Naimisharanya Kshetram/Swayam Vyaktha Kshetram is one of the 108
Divya Desams of Lord Vishnu located on the river banks of Gomathi in Sitapur,
Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh. This is one of the eighth Swyam Vyaktha Kshetram
of Lord Vishnu and others are Sri Rangam, Srimushnam, Salagramam,
Thotadri/Vanamamalai, Tirupati, Pushkar and Badri.
Presiding deity – Sri Devaraja Perumal/Sri Hari with his consort
Goddess Sri Hari Lakshmi/Pundareekavalli Thayar
Vimanam – Sri Hari
Mangalasasanam – Thirumangai Alwar
Prathyaksham to –Lord Indra, Maharishi Veda Vyasa, Maharishi
Narada, Sage Suka, All deities & Sages,
Sannidhis – Lord Sudharshana, Lord Ganesha, Lord Rama, Goddess Sit
with Lakshman, Hanuman Garhi,
Sthalavruksham – Thapo Vanam
Theertham – Nemi Theertham, Divya Theertham, Vishrant Pushkarani,
Chakra Theertham, Gomathi Theertham
Worshipped by – Balarama, Gayasura,
Significance –
Maharishi Veda Vyasa categorized the sacred Veda into four major
categories such as Rig, Yajur, Sama and Atharvana.
Maharishi Veda Vyasa composed eighteen Puranas on this sacred land.
There are sacred shrines known as Vyasa Gaddi, Suka Gaddi are the places where
Maharishi Veda Vysa and Sage Suka imparted the knowledge on scriptures and Veda
to Sages.
Rishi Dadhichi Kund is located 20 kms away from Naimisharanya, the
place where Rishi Dadhichi gave off his bone in spinal at the request of Lord
Indra. Rishi Dadhichi had the strongest bones like diamonds as per the
boon of Lord Shiva. Lord Indra requested Rishi Dadhichi for his
vertebral, so that the deities could have a strongest weapon ‘Vajrayudha’ to
fight against the demons. The kindhearted Rishi Dadhichi
followed the request of Lord Indra and provided him with the vertebral for the
welfare of human being.
The legend has that Naimisharanya is the sacred woodland where
Lord Vishnu beheaded several demons in a Nimisha (second) with his fierce
weapon discus. This is one of the Abodes of Lord Vishnu on Earth
surrounded by quite lot of Sages and Rishis. Lord Vishnu dwells as Aranya
(woods) here, thus this sacred land has got its name ‘Naimisharanya’.
Another legend has that at the beginning of Kaliyuga, Suka
Sounakadis approached Lord Brahma with a great anguish and requested Lord to
recommend a righteous land on Earth to perform Yagnas, Yagas, Dhana and Tapass.
Lord Brahma set out his sacred weapon discus down to Earth and it wandered all through
the Earth. Finally, it landed on Naimisharanya. This is one of the
sacred lands on Earth where Rishis and Sages performed Yagnas, Yagas, Tapass
and Dhana for several years. It has the significance that this is the
single land on the Earth remains unscathed by the evil effects of Kali Yuga.
Lord Balarama visited this sacred land and found Sage Suka
completely immersed in the teachings of sacred scriptures. Lord Balarama
was hurt and hit Sage Suka. Due to this Lord Balarama was afflicted
with the sin for being inconsiderate. In order to get rid of the sin, he
visited many sacred lands and finally arrived in Naimisharanya. On this
land, he served Sages & Rishis by extending help in smooth functioning of
Yagnas and Yagas without any disruption from the demons.
Gayasura underwent severe penance and worshipped Lord Vishnu.
Lord was pleased at the devotion and appeared before him to provide boons.
But, Gayasura was arrogantly refused any boons from Lord. Furthermore, he
declared himself as the strongest. This infuriated Lord Vishnu and
set out his discus to cut off the demon. The body parts of Gayasura cut
into three pieces, head part fell on the sacred land Badri which is came to
known as Shiro Gaya, the middle portion fell on the sacred land Naimisharanyam
came to known as Nabhi Gaya and the final part fell on Gaya widely known as
Gaya Kshetram/Charana Gaya. Gayasura realized his superciliousness and
prayed to Lord. The compassionate Lord blessed Gayasura and the body
parts fallen on the Earth lingered as sacred lands to pay homage to ancestors.
