Aaranya or Aaranyaka parva is the third of the 18 main parvas.
This parva mainly describes the exile of the Paandavas in the forests named Kaamyakam and Dvytham. Occassionally, it mentions some developments occured at home i.e Hasthipuram too. Incidentally, a number of intermediary episodes related by the sages to the Paandavas and very detailed descriptions of a number of pilgrim places are also found.
The popular episodes from this parva include Nala's story, Raama's story, Saavithri's story, Parashuraama's story , Agasthya's story and Rishyashringa's story.
There is a detailed description of a number of wholy places.
Also, interesting questionaires of Yaksha and Nahusha are pleasant to read.