Kheri district General information
Lakhimpur - Kheri is a district of Uttar Pradesh. It is situated on the Indo-Nepal border and surrounded by districts Pilibhit, Shahjahanpur, Hardoi, Sitapur and Behraich.
Lakhimpur is the transformed verson of its original name Luxmipur, due to Luxmi Temple (Sankata Devi). In the ancient days the district was covered by the "KHAIR" tress. The name "KHERI" represent the "KHAIR" trees. Kheri is a town (2 km.) away from Lakhimpur. District headquarter is situated at Lakhimpur.
Dudwa National Park is the important tourist place on the map of the world. The famous historical and Religious places are Shiv Temple at Gola, Devkali, Lilautinath and Frog Temple at Oel.
Area wise it is the largest district in U.P. The total area is 7680 sqr km.
Origin of Name
Etymologically Lakhimpur is the transformed version of its original name Luxmipur. In ancient days the district was covered by the Khair trees (Acacia catechu Willd). Kheri is a town near Lakhimpur (approx 1.24 miles). The name Kheri represents the Khair trees.
Geography
* Latitude : 27.6 to 28.6 (North)
* Longitude : 80.34 to 81.30 (East)
Boundary
* North – Nepal
* West – Pilibhit & Shahjahanpur districts
* South – Hardoi & Sitapur district
* East – Bahraich district.
Rivers
Its main rivers are Sharda, Ghagra, Koriyala, Ull, Sarayan, Chauka, Gomti, Kathana, Saryu and Mohana.
Industry
Known for its sugar cane industry, it satisfies a huge part of the world's sugar demands. Some of the biggest sugar mills are in the district. Bajaj sugar mill in Gola Gokarnath and Bajaj sugar mill in Palia Kalan are the two largest sugar mills in Asia. Balrampur Industries also runs its sugar mills from Lakhimpur.
Lakhimpur is also famous for cottage industries of incense sticks.
Education
Education is available at the Junior and Senior Basic Schools, Senior Secondary Schools and college level.
St. Don Bosco's College
St. Don Bosco's College is a prominent missionary institute for learning. The alumni of the school are the flag-bearers of Lakhimpur across the nation. Other prominent schools and colleges are St. John's School in Gola Gokarannath, Yuvraj Dutt College, Greenfield Academy, Children's Academy, Kunwar Khuswaqt Rai, Adarsh vidya Mandir, Saraswati vidya Mandir, DS Inter College, Government Inter College, Paul International School, City Montessori Kheri and Lucknow Public School.
Climate
The climate is hot throughout the year except the rainy seasons. In winter, nights are very cold. Fog is very common in this season.
* Winter October to February 30°C to 4°C
* Summer March to June 43°C to 20°C
* Rainy Season July to September 35°C to 20°C
* Rainfall 1093 mm (Normal)
Historical Place
Shiv Temple Gola Gokaran Nath (35 km from Lakhimpur enroute to Shahjahanpur)
It is the temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. The Gola Gokaran Nath is also called by the name "CHOTTI KASHI" It is the belief of the people that Loard Shiva pleased with the penance (Tapasya) of Rawana (King of Lanka) and offered for a boon. Rawana requested the Lord Shiva to go to Lanka with him and leave Himalya forever. The Lord Shiva agreed to go with a condition that he should not be placed anywhere on the way to Lanka, if he will be placed anywhere, he will be settled at that place. Rawana agreed and started his journey to Lanka with the Lord on his head. When Rawana reached the Gola Gokaran Nath ( Gollihara of that time) he felt the need of urinate ( A call of nature). Rawana offered some gold coins to a shepherd for placing the Lord Shiva on his head till he returns. The shepherd could not bear the load and he placed him on the land. Rawana failed to lift him up by all his efforts. He pressed him on his head with his thumb in full anger. The impression of Rawana's Thumb is still present on the Shivling.
In the month of Chatra (April) a great fair is organised for one month known as "CHETI-MELA".
Frog Temple OEL (12 km from Lakhimpur )
The unique Frog Temple lies at Oel town 12 km from Lakhimpur on the route Lakhimpur to Sitapur. It is the only one of its kind in India based on "MANDUK TANATRA". It was built by the former king of Oel State ( Distt. Lakhimpur Kheri) in between 1860 to 1870. It is the temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. This temple is built at the back of a large frog in the area 18 x 25 sqr.mtr. The Temple is constructed between an octa-hedral lotus. The Shivling installed in the temple was brought from the "BANASUR PRATI NARMDESHWER NARMADA KUND". The face of the frog is 2 x 1.5 x 1 cub.mtr. towards North. The main gate of the temple opens in the east and another gate is in the south. The archetecture of this temple is based on "TANTRA VIDHYA".
Shiv Temple "LILAUTI NATH" (9 km from Lakhimpur at Sharada Nagar Road)
It is believed that the holy Shivling of this place was founded by the Asvasthama son of Guru Dronacharya in period of "MAHABHARAT". The temple was re-constructed by the former kings of Mehwa State (District Kheri.). This temple is also dedicated to Lord Shiva. The Shivling installed here is rare of its kind. It changes several colors in a day. It is true that every morning when the door of the temple is opened the Shivling is found in a worshiped position with the flowers and other worship items. It is belief of the people that Asvasthama is immortal (AMAR), who worship here every day before opening the door. A great fair is organized in the Shrawan month (July) every day and each "Amawasya" of every month.
Shiv Temple Devkali ( 7 km. from Lakhimpur)
According to Bhagwat Geeta Janmejayi son of king Prikshit organized famous "NAG YAGYA" at this place. In "NAG YAGYA" all the snakes jumped in to the Hawan Kund by the power of the YAGYA - MANTRAS. No snakes can be found in this area since then. It is believed that the snakes does not enter the houses where the holy soil of this temple is present. This temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva. It is also believed that the "DEVKALI" daughter of Lord Brahama (Founder of the world) done a hard penance (Tapsya) at this place. After the name of Lord Brahama's daughter this place is known as "DEVKALI".
Tourist Place
Dudhwa Tiger Reserve (DTR)
Dudhwa Tiger Reserve (DTR) has two core areas, Dudhwa National Park and Kishanpur Wildlife Sanctuary, which were merged in 1987. Dudwa National Park is known as the first National Park of the state after the formation of Uttarakhand.
It is home to a large number of rare and endangered species including Tiger, Leopard cat, Rhinoceros (one-horned), Hispid hare, Elephants, Black deer, Swamp deer, etc.
A bird watchers' haven, Dudhwa is noted for its avian variety - about 400 species. Its swamps and several lakes attract varieties of waterfowl. Being close to the Himalayan foothills, Dudhwa also gets its regular winter visitors - the migratory water birds. The Banke Tal is perhaps the most popular spot for bird watchers. There are egrets, cormorants, herons and several species of duck, geese and teal.
Dudwa
Conservation History
The visit of Sir D.B. Brandis in 1860 to the area culminated in a 303 sq. mile forest area of the present day Dudhwa National Park being brought under the control of Government in 1861 for preservation. In Kheri District all the Sal and miscellaneous forests and grasslands in Kharigarh Pargana, between the Mohana and Suheli rivers, were included in the then North Kheri Forest Division. More areas were reserved for protection between 1867 and 1879 and added to the Division. The area of the Division was legally constituted as Reserved Forests in 1937.
The Sonaripur Sanctuary, comprising 15.7 km2, was created in 1958 to specifically protect swamp deer (Cervus duvaceli duvaceli). The area was too small and was later enlarged to 212 km2 and renamed as Dudhwa Sanctuary in 1968. Later, more area was added to the Sanctuary and in 1977, it was declared Dudhwa National Park. The total area of the Park was 616 km2 of which 490 km2 was the core zone and the balance of 124 km2 was a buffer zone.
Dudhwa Tiger Reserve was created in the year 1987-88 comprising Dudhwa National Park and Kishanpur Sanctuary (203.41 km2). With an addition of 66 km2 to the buffer zone in 1997, the present area of the Tiger Reserve is 884 km2.
Sharda Dam and Deer Park are other major attractions of Lakhimpur.