Are you looking for a spiritual and cultural getaway in India? Do you want to explore a place that has witnessed the creation of the Vedas, the Mahabharata, the Ramayana, and the Puranas? Do you want to visit a place that has been blessed by Lord Vishnu, Lord Rama, Lord Balarama, and Tulsidas? If yes, then you should plan a trip to Naimisharanya, a sacred and ancient pilgrimage site in Uttar Pradesh.
Naimisharanya is a small town located on the banks of the Gomti river, about 90 km from Lucknow. It is one of the most revered places for Hindus, as it is believed to be the abode of Lord Vishnu, the preserver of the universe. Naimisharanya is also the place where many Hindu scriptures and legends were composed or narrated, such as the Vedas, the Mahabharata, the Ramayana, and the Puranas. Naimisharanya is also associated with many sages, gods, and heroes, such as sage Dadhichi, Lord Rama, the Pandavas, Lord Balarama, and Tulsidas.
Naimisharanya is a place that offers a rich and diverse experience for the visitors. You can visit the various temples, shrines, and ponds that are dedicated to different deities and stories. You can also enjoy the scenic beauty and tranquility of the place, as you walk along the river or take a boat ride. You can also shop for some souvenirs and handicrafts, and taste the local cuisine. Naimisharanya is a place that will fill you with peace, joy, and devotion.
In this article, we will tell you everything you need to know about Naimisharanya, such as its history and mythology, places to visit, things to do, how to reach, best time to visit, and where to stay. Read on to find out more about this amazing destination.
History and Mythology of Naimisharanya
The name Naimisharanya means “the forest of Naimisha”, which is derived from the Sanskrit word “naimisha”, meaning “a moment”. According to Hindu mythology, Naimisharanya was created by Lord Brahma, the creator of the universe, when he was looking for a place to perform a sacrifice. He used his chakra (discus) to cut a piece of land from the earth, and placed it on the Gomti river. The chakra kept spinning for a moment, and then stopped at a spot, which became the center of Naimisharanya. This spot is known as Chakratirth, and is considered to be the most sacred place in Naimisharanya.
Naimisharanya is also believed to be the place where Lord Vishnu resides in his cosmic form, as the Naimisha forest. It is said that anyone who visits Naimisharanya attains the blessings of Lord Vishnu, and is freed from the cycle of birth and death. Naimisharanya is also the place where many Hindu scriptures and legends were composed or narrated, such as the Vedas, the Mahabharata, the Ramayana, and the Puranas.
Some of the stories and events that took place in Naimisharanya are:
The creation of the Vedas: It is said that Lord Brahma taught the four Vedas (Rigveda, Yajurveda, Samaveda, and Atharvaveda) to four sages (Agni, Vayu, Aditya, and Angira) in Naimisharanya. The sages then passed on the knowledge to their disciples, who spread it across the world.
The Mahabharata: It is said that the Mahabharata, the epic that narrates the story of the Kurukshetra war and the Pandavas, was recited by sage Vaisampayana to King Janamejaya in Naimisharanya. King Janamejaya was the grandson of Arjuna, one of the Pandavas, and he wanted to know the history of his ancestors. Sage Vaisampayana told him the story that he had learned from his guru, sage Vyasa, who was the author of the Mahabharata.
The Ramayana: It is said that the Ramayana, the epic that narrates the story of Lord Rama and his wife Sita, was recited by sage Lomaharshana to a group of sages in Naimisharanya. Sage Lomaharshana was the disciple of sage Valmiki, who was the author of the Ramayana. He told them the story that he had learned from his guru, who had witnessed the events of the Ramayana.
The Puranas: It is said that the Puranas, the ancient texts that contain the stories of various gods, goddesses, and sages, were narrated by sage Lomaharshana to his son Ugrashrava in Naimisharanya. Sage Lomaharshana had learned the Puranas from sage Vyasa, who had compiled them from various sources. He told his son the stories that he had learned from his guru, who had instructed him to spread them to the world.
The sacrifice of sage Dadhichi: It is said that sage Dadhichi, a great devotee of Lord Shiva, sacrificed his life and bones in Naimisharanya, to help the gods defeat the demons. The gods needed a weapon made of the bones of a sage, to kill the demon Vritrasura, who had a boon that he could not be killed by any metal or wood. Sage Dadhichi agreed to give his bones, and meditated in Naimisharanya until he left his body. The gods then used his bones to make a thunderbolt, called Vajra, and gave it to Indra, the king of the gods, who killed Vritrasura with it.
The visit of Lord Rama: It is said that Lord Rama, along with his wife Sita and brother Lakshmana, visited Naimisharanya during his 14-year exile in the forest. He met sage Bharadwaja, who welcomed him and offered him hospitality. He also met sage Vashishtha, who was his guru and family priest, and sought his blessings. He also performed a yajna (sacrifice) in Naimisharanya, to please the gods and seek their protection.
The exile of the Pandavas: It is said that the Pandavas, the five brothers who fought the Kurukshetra war, spent some time in Naimisharanya during their 12-year exile in the forest. They met sage Vyasa, who was their grandfather and the author of the Mahabharata, and sought his guidance. They also met sage Lomaharshana, who narrated to them the stories of the Ramayana and the Puranas. They also performed a yajna in Naimisharanya, to seek the favor of the gods and prepare for the war.
The birth of Lord Balarama: It is said that Lord Balarama, the elder brother of Lord Krishna, was born in Naimisharanya. He was the son of Vasudeva and Rohini, who were the parents of Lord Krishna. However, due to a prophecy that the eighth son of Vasudeva would kill the evil king Kamsa, Vasudeva had to exchange his newborn son Krishna with the daughter of Nanda and Yashoda, who were the cowherds of Vrindavan. He also sent his wife Rohini to Naimisharanya, to protect her from Kamsa. Rohini gave birth to Balarama in Naimisharanya, under the protection of sage Garga, who was the family priest of the Yadavas, the clan of Vasudeva and Krishna.
The composition of Ramcharitmanas: It is said that Tulsidas, the 16th-century poet and saint, composed his famous work Ramcharitmanas, which is a Hindi version of the Ramayana, in Naimisharanya. He was inspired by the stories of Lord Rama that he had heard from his guru, Naraharidas, who was a disciple of sage Lomaharshana. He wrote the Ramcharitmanas in the Awadhi dialect of Hindi, and made it accessible to the common people. He also performed a yajna in Naimisharanya, to invoke the blessings of Lord Rama and Lord Hanuman, before starting his work.
As you can see, Naimisharanya is a place that has a rich and glorious history and mythology, that makes it a unique and fascinating destination for the seekers of spirituality and culture.
Places to Visit in Naimisharanya
Naimisharanya is a place that has many places to visit, that are related to the various stories and legends that we have mentioned above. Here are some of the places that you should not miss when you visit Naimisharanya:
Chakratirth:
This is the most sacred place in Naimisharanya, as it is the spot where Lord Brahma’s chakra stopped spinning, and created the Naimisha forest. There is a pond here, where you can see the imprint of the chakra on a rock. There is also a temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu, who is also known as Chakranarayan. You can take a dip in the pond, and seek the blessings of Lord Vishnu.
Lalita Devi Temple:
This is the main temple in Naimisharanya, dedicated to Goddess Lalita, who is an aspect of Goddess Shakti, the consort of Lord Shiva. She is also known as Tripurasundari, the most beautiful of the three worlds. The temple is said to be one of the 51 Shakti Peethas, where the parts of Goddess Sati’s body fell, when Lord Shiva carried her corpse after her self-immolation. It is believed that the heart of Goddess Sati fell here, and hence, the temple is also called Hridaya Peetha. You can worship the idol of Goddess Lalita, and attend the aarti (ritual worship) that takes place every morning and evening.
Vyas Gaddi:
This is the place where sage Vyasa, the author of the Mahabharata and the Puranas, sat and composed his works. He also taught the Vedas to his disciples here. There is a small temple here, dedicated to sage Vyasa, where you can see his statue and pay your respects. You can also witness the beautiful sunset from this place, as it overlooks the Gomti river.
Hanuman Garhi:
This is a temple dedicated to Lord Hanuman, the monkey-god and the devotee of Lord Rama. It is said that Lord Hanuman stayed here for some time, when he was searching for Sita, who was abducted by the demon king Ravana. He also met Tulsidas here, and inspired him to write the Ramcharitmanas. The temple has a large idol of Lord Hanuman, and a smaller idol of Lord Rama and Sita. You can offer prayers to Lord Hanuman, and seek his protection and strength.
Pandav Kila:
This is a fort that was built by the Pandavas, during their 12-year exile in the forest. It is said that they stayed here for some time, and performed a yajna to seek the favor of the gods and prepare for the war. The fort is now in ruins, but you can still see some of the structures and walls that were built by the Pandavas. You can also explore the nearby caves, where the Pandavas hid their weapons.
Sita Kund:
This is a pond where Sita, the wife of Lord Rama, took a bath, when she visited Naimisharanya with her husband and brother-in-law. It is said that the water of the pond turned golden, due to the touch of Sita, who was the incarnation of Goddess Lakshmi, the consort of Lord Vishnu. The pond is also known as Swarnakund, meaning the golden pond. You can take a dip in the pond, and feel the divine presence of Sita.
Mishrikh: This is a place located about 20 km from Naimisharanya, where Tulsidas composed his famous work Ramcharitmanas, which is a Hindi version of the Ramayana. He also performed a yajna here, to invoke the blessings of Lord Rama and Lord Hanuman, before starting his work. There is a temple here, dedicated to Tulsidas, where you can see his statue and his writings. You can also visit the nearby ashram, where he lived and taught his disciples.
Neemsar: This is a place located about 25 km from Naimisharanya, where Lord Balarama, the elder brother of Lord Krishna, was born. He was the son of Vasudeva and Rohini, who were the parents of Lord Krishna. However, due to a prophecy that the eighth son of Vasudeva would kill the evil king Kamsa, Vasudeva had to exchange his newborn son Krishna with the daughter of Nanda and Yashoda, who were the cowherds of Vrindavan. He also sent his wife Rohini to Neemsar, to protect her from Kamsa. Rohini gave birth to Balarama in Neemsar, under the protection of sage Garga, who was the family priest of the Yadavas, the clan of Vasudeva and Krishna. There is a temple here, dedicated to Lord Balarama, where you can worship his idol and seek his blessings.
These are some of the places that you can visit in Naimisharanya, and experience the spiritual and cultural richness of the place. You can also visit some other places, such as Dadhichi Kund, where sage Dadhichi sacrificed his life and bones, Naimisharanya Museum, where you can see some artifacts and sculptures related to the history and mythology of the place, and Naimisharanya Forest, where you can enjoy the natural beauty and wildlife of the place.
