region's average annual temperature stands at approximately 26°C, with recorded extremes reaching a low of 12.5°C during winter nights and a high of 44.3°C in the peak of summer.[17][18] Precipitation averages around 1,300 mm annually, with over 80% concentrated in the monsoon season from June to September, when monthly totals can exceed 300 mm, particularly in July and August.[18][19] In summer (March to May), dry conditions prevail amid scorching heat, with average highs climbing above 40°C and low humidity intensifying the discomfort. The monsoon transforms the landscape with frequent heavy downpours and high humidity, sustaining local agriculture such as rice farming through reliable moisture. Winters (October to February) bring cooler, drier weather, featuring average highs of 25–30°C and minimal rainfall, often below 20 mm per month.[18][20]Demographics
Population Statistics
Arang's population has shown steady growth over the past two decades, as documented in India's national censuses. The 2001 Census recorded a total population of 16,629, comprising approximately 51% males and 49% females, with a population density of 706 persons per square kilometer. This figure reflects the town's status as a developing urban center in Raipur district, Chhattisgarh. By the 2011 Census, the population had increased to 19,091, indicating a decadal growth rate of approximately 15%. The population density rose to 812.7 persons per square kilometer, underscoring continued urbanization and spatial expansion within the town's 23.49 square kilometer area. The sex ratio stood at 978 females per 1,000 males, highlighting a slight gender imbalance consistent with broader regional patterns.[4] As a nagar palika, Arang is classified as primarily urban, with no significant rural component within its administrative boundaries. Note: The 2021 Indian census was postponed and not conducted as of 2025, so the following are projections based on 2011 data and growth trends. Based on Chhattisgarh state trends and extrapolations from census growth rates, population projections for 2021-2025 estimate between 22,000 and 25,000 residents, driven by migration and local economic factors.[4]| Census Year | Total Population | Males (%) | Females (%) | Sex Ratio (F/1000 M) | Density (per km²) | Decadal Growth Rate (%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 | 16,629 | 51 | 49 | ~960 | 706 | - |
| 2011 | 19,091 | 50.6 | 49.4 | 978 | 812.7 | ~15 |