Naimisharanya is a pilgrimage site which is located on the bank of river Gomati in Sitapur district. It is around 90 kms from Lucknow. There are other popular names of this site are- Nemish and Neemsar. One day to explore the different shrines of Naimisharanya is definitely worthwhile. This sacred place is also mentioned in both the Ramayana and the Mahabharata. It is said that without visiting it, your Char Dham journey is considered incomplete.
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History Behind the Name ‘Naimisharanya’-
There are multiple theories about the history of the name ‘Naimisharanya’. Here are the main theories of them.
- According to Varaha Purana-
‘एवंकृत्वा ततो देवो मुनिं गोरमुखं तदा, उवाच निमिषेणोदं निहतं दानवं बलम्। अरण्येऽस्मिं स्ततस्त्वेतन्नैमिषारण्य संज्ञितम्’
The name Naimisharanya is derived from the word ‘Nimisa’ which means a blink of an eye or the smallest unit of time. It is said that God told sage Gaurmukh that I have destroyed this demon army in a blink of an eye, that is why (in future) people will call this forest as Naimisharanya. - The second theory says that Maharishi Shaunak had a desire to conduct a long-term knowledge session. Pleased with his worship, Lord Vishnu gave him a wheel and asked him to go while spinning it; wherever the circumference (Nemi) of this chakra falls, consider that place as sacred and build an ashram there and conduct knowledge sessions. There were eighty-eight thousand sages with Shaunak. They all started moving behind that wheel. Nemi fell into a forest on the banks of river Gomati and there the chakra entered the land. That area was called Naimish (the land of 88 thousand sages) due to the falling of Nemi of the chakra.
- The third theory says that- at the time of defeating the demons, the Nemi (outer rim) of Lord Vishnu’s wheel fell here so it got the name ‘Naimish’ or ‘Naimisharanya’.
- According to the fourth theory, it was named Naimish because of the fruit ‘Nimish’ found in abundance at this place.
- However, another theory says that Maharishi Shaunak, a renowned sage, sought knowledge sessions and was given a wheel by Lord Brahma to spin. He and eighty-eight thousand Adrisi sages spun the wheel and started chasing it and travelled India, ultimately the wheel fell and entered a place and due to the fall of Chakra (Nemi) this pilgrimage was called ‘Naimish’.
Scenic Spots-
Here are many ancient mythological religious places/god places under Naimisharanya, which mainly include Chakratirtha, Maa Lalita Devi Temple, Bhooteshwar Nath Temple, Vyas Gaddi, Manu-Satrupa Tapasthali, Hanuman Garhi, Rudravart Tirtha, Trishakti Dham, Soot Gaddi, Devpuri, Rajghat, Dev Deveshwar Dham, Kali Peeth, Panchmukhi Hanuman Temple. Also, Misrikh-Dadhichi Kund is some distance from Naimisharanya.
1. Chakratirtha-
Chakratirtha is a well-known Hindu pilgrimage site in Naimisharanya, attracting many devotees. There is a circular lake in the Chakratirtha. The outer boundary of this lake is hexagonal.
According to mythology, Chakratirtha is the location where the wheel (chakra) struck the earth, forming a large water body. It is believed that taking a holy dip in this pond purifies the mind, body and soul.
नैमिषे चक्र तीर्थेषु स्त्रात्वा भारतसत्तम।
सर्व व्याधि विनिर्मुक्तो ब्रह्मलोके महीयते ॥
Chakratirtha is also referenced in the Mahabharata, Bharma Purana and Skanda Purana. Temples dedicated to various Gods and Goddesses are located around the lake.
According to legend, when the Chakra fell, a powerful stream of water emerged from the spot. Concerned about the raging waters, the sages prayed to Lord Brahma for help. In response, Goddess Lalita Devi, at Brahma’s request, stopped the stream by placing the chakra at the very spot.
Since then, Chakratirtha has become a major pilgrimage site, attracting devotees throughout the year, especially to flow in a small quantity, remaining in the Chakratirth.
2. Maa Lalita Devi Temple-
Maa Lalita Devi Temple is mentioned in the Puranas as a Shaktipeeth. It is also called that in the battle between gods and demons when the gods prayed to Lord Vishnu for the destruction of demons the Lalita Devi descended on the earth. Lalita Devi is also called Ling Dharini. There are statues of Lal Bhairav and Kameshwar- Kameshwari etc. also in the temple premises. Devotes visit the temple after the holy dip in Chakratirtha.
3. Bhooteshwar Nath Temple-
On the side of Chakratirtha, the very ancient Booteshwar Nath temple of Lord Shiva is present. He is called ‘Kotwal of Naimisharanya’ or ‘the guard of Naimisharnaya’. It is believed that Lord Brahma himself established the Bhooteshwar Nath Temple.
Also, It is believed that this Shivling changes its form three times a day. In the morning, it takes the form of a child, by the afternoon it appears in a fierce form and in the evening, it transforms into a peaceful form.
4. Vyas Gaddi-
Vyas Gaddi or Ved Vyas Ashram is one of the most important religious sites in Naimisharanya. It is believed that Maharishi Ved Vyas composed the four Vedas, six Shastras, 18 Puranas, the Gita, the Mahabharata and Shri Satyanarayan Vrat Katha at this location, known as Vedvyas Ashram. He also imparted the teachings of the Srimad Bhagavad Gita and the Puranas to his disciples—Jaimini, Sampayana, Sukadeva, Soota, Angira, and Pail.
Vyas Gaddi is located about 1 km south of Chakratirth. The temple is set beneath an ancient banyan tree, said to be over 5,000 years old, tracing its roots back to the Mahabharata era. Since Ved Vyas meditated under this tree, the site became known as Vyas Gaddi, where “Gaddi” means “seat.” The temple is situated on a small hill and can be reached by climbing 10-12 steps. Inside the temple stands a 3-foot statue of Lord Ved Vyas.
5. Manu-Satrupa Tapasthali-
As you step into the temple premises, a sense of positivity fills your mind. Inside the temple, you’ll find beautiful statues of Lord Manu and Goddess Shatrupa, revered as the first humans in Sanatan Dharma.
The human world is said to have originated from the first man and woman in Naimish. According to legend, they began their lives by performing penance at this holy site, establishing a profound connection between Naimisharanya and the story of Manu-Shatrupa. In front of Vyas Gaddi lies the exact spot where they are believed to have meditated and undertaken their penance.
6. Hanuman Garhi-
In Naimisharanya, a large statue of Lord Hanuman holds great significance. When Ahi Ravana captured Lord Ram and Lakshman and took them to the Paataal, Lord Hanuman defeated Ahi Ravana. As he carried Lord Ram and Lakshman on his shoulders, Makardhvaj changed their path, due to which Lord Hanuman appeared apparently in Naimisharanya. Statues of Lord Ganesh, Makardhwaj and the Panch Pandavs, along with various other temples, are among the other major attractions.
7. Rudravart Tirtha-
This temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva, which is the only one of its kind, is located around 7 kilometres away from Chakratirtha and the Shivling is not visible there. This place is also known as “Rudravart Tirtha” and “Rudravart Kund”. The Rudravart temple stands as a rare and remarkable testament to the divine power of Mahadev, which even astonishes scientists.
When five fruits are offered in the temple kund, two to three fruits are returned while the others are accepted as offerings in the water, creating a miraculous phenomenon. People believe that deep in the river, in Patalpuri, there is a Shivling of Lord Shiva and this is why such miracles occur.
8. Trishakti Dham-
Trishakti Dham Temple in Naimisharanya is a beautifully designed temple known for its vibrant architecture. At the entrance, there is a temple dedicated to Lord Ganesha, while the centre features a stunning white idol of Lord Vishnu. The temple’s layout includes stairways that lead to Goddess Durga’s shrine, along with several other smaller temples.
Built in the South Indian architectural style, the temple includes a Satsang hall on the ground floor and offers rooms and lockers for visitors. Managed by a trust from Andhra Pradesh, this temple is a key destination for those seeking a spiritual experience in Naimisharanya.
9. Soot Gaddi-
Soot Gaddi is a sacred site in Naimisharanya. Sage Soot conveyed the teachings of 6 shastras and 18 puranas to Rishi Shaunak along with 88,000 other sages at this very place. Also, Sage Soot conducted the inaugural Shri Satyanarayan Vrat Puja here.
10. Devpuri-
Devpuri Temple, located 1. 5 km west of Chakratirth, was built by Swami Shri Nardanand and is the largest ashram in the Naimisharanya pilgrimage. The five-story temple houses 108 temples. The first floor features 27 temples depicting various deities, while the second floor showcases nine forms of Goddess Navadurga. The third and fourth floors house deities and Navagrahas, while the fifth floor includes temples dedicated to several gods and idols brought from Jaipur.
11. Rajghat-
Rajghat, also called Dashaswamedh Ghat, is a significant spot for devotees visiting Naimisharanya. It is known as the most beautiful ghat of Adiganga Gomti in the sacred land of Naimisharanya. The evening aarti of Maa Gomti performed here is a captivating and spiritual experience for all who attend.
12. Dev Deveshwar Dham-
The temple area of “Dev Deveshwar Dham,” also known as “Shiv Lok,” features a unique self-manifested Shivling that displays three colours—red, black and white. The significance of Dev Deveshwar Dham is emphasised in the Vayu Purana, which extols its beauty and spiritual importance. It is believed that taking a holy dip and offering prayers here on the Chaturdashi of Kwar Krishna Paksha can help cleanse one’s sins.
13. Kali Peeth-
Kaali Peeth, also known as Kalika Devi Temple, is an important temple in Naimisharanya dedicated to Goddess Kaali. It is renowned for its striking statue of Maa Kaali and is situated near the Lalita Devi Shaktipeeth, drawing thousands of visitors each year.
14. Panchmukhi Hanuman Temple-
The Panchmukhi Hanuman Temple, situated near Lalita Devi Shakti Peeth in Naimisharanya, is renowned for its unique five-faced idol of Lord Hanuman i.e. Hayagriva, Narasimha, Garuda, Varaha and Hanuman himself. The temple also features prominent depictions of two Narasimha-Vishnu avatars, as well as striking representations of Garuda and Varaha. This site is a popular destination for both devotees and visitors, making it a must-see attraction in the region.
15. Dadhichi Kund-
Dadhichi Kund, also spelt as Mishrikh, is an important pilgrimage site located about 10 kilometres from Naimisharanya. It is a popular destination often visited by devotees alongside Naimisharanya. According to legend, when the gods sought a way to defeat the demon Vritrasura, they turned to Lord Brahma for guidance. In response, Lord Brahma requested Maharishi Dadhichi to donate his bones to create the powerful Vajra weapon. Before fulfilling this request, Maharishi Dadhichi wished to bathe in the sacred waters of all Indian rivers. He combined water from these rivers for his bath at this location, which led to the place being named Misrikh, meaning “mixed.”
Significance of Naimisharanya-
- It is said that Lord Shri Ram performed the Ashwamedha Yagya at this place.
- It was at this place that the Mahapuranas and Ramcharitmanas were written.
- The story of Lord Satyanarayan was narrated here for the first time.
- It was here that Maharishi Dadhichi donated his bones to Devraj Indra.
- It is said that Lord Brahma had blessed this place that it will remain free from the effects of Kaliyuga.
- This is the place where Lord Brahma created Manu and Satrupa who did penance for 23000 years.