Naimisaranya is a sacred place located on the left bank of the
Gomati River, in
Sitapur District of
Uttar Pradesh. The place is also known as Nimsar or Nimkhar. Naimisaranya is about 80 km north-west of
Lucknow and 60 km from
Sitapur.
This place is mentioned frequently in the Mahabharata and Ramayana. Legend says that it is the place, where Lord Vishnu flung his chakra (discus) at the demons and Lord Ram performed a sacrifice for killing Ravana. The Pandavas also spent a short time here during their Agyant Baas (exile).
There are a number of religious places in Naimisaranya. Among these, the most important one are Panch Prayag, Vyas Gaddi, Soot Gaddi, Sri Hanuman Garhi and Mishrit. Major points of attraction here are the Chakra Teertham (a holy kund) and a temple dedicated to Lalita Devi. The temples of Chakranarayana, Lord Ganesh, Lord Ram and Lakshman are worth visiting.
Regular buses connect this holy place with Lucknow, Khairabad and Sitapur. Naimisaranya Bus Station, situated a little off the road, is an eight-minute rickshaw ride from the Chakra Teertham. Sandila Railway Station is the nearest railhead, about 10 km to the south-east.
