Naimiá¹£ÃÂraá¹Âya (), also referred as Naimisha () is a sacred forest frequently mentioned in Puranic literature, as well as both the Ramayana and the Mahabharata. It is regarded to be the place where the Puranas had been narrated for the first time, before a large gathering of sages. The ancient forest corresponds to modern day Nimsar, situated along the Gomati river in the Sitapur district of Uttar Pradesh, India.
The Brahmanas derive the name Naimiá¹£ÃÂraá¹Âya from 'nimiá¹£ÃÂ', "a twinkling of the eye"; hence Naimiá¹£ÃÂraá¹Âya means "a forest or pool where in the twinkling of an eye sage Gauramukha destroyed an army of Asuras." Naimiṣëyàfigure for the first time in the BrÃÂhmaá¹Âas and the Upaniá¹£adic Literature. These words denote the dwellers in the Naimiá¹£a forest. They are mentioned in the KÃÂthaka-Saá¹Âhitàand BrÃÂhmaá¹Âas being clearly of special sanctity.
In the Varaha Purana, it has been described as the region where the daityas (a clan of asuras) were slain within a nimià Âa (smallest unit of time), and the place was made an abode of peace.
According to the RÃÂmÃÂyaá¹Âa, Naimiá¹£a was situated along the Gomati river. The sanctity attached to the place was such that RÃÂma desired to celebrate Aà Âvamedha sacrifice in this forest, and accordingly, placing his younger brother Laká¹£mana assisted by the priests in charge of the steed, himself went to the forest. It was during the sacrifice that Valmiki with his disciples came there and constructed some comfortable huts at a distance. Then Lava and Kuà Âa recited the whole Ramayana, which convinced Rama that they were the twin sons of SëtÃÂ. Ultimately, Bhumi appeared at Sita's invocation and, proving her innocence, accompanied her into the bowels of the earth.
In the Adi Parva of the Mahabharata, the forest is mentioned as situated towards east (prÃÂcëm dià Âam) of the mountain regions of Himavat which contained many sacred spots. In the epic, there are frequent references to á¹Âá¹£is living in Naimiá¹£ÃÂraá¹Âya and performing sacrifices extending for years.
Here à Âaunaka had performed a twelve years sacrifice which was attended by a large number of seers, of whom the most prominent and distinguished was Ugraà Ârava-Sauti, the son of Romahará¹£aá¹Âa. His personality attracts the attention of all the scholars of Indian culture. He is described as well-versed in the PurÃÂá¹Âas which he cultivated with meticulous devotion. Sauti's father Romahará¹£aá¹Âa who was a disciple of the great Ká¹Âá¹£á¹Âa-DvaipÃÂyana VyÃÂsa, had once narrated the story of ÃÂstëka before the inhabitants of the forest at the latter's request.
It is also believed that the river Sarasvatë had turned her course towards the east to see the great á¹Âá¹£is (sages) dwelling in the forest.
Naimisaradya village lies within the Misrikh tehsil of Sitapur district, Uttar Pradesh. It covers an area of approximately 466 hectares and had a population of about 1,420 as per the 2011 Census. The village is situated adjacent to the main Naimisharanya pilgrimage area, and serves as one of the key local habitations supporting pilgrims and temple activities.
Anogi (Hindi: à ¤ à ¤¨à ¥Âà ¤Âà ¥Â) is a village in Machhrehta block of Misrikh tehsil in Sitapur district, Uttar Pradesh, India. It forms part of the Lucknow Division. Th and is often associated with this pilgrimage site. It functions as an independent gram panchayat (village council).
Thakurnagar is another settlement situated in the vicinity of Naimisharanya and likewise appears in the list of 36 villages under the Naimisharanya Dham development notification. It is believed to lie along or close to the traditional parikrama (circumambulation) route associated with the Dham.