Naimisharanya Temple

Getting there

• By air

  The nearest airport is in Lucknow, which is connected to all the metropolitan cities of India.

• By train

  Trains also reach Naimisharanya from Balamau Junction.

• By road

  Buses run from Lucknow, Kanpur, Agra and several other towns. Naimisharanya is well connected by road to all the cities of Uttar Pradesh.

Why devotees come here

Naimisharanya is an ancient forest pilgrimage site on the Gomti river in Sitapur district, Uttar Pradesh. Its Lalita Devi temple is counted among the 51 Shakti Peethas. Legends link the forest to the Puranas, the Ramayana and the Pandavas.

The ancient forest of Naimisharanya lies on the left bank of the Gomti river in Sitapur district. Legend says Maharishi Ved Vyas created the Puranas here. The place is regarded as the first setting where the Puranas were narrated, before a large gathering of sages. The forest is also believed to be the penance place of King Nimi of Videha.

Legend says Ram and Sita bathed here to wash away the stigma of Ravana's death, and that the Pandavas came here during their exile. In the Ramayana, Lava and Kusha recite the whole epic here, and their recital convinces Rama that they are Sita's sons. Shaunaka once held a twelve-year sacrifice here, attended by many seers.

Signs of a large university from the post-Vedic period suggest that 88,000 rishis gained knowledge of the shastras here. The town also has several other temples of note.

Tips for your visit

• The entrance to the pilgrimage site is flanked by elephant statues on both sides.
• Chakratirth is described as the holiest spot in Naimisharanya, and the Lalita Devi temple is at walking distance from it.
• Vyas Gaddi, near Chakratirth, is said to be where a rishi divided the Vedas into four parts and created the Puranas.
• The district site suggests taking a taxi to Naimisharanya from Lucknow, which is 110 km away.

Questions people ask