Incredible India! Tirat var Namish vikhyata Incredible Uttar Pradesh!

Ati punit sadhak sidhi data

Naimisharanya / Misrikh
Yagyavatasch sumhan gomatya naimise vane
aagyaptaam mahabaho tadhi punyamuttama
-Valmiki Ramayana
Introduction
In the human body, the brain has specific significance due to its properties. In the same way, some places on the earth are unique due to
their properties.That is why these places are considered as holy in the form of pilgrimage sites.
Located on the banks of the holy rivers, these shrines once used to be the center of penance and worship of the sages, because green
forests and pure environments were favourable for spiritual activities.Also, these peaceful pilgrimage centres attracted a lot of followers.
With the development of modern civilization, these pilgrimage sites became associated with business activities but their basic belief
continued.
One such pilgrimage site is Naimisharanya in Sitapur district of Uttar Pradesh, whose glory is described in the Puranas. It is said that
Shaunak Rishi went to Lord Brahma to pacify the thirst of knowledge. Lord Brahma gave him a 'Chakra' (disk), asked him to keep rotating
it and said that wherever the rim of the chakra falls, consider it as a holy place and establish an ashram there. Many other sages along with
sage Shaunak left for this purpose. Finally, on the banks of Gomti river, the rim of the chakra fell and got absorbed by the land. Since then,
this place became popular as 'Naimisharanya'. According to legend, the name of Naimisharanya is the abnormality of Nimisha, which
means the splendour of the eye. During the Vedic period, it was known as a major education center. According to legendary belief,
Naimisharanya was the center of learning of 88,000 sages.
It is said about this place, mentioned as Naimish in Valmiki Ramayana that Shri Rama had performed the 'Ashwamedh Yagya' on the banks
of river Gomti - 'Laxman was appointed to protect the horse with the Rishis, while Sri Ram left with the army for Naimisharanya'.
According to Mahabharata,Yudhisthira and Arjuna had visited this place of pilgrimage.The story of this place is also found in 'Aaine Akbari'.
The birthplace (Baari) of the pride of Hindi literature, Mahakavi Narottam Das is also located near Naimisharanya.
It is said that Sage Soot had taught the story and essence of the 18 myths to Shaunak and other sages here. Sri Krishna's brother Balram
also came here in Dwapar and performed a sacrifice. In ancient times, large area of this picturesque site was forested. Due to the calm and
pleasant atmosphere it is an ideal place for study, meditation and learning.
 The ancient and prevalent 'Sri Satyanarayan Katha' originates from the holy land of Naimisharanya.
It begins with the mention of Naimisharanya

Ekda Naimisharanye rishiyah shaunakadayah

prapuchumanyah sarve sutam pauranikam khalu

Once in the supreme spiritual place for Vishnu and other Gods, Naimisharanya, Shaunak and other sages
ritualized a great yagya for thousand years with the desire to attain God.
-Srimadbhagvat Mahapuran - Chapter 1
Naimisharanya is mentioned in the Koorm Purana, in which it is said to be famous in all the three
worlds-
Eedam trelokyam vikhyatam, teertha naimishuttamam
Mahadev priyakaram, mahapataknashanam
While it is mentioned in Sri Devi Bhagwat that Chakrtirth and Pushkar are the best pilgrimage
centres, devouts believe that the journey to Badrinath and Kedarnath is completed only after
completing the journey to Naimisharanya.

That is why, in the Shri Ramcharitmanas, Goswami Tulsidas had said this in the virtue of glory of
Naimisharanya -
Tirat var Namish vikhyata. Ati punit sadhak sidhi data
Naimisharanya is recognized everywhere as the glorified pilgrimage place because of such special
glory. That is why every year a large number of devotees come from distant places to visit this
place.
Chakratirth, Bhooteshwarnath Temple, Vyasgaddi, Hawankund, Lalitadevi Temple, Panchprayag,
Shesh Temple, Kshemkaya Temple, Hanumangarhi, Shivala-Bhairavji Temple, Panch Pandav Temple,
Puraan Mandir-Ma Anandmayi Hermitage, Naardanand Saraswati Hermitage-Devpuri Temple,
Ramanuj Kot,Ahobil Math, Paramhans Gauriya Math etc. and Mishrikh, Dadhichikund situated 10
km away and Hatyaharan pilgrimage site situated 12 km away are major attractions of Tirtha
Naimisharanya.

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Since the Naimi (rim) of Brahma's chakra fell here, the forest turned sacred due to the religious rituals of
sages and became famous as Naimish van. From that very time naimisharanya became a suitable
centre of penance for sages.
- Shivapurana
 Chakratirth
There is a circular lake in the Chakratirth, in which devotees worship and perform
puja. It is believed that this is the place where the 'Chakra' given to Maharishi
Shaunak and other Rishis by Lord Brahma got absorbed in the earth. Chakratirth
has also been mentioned in the Mahabharat, Brahma and Skand Purana.The temples
of Goddesses are set up around the lake. In relation to Chakratirth, there is a
mention in Shri Devi Bhagwat -

Prathamam Naimisham punyam, chakratirtham cha Pushkaram.

The legend is that a raging stream of water rushed out from the spot where the
Chakra dropped by Lord Brahma fell.The sages prayed to Lord Brahma to stop the
stream.At the behest of Brahma, Lalita Devi stopped the prevailing water stream by
establishing the Chakra in the same place. Since then, there has been a continuous
inflow of devotees throughout the year, but their numbers increase on Somavati
Amavasya.The stream flows out in small quantity and remains in Chakrakund.There
are places like Bhuteshwarnath temple, Sootgaddi, Chakranarayan temple,
Badrinarayan temple, Shivalaya-Bhairavji, Kashikund, among others, near
Chakratirth.
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A large stone idol of Lord Hanuman
 Hanumangarhi
There is a huge stone statue of Lord Hanuman near the Pandav Fort.
Lord Ram and Lakshman are sitting on the shoulder of this magnificent
statue. According to hearsay (Janshruti), Lord Hanuman appeared
here from the Pataal after killing Ahiravan.Therefore, this place holds a
very special place in the hearts of numerous devotees. Each year
people in large numbers arrive here from every corner of the country
to pay obeisance. Located on the stairs of the temple, the statues of
Lord Ganesh, Makardhwaj and Panch Pandavs along with various
other temples are major attractions here.

Pandav Fort (KILA)

Pandav fort is located in the South-West direction of Chakratirth on
the banks of river Gomti. According to legend, this fort belonged to
King Viraat of the Mahabharat period. The story of Pandavas staying
here at the time of exile is also prevalent.There are sculptures of Lord
Krishna and Pandavas on the mound.The fractal column of the fort is a
witness to its antiquity. A gate in the fort is built in the Hindu style.
According to legend, the fort was rebuilt by Alauddin Khilji's Hindu Hamumangarhi
minister in 1305.

9
Lalita Devi Temple

Varanashyam Vishalakshi, Naimishe Lingdharini.

10
LalitadeviTemple
Lalitadevi is the dominant deity of Naimisharanya which has been mentioned in the puranas as a
shaktipeeth. It is believed that in the battle between gods and demons, when the gods prayed to
LordVishnu for the destruction of demons, then Lalitadevi descended on earth. Devotes take a
dip in the Chakratirth pond before payiig visit to the shrine of Lalitadevi.There are statues of Lal
Bhairav and Kameshwar-Kameshwari etc on the temple premises.
Nearby are temples dedicated to Panchmukhi Lord Hanuman, Panch Prayag, Shesh Narayan,
Ram Sewri temple, Paramhans Gaudiya Math, Kalipeeth, Lalita Ashram, Nanakshah Sikh
Gurudwara, Nimbark Ashram, Kshemkaya Devi, Radha Bihari temple etc.

Swami Naradananda Saraswati Ashram

Ancient traditions of spirituality and education can still be seen in Naimisharanya. In the
ashram of Swami Naradananda Saraswati, education is imparted through the ashram concept.
There is also a Devpuri temple here.
About one kilometer west of the ashram, on Hardoi Road, there are ancient sites of Rudravart Goddess Lalitadevi
and Dev-Deveshwar.

Paramhans Gaudiya Math

This math is significant to the believers of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu sect. It was
established by Swami Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati.

Laliteshwar Mahadev
Glorified Banyan Tree (Vatvriksha)
 Vyasgaddi : According to legend, it was on this holy land that Maharishi Vyas
created Vedas and Puranas. It is believed that the interaction between
Maharishi Shaunak and Soot happened near this place. Besides, in a
congregation of 84,000 seers here, Soot narrated various Puranas and stories
of the Mahabharat for 12 years. It is mentioned in the Matsya Mahapurana:
Sutmekagramseenam Naimisharanyamvasinah.
Near Vyasgaddi are ancient Vatvriksha, Vyas Vatika, Odiya Baba temple,
Jagadbandhu Ashram, and ashrams of Manu, Shatrupa and sage Kashyapa.
Puran Mandir - Ma Anandmayi Ashram : In this Puran temple near
Hanumangadhi all four Vedas are kept. Not far from there are Anandmayi
Ashram, Narsinh Temple, Nepali temple, Jagannath temple, Panch Pandav Vyasgaddi
temple, Lakshmi Narayan temple and Gopal temple etc.
Kalipeeth : In the temple premises a grand statue of south facing goddess kali
is a special attraction. Inside the temple statues of Dashmahavidya, Navdurga
and 51 Shakti peeths are established.
God Valekar Maharaj Tapasthali Kalipeeth : The temple is visited by
thousands of devotees to pay tribute to the great saint God Valekar Maharaj of
Maharashtra.
Other Attractions : Besides the above mentioned sports, Naimisharanya is
also home to Rudravarth, Devdeveshwar, Soot Gaddi, Devpuri, Rajghat,
Dashashwamedha Ghat, Bhooteshwar Mahadev, Sidheshwar Mahadev, Bramha
Varth, Manu-Satrupa Tapasthali,Tirupati Balaji,VedVyaas Dham etc. Kalipeeth Godvalekar Maharaj
Trapasthali Kalipeeth
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 In the Aadi chapter of Padma Puran, it has been said in the glory of Misrikh as-

Tato gachchet Rajendra, Misrikh Tirthamuttamam

Tatra Tirthani Rajendra, Mishritani Mahatmana.

Dadhichikund
 Misrikh
Located about 10 kilometers away from Naimisharanya, Misrikh is an important
pilgrimage for devouts. It can easily be covered on the trip to Naimisharanya. It is
believed that after getting fed up of the atrocities of Vritrasur, the gods sought help
from Lord Brahma. Lord Brahma asked Maharishi Dadhichi to donate his bones for
theVajra weapon required to be made to killVritrasur.
Before he gave away his bones, Maharishi Dadhichi expressed his desire to take a
bath in sacred water from all the rivers of India. Since the great sage mixed water
from all rivers to bathe hence the place acquired its name Mishrit or Misrikh.

Sitakund
According to legend, Sita took a bath at this place when Lord Ram, Sita and Laxman
were on the way to the forest after they left for exile from Ayodhya.This is why the
place got famous as Sitakund.

Dadhichikund
Dadhichikund is believed to be constructed during the period of King Vikramaditya.
Later, Queen Ahilyabai renovated it. There are many old temples on all sides of
Dadhichikund. Dadhichi temple is the oldest among them.There is also a well in the
centre of Dadhichikund. It is believed that holy water from all teerths or pilgrimages
was collected in this well. Besides, there is the Dadhichi Ashram and several other
temples in the area.

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PARIKRAMA (Circumambulation) Tourist spots
Naimisharanya is well-known for its 84-kosi parikrama or circumambulation. Lord in the vicinity
Ram is believed to have conducted a yajna-parikrama in Naimish area: 'Anubhiya
mahayagyam Naimishe Raghunandanam'. Thereafter, Maharishi Dadhichi also
Hatyaharan
performed the parikrama. It is remarkable from the historical perspective of the About 12 kilometers from
parikrama that even to this day, those who undertake the parikrama are called Naimisharanya is Hatyaharan, which
'Ramadal' by the common folk.This parikrama is performed every year in a grand way is mentioned in various ancient texts.
from the Phalgun Amavasya to Phalgun Purnima. According to mythology, Lord Indra,
A uniquely special feature of this parikrama is that it gives devotees a rare Lord Ram and Balram came here to
opportunity to see the namesakes of India's best-known pilgrimages in the form of get rid of a curse. This also comes
sacred places. Prominent among these are Ayodhya, Karnaprayag, Vishnu Prayag, under the 84-kosi parikrama of
Nand Prayag, Guptakashi, Trijuginath, Badrinath, Kedarnath, Kapilmuni, Gangasagar, Naimisharanya. A fair is organized on
Jagannathpuri, Baijnath, Mathura, Vrindavan, Gokul, Barsana, Dauji, Govardhan, the banks of the lake in Hatyaharan in
Madhuvan, Nandgaon, Dhruvteela, Kalighat, Chitrakoot, Rameshwar, Dwarika and the month of Bhadrapad. Besides,
Mansarovar. ancient temples are also worth
visiting. Not far are the archaeological
dunes of Ori Deeh.
Baadi
About 36 kilometers from the
Naimisharanya-Sidhauli highway is a
place called Baadi. It is famous as the
birth place of the great poet
Narottamdas who is the creator of
Sudama-Charit and other classics.

Gola Gokarnanath Frog Temple, Oel

Gola Gokarnanath
Located about 110 kilometers from Naimisharanya on
a hillock, Gola Gokarnanath is a place of mythological
importance. Apart from the main shrine, there are
several small temples and holy water bodies at this
place mentioned in several sacred texts. In the main
temple, there is a round stone in a well four feet below
the ground as a linga or phallus.
Among tourist places nearby are Devkali (33 km from
Gola Gokarnanth) and the unique Medhak Mandir or
Frog Temple (49 km from Gola) in Oel. There is also
the Gajmochan Lake which is worth a visit.

Hanumat Dham
About 125 kilometers from Naimisharanya is
Hanumat Dham in Shahjahanpur. It is famous for a 104-
feet tall grand idol of Lord Hanuman and attracts
hoardes of devotees. The holy site is on Visratghat on
the banks of the Khannaut River.

• Hardoi - 34 km • Sitapur - 40 km • Sidhauli - 47 km

• Lucknow - 95 km • Dudhwa National Park - 170 km
• Kanpur - 175 km • Bithoor (Brahmavarta) - 197 km
• Ayodhya - 235 km

104 feet high magnificent statue of Lord Hanuman.

How to reach • Nepali Dharamshala, Purva Ward,
Lalitadevi-Chakratirth road
Naimisharanya is situated about 95 km by road from Lucknow. • Morarka Bada Dharamshala, Uttar
Facility of travelling by bus/taxi is available. On the Lucknow-Delhi Ward, Laltadevi-Chakratirth road
train route, from Balamau railway station to Sitapur rail line lies the • Shri Ark Suryavanshiya Kshatriya
Naimisharanya railway station. Dharamshala
• Vishwakarma Dharamshala, Purva
Nearest Airport- Lucknow (Chaudhary Charan Singh Ward, Lalitadevi-Chakratirth road
International Airport) Travel-tours are arranged from Lucknow by • Vishram Sadan, Barabanki
Uttar Pradesh State Tourism Development Corporation. Dharamshala
• Balmukund Ashram Dharamshala,
Contact details: Dakshina ward, near Ramanuj Temple
UPTOURS, Hotel Gomti • Kolkata Dharamshala
6-Sapru Parg, Lucknow • Rastogi Dharamshala
Tel: 0522-2612659, 2615005 • Marwadi Panchayati Dharamshala
E-mail: uptourslko@up-tourism.com • There is Dharamshala in Misrikh too
Important Telephone Numbers • Nardanand Ashram
• District Magistrate, Sitapur 05862-242900, 242996
• Superintendent of Police, Sitapur 05862-248315, 272704 Hotel of Naimisharanya
• SDM, Misrikh 05865-222241 • Hotel Treat Vaishnav, Bhojanalay
Tel. : 9670006205, 9838621907,
• Police Station, Naimisharanya 05865- 251219
Email : treatfamilyrestaurant@gmail.com
• Post Office, Naimisharanya 05865-251201 • Hotel Krishna Sparsh
• Post Office, Misrikh 05865-222270 Tel. : 9005113150, Email : krishan.sparsh70@gmail.com
• Hotel Abhaydeep, Tel. : 9792515585
Accomodation Facility Kali Peeth Atithi Bhawan, Tel. : 9936146700
• Modi Guest House Email : gopalpujari@gmail.com,
kalipeethsansthan@gmail.com
• Dixit Satsang Bhavan and Atithi grih
• Chaudhary Paragilal Dharamshala U.P. Tourism Accomodation Facility
• Shri Sanadhya Dharamshala
Paryatak Awas Grih, Naimisharanya, Tel.: 05865-251287
e-mail : rahitbneemsar@up-tourism.com
 Map

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E-mail: uptourismlko@up-tourism.com
Tel No : 0522-2307670
 Naimisharanya is a supreme pilgrimage.
It bestows enjoyment as well as salvation.
- Agni Puran 'tirth-mahatmay-varnan'

You haven't seen India till you've seen U.P.

Directorate of Tourism
C-13, Vipin Khand, Gomtinagar, Lucknow 226010
Tel.: 91-522-2307037, 2307028, Fax: 91-522-2308937
E-mail: upstdc@up-tourism.com
Website: www.uptourism.gov.in
Online Booking Portal - www.uttarpradesh.gov.in
Shivalinga-
Chakratirth, Naimisharanya Printed 3000 copies, March 2018
Printed at Prakash Packagers, 257-Golaganj, Lucknow Tel. 0522-2200425