Sri Devaraja Perumal Temple (Thiru Naimisharanyam)
Sri Deva Rajan (Lord Vishnu) :
Sri Devaraja Perumal Temple is one of the famous Hindu temple. Sri Devaraja Perumal is Providing his dharsahan in his entire in the form of the Vanam(forest).
Goddess Pundarikavallai (Lakshmi)
Naimisharanyam, also known as Neemsar, Nimsar or Nimkhar is Hindu temple dedicated to Vishnu located in the north Indian state of Uttar Pradesh. It is one of Divya Desams; there are 108 temples of Vishnu revered in Nalayira Divya Prabandham by the 12 poet saints or Alwars. The temple is believed to be of significant antiquity with contributions at different times from the ruling kings. The temple is considered as one of the eight temples of Vishnu which are self-manifested and are classified as Swayamvyaktha Kshethra in India.
This place has also been visited by Sage Sankaracharya and the famous poet Sant Surdas resided here. Suthar the author of 18 Puranas is believed to have lived here and presented his sayings to these sages. The central deity is believed to have presided over the forest and hence the puja (rituals) are carried out in the forest.
The temple is counted as one of the eight temples of Lord Vishnu self-manifested and is classified as Swayamvyaktha Kshethra.(Seven other temples in the line are Srirangam Ranganatha Swamy temple, Bhu Varaha Swamy temple, Tirumala Venkateshwara Temple, and Vanamamalai Perumal Temple in South India and Saligrama, Pushkar and Badrinath Temple in North India). Naimisharanyam temple is revered in Nalayira Divya Prabandham, the 7th–9th century Vaishnava canon, by Thirumangai Azhwars in ten hymns. The temple is classified as a divyadesam, the 108 Vishnu temples which are revered in the Vaishnava canon.Devas and Maha Rishis were gathered at one place. They were searching for a good place to publish Tatva Gnana. All the Maha Rishis along with Sage Sownakar went to Lord Brahma and asked him which is the best Suitable place for doing Yagam (ritual) and tapas. Lord Brahma offered them Chakram (Wheel) called as “Naimi”. Lord Bharma informed that after he rolls the Chakram where the Chakram stops is the place is sacred and the best place for doing tapas and Yagam. This place is now known as “Naimisharanyam”. “Naimi” means Chakram (Wheel) and ""Naimisam"" means the place where the Chakram (Wheel) landed. ""Aaranyam"" means Forest. Since Nemi, the Chakram which landed on Aaranyam the forest, the place is called as ""Naimisharanyam"". Lots of Rishis (Sages) and Yogis (Saints) have done their tapas and dhyanam, and also explained the old Puranas and vedams in this Naimisharanyam. Once Sri Balarama the brother of Sri Krishna once came to this place. At that time, Sage Sownakar, Soothapuranikas and many other Rishis was busy with creating an epic. They didn’t notice the arrival. Of Sri Balarama who was enraged and killed all the Soothapuranikas. Hence Sri Balarama inherited the sin by killing them. To be relieved from this sin he visited number of Sacred places for one year and finally returning to Naimisharanyam and assist the Rishis and Yogis in their endeavors, Sri Balarama was thanked by all Rishis and Yogis for allowing them to perform
Sri Devaraja Perumal temple is considered as Tapovanam (forest of penance), because the presiding deity Lord Deva Raja (Lord Vishnu) is believed to reside in the forest. The ritual to the presiding deity is believed to be carried out at the forest. And the goddess of the temple is Pundarikavalli Thayaar. There are nine Tapovanam, holy forests, are found.
They are:
Taking bath in Chakra Theertha and River Gomathi; Pithru Ceremonies (Pinda Daana, Thila Tharpana)
Charity can be offered in the form Cow (Godana), Vruksha Dana (Tree), Sayya Dana (Bedding), Vasthram Dana (clothes) and Wheat. It is believed that charity offered here in the name of forefathers, their Pithruganas in whichever world they might be will purge and be free of all their sins and attain divinity and salvation.
Every new moon day, large number of people purifies themselves with dip in this holy well. If the new moon falls on Monday, it is believed that holy bath in this well and offering prayers to the presiding Deity Lalitha Matha who will wash away all the sins of individuals, who have committed during their lifetime.
* Photography is Prohibited
Sri Devaraja Perumal Temple,
Misrikh-cum-Neemsar, Uttar Pradesh
PINCODE: 261402
The temple is located between Hardoi and Sitapur in Uttar Pradesh. Some trains from important cities to Lucknow stop at Haridoi. One can hire taxi from Lucknow for half day to visit Naimisharanyam
BUSES :
The National Highway No. 24 (Lucknow – Delhi) passes through the heart of Sitapur city. There are private and government buses ply to major cities.
By Rail :
The district is traversed by meter gauge railway from Lucknow to Bareilly and travel on broad gauge train network connecting Gorakhpur and Delhi via Gonda, Burhwal, by passing Lucknow and Hardoi.
By Air :
Chaudhary Charan Singh International Airport, Lucknow is the nearest airport.
Dormitory facilities are available at Sri Balaji Mandir which are organized by Sri Vikhanasa Samajam (Sri Vaishnava). They are also providing Anna danam to visitors & tourists. Orthodox individuals need to be prepared for their own food arrangements.
