Hanuman Garhi Naimisharanya- Ancient Temple of India

Naimisharanya is specked with various holy pilgrimage sites, and Hanuman Garhi is one of them. Dedicated to Lord Hanuman, it is a historical sacred site in Naimisharanya that holds a prosperous mythic importance. The theme of this temple is a mythological event which portrays the emergence of Lord Hanuman from Patal Lok (underworld). In this event, he is accompanied by Lord Ram and his brother, Lord Laxmana, after winning against Ahiravana. One of the major allures of this popular Hindu temple in Uttar Pradesh is the stone idol of Lord Hanuman carrying Lord Rama and Lakshman on his shoulder. Hanuman Garhi is often inferred to as Dakshineshwar Temple as the presiding God of the temple faces the south (dakshin) direction. Besides its sacred importance, the temple furthermore attracts a lot of visitors because of the serene aura surrounding it.

The Lord Hanuman is one of the 5 Chiranjivees “The Immortals” and this spot is dedicated to him. When Lord Ram was Leaving the mortal world after achieving his phenomena, he gave up the empire of Ayodhya to Hanuman, his biggest Bhakt or lover.

Situated on the banks of River Gomti, the holy spot of Naimisharanya is connected to Lord Brahma, Lord Vishnu, Goddess Sati and Lord Shiva. The term ‘nemi’ refers to the external surface of the Sudarshana chakra (Lord Vishnu’s weapon), and it is asserted that the place where it dropped came to be recognized as Naimisharanya, the border of which encompasses the encircling jungle region. The place where the chakra hit the earth, a water stream came out. It is supposed to be the initial and the most blessed of all the pilgrim centres for Hindus, and devotees stop by this place to take a dip in the sacred water. It has been asserted that Rama Charitha Manas was jotted down here by poet Tulsidas. Another belief linked with Naimisharanya asserts that if you conduct penance here for 12 years, you will be bestowed gate to Brahmaloka (heaven).

Major enticements in Naimisharanya include Chakratirth, which marks the location where Brahma’s chakra dropped; Dashashwamedha Ghat, where Lord Rama conducted the tenth Ashwamedha Yagna; Hanuman Garhi, where Lord Hanuman is said to have arisen after his triumph over Ahiravana in Patal Lok; Lalita Devi Temple, devoted to the presiding God of Naimisharanya; NardanandSaraswati Ashram, a centre for spiritual teaching; Pandal Kila, the fort of king Virat from the epic Mahabharata; Sita Kund, where Goddess Sita is said to have bathed before leaving into exile, and multiple other important places.

Hanuman Garhi

In Treta yuga, the popular events took place involving Sri Rama Laksman, the huge believer Hanuman, and the devil Ravana. While carrying Rama and Laksman on his shoulders, Makardhvaj shifted their way, and this concluded in Hanuman appearing in Naimisharanya.

As described in Ramayana, when the devil AhiRavana abducted Rama and Laksman and spirited them off to Patalaloka, at the underside of the universe, Hanuman saved them. Upon retreating to Earth, he came at Naimisharanya.

The Hanuman Garhi temple at Naimisharanya is supposed to be one of the largely beautiful spots in the Tirtha. There is a self-manifested Hanuman God here, standing 18 feet tall, and a God of Hanuman with Rama on one shoulder and Laksman on the other. When believers reach to get darshan, they purchase big sweets and put them into Sri Hanuman’s mouth.

Hanuman Garhi furthermore recognised as Hanuman Gaddhi is a temple of Lord Hanuman situated in Naimisharanya where we discover 18 feet self manifested Lord Hanuman in an enormous structure. Naimisharanya is situated in Sitapur district of Uttar Pradesh approximately 90 km from Lucknow.

Hanuman garhi in Naimisharanya: Ahiravan (the younger brother of Ravan) had abducted Ramchandraji and Lakshman in Lanka and carried them to paatal (hell). Hanuman protected them and brought them out, at this spot. The murti of Hanumanji here is enormous — say about 15 feet high and is in a standing posture. There is furthermore a tiny idol of Makardhwaj — son of Hanuman, born of his perspiration, when returning from Lanka. Incidentally, we furthermore have two different Hanuman garhi — one in Allahabad and another in Ayodhya.

Ved Vyas jotted down the 18 Maha Purans, the Mahabharat besides gathering the four Veds. His disciple Lomaharshan handed over on this knowledge to his son Ugrashrav, also recognized as Sut ji Naimisharanya has the Sut gaddi where Sut ji recited all the purans to the 88,000 rishis — Shaunak and different rishis — commonly cited to as Shaunakadi or Shaunak etc.

Naimisharanya which locates a recognition possibly in all the Purans, furthermore has a tiny temple devoted to the five Pandavs who had departed by here.

Mishrikh : This spot is some distance away and needs a tiny detour on the Lucknow Road. Here rishi Dadichi gave his bones. As per Brahma Vaivart Puran, the gods once battled with the devils and managed to win against them. After the war rishi Dadhichi consented to protect their weapons in his ashram. The weapons commenced to relinquish their radiance with time, Dadhichi wiped them, drank the water and so consumed their energy; the weapons slowly subsided away. When the gods eventually arrived to claim their weapons Dadhichi proposed his bones for making weapons. Before that, he took a dip in the kund which was a compilation of sacred waters from various pilgrimage locations. This place has got its name from ‘mishrith’ meaning mixed.

The weapons generated were Arjun’s Gandiv, the ‘Pinak’ which Ramji cracked at Sita’s swayamvar, the ‘Sharang’ which is with Vishnu ji, and the fourth ‘Vajra’ with Indra.

Importance of Naimisharanya Tirth
It is reckoned that Lord Brahma had asserted that this is the spot which would persist intact from the uproar of Kaliyuga , the dreaded period of demise of creation on earth. It is furthermore significant that in historical India proficiency was worshiped and was strived to be got through all endeavors that is the case of Sage Shaunaka. Proficiency is furthermore considered as one of the sources that can soothe human being of any crime and any havoc of world. Knowledge was so venerated in historical India that scholars would penance for years to get it.

To give you a brief description about what to discover in Naimisharanya here is a list:

Chakra Tirth
Chakra Tirth is connected to Chakra or the wheel that was tossed to exhibit way of knowledge to Sage Shaunak. It is speculated that Chakra Kunda rids one of past misconducts. Getting rid of misdeeds and crimes is a consequence of skirmish in Hinduism though it has enormous significance. There are various other temples devoted to several gods and goddesses of Hinduism. The presiding God at Chakra Kunda is Lalitha.

Hanuman Garhi
Close to the Pandav Qila (Fort) there is enormous idol of Hanuman ji who is one of the most respected gods of Hinduism. It is asserted that it was the exact spot where Hanuman Ji appeared from Patal Loka after defeating demon Ahiravan who had abdicated Shree Rama and Lakshmana. To envision the event there is enormous statue of Hanuman Ji with Rama and Lakshmana sitting on his shoulders. So, it is one of the pilgrimage locations of Hinduism. There, one can glimpse statues of Ganesh Ji, Makardhwaj etc. The temple is furthermore named Dakshineshwar Hanuman ji as the sculpture of Hanuman Ji is overlooking towards South.

Pandav Qila
On the south west side of Chakratrith there is fort of Pandavas the popular characters of epic Mahabharata on the bank of River Gomti. Mythology goes that, this Qila (fort) was of King Virat of Mahabharata. It is speculated that Pandavas dwelled here during their exile. There, you can glimpse figures of Pandavas along with Lord Krishna. It is asserted that in 1305 AD, this fort was renovated by a Hindu Minister of Alauddin Khilji.

Lalita Devi Temple
It is believd that Goddess Lalita emerged on advice of Lord Brahma twice here. Once to regulate the water of Chakra tirth and again to assassinate devils in Devasur Sngram. Hint of this incident can be tracked in several Hindu Scriptures. People reach here to get look of Goddess Lalita after taking bath in sacred Chakra Tirth Pond.

Yvasa Gaddi
Maharishi Vyas, the writer of epic Mahabhararata is worshiped in Hinduism as an incredible sage and scholar. He had jotted down and compiled several Hindu Scriptures. Maharishi Vyas has penanced at the spot. It is speculated that the earliest pair of Human Race, Manu and Satrupa had penanced here for creation of world.

Havan Kund
Havan Kund is the fire-altar which historical sages and saints have utilized to conduct Yajna and different sacrifices.

Mishrikh -Dadhichi Kund
The mention of Mishrikh is in Padmapurana (Adikhand), the sacred scriptures of Hindus. It is speculated that it was the spot where Maharishi Dadhichi sacrificed his bones on the request of Gods. Mythology goes that there was a devil, Vrittrasur. He was extremely brutal to Gods. They wished Lord Vishnu to assassinate the demon to get rid of his anguish. Then Lord Vishnu said that he could be murdered by any weapon which is prepared of extremely religious material. All other weapons created of worldly materials ceased to function to assassinate the devil as he had got spiritual powers after penancing for great time. Then Gods reached sage Dadhichi to get his bones which have become extremely religious after a lengthy penance. Sage Dadhichi approved the request of Gods for a greater reason. Then Dadhichi gave up his bones for assassinating Vrittrasur.

Sita Kund:
This is the spot where Sita took bath before their exile to the jungle for 14 long years. All three, Rama, Sita and Laxmana stopped by here so the spot is worshiped.

Location
Misrikh Neemsar, Uttar Pradesh 261402, India.

Opening & Closing Timings
The temple of Hanuman Garhi stays accessible for visitors throughout the year. Believers can visit the temple on any day from Sunday to Saturday between sunrise to sunset.

Best Time to Visit
Hanuman Garhi can be visited any time during the year. The best time to stop by the temple is the winter season, which begins in the month of October and ends in the month of February. The weather is cool and delightful during this time.

How to reach Naimishaaranya?

By-Road

Highways from all major places connect them with Lucknow. The primary highways passing through lucknow are N.H-25, N.H-28 and N.H-56.
From there the path is Hardoi Road — Sandila — Venigunj -Naimisharanya. Distance from Lucknow is 100 km. There is furthermore another path via Sitapur.
Regular bus facilities are accessible from Lucknow, Hardoi, and Sitapur

By-Rail

It is linked by train from Balaanaur, Dist. Hardoi on the Balaanaur-Sitapur Branch Line on the Lucknow — Delhi major line of Northern Railway.
The train is accessible from Balaanaur to Sitapur and Naimisharanya is located on the way.

By Air

The closest airport for Naimisharanya is in Lucknow, which is at a distance of approximately 100 kms from Sitapur. From Lucknow Airport one has to take road path to arrive at Naimishaaranya.