108 Divya-deshams: Naimisharanya

BY: SUN STAFF

Chakra Kund, 600 meters from Shri Naimishnath Vishnu Temple Photos: Wiki CC

Dec 16, 2023 — CANADA (SUN) — A tour of the 108 Divya-desams, the divine abodes of Lord Vishnu and Lakshmi.

Earlier this year we offered a 12-part series on Sri Naimisharanya dhama, which is one of the Divya-deshams. Lord Visnu's abode at Naimisharanya is located in the Sitapur District of Uttar Pradesh on the banks of the sacred Gomati River. Also known as Neemsar it is mentioned in the pasurams or verses of Alwars. The temple is also mentioned in Nalayira Divya Prabandham. It is Swayamvyaktha Kshetra, one of eight sacred temples that have self-manifested.

Shri Naimishnath Vishnu Temple, also known as the Naimishnath Devaraja Temple or Ramanujar Kot Temple, is dedicated to Lord Vishnu and Lakshmi Devi. The temple is believed to be of significant antiquity with contributions at different times from the ruling kings. The holy teerths Chankra Kunda and Gomati River are closely associated with the temple and many come to take holy bath here.

Naimishnath Vishnu inside the sanctum sanctorum

Indra, the king of the devas, was once driven out of Devaloka by Vritrasuara. Vritra was granted the boon that he could not be killed by any weapon known at that time, and no weapon made of wood or metal could harm him. On the advice of Lord Brahma, Indra performed penance to Vishnu at the Naimish forest for 2,000 years. Pleased, Lord Vishnu appeared before Indra and revealed that only the weapon made from the bones of the sage Dadhichi would defeat Vritra. Indra requested the sage for his bones; the sage granted the request and sacrificed his life. Indra created the vajra (thunderbolt) from the sage's spine and slew Vritra.

The Temple's exterior architecture is South Indian, with one small gopuram, while the interior is North Indian architecture. It has a gold Garuda stambh facing Lord Vishnu's garba griha with Garuda murti engraved in it. A small sabha mandap is connected to the garba griha, with three more dedicated to Vishnu, Lakshmi and Ramanujacharya. All three garb grihas are aligned adjacently.

The mool garb griha of Vishnu opens into the main (mool) garb griha, where Vishnu murti is black in colour, in standing posture and facing Garuda stambh. Lakshmi and Bhudevi are standing nearby. Lord Vishnu murti is always covered in silver ornaments.

Chakra Kund (chakra teerth) is located at a distance of 600 meters from the Vishnu Temple. Sage Suta (or Maharshi Suta), the author of 18 puranas, resided here and presented sastra to the sages. The central deity is believed to have presided over the forest and hence the puja (rituals) are done to the forest. Naimisharanya Chakra Tirth is an anomaly as it is a river which flows in a circular motion, the water originating from an underground source. It is mentioned in many of the Vedas.

Wiki CC 4.9

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