Lakhimpur Kheri district

Lakhimpur Kheri (: लखीमपुर खीरी, :  لحیم پور خیری) is a  of  in the. It is located in along the border with. It is known for its sugarcane industry. Some of the biggest sugar mills are in the district. , are some of them.

It houses, the only national park in Uttar Pradesh. It is home to a large number of rare and endangered species which includes Tiger, Leopard, Swamp deer, Hispid hare, Bengal Florican, etc. Lakhimpur Kheri district is a part of.

Location
It shares its boundaries with Shahjahanpur & Pilibhit districts in the west, Behraich district in the east and Hardoi district in the south.

Being a Tarai District it is rich in natural resources with lush green scenery and many rivers. Main Rivers are Sharda, Ghagra, Koriyala, Ull, Sarayan, Chauka,, Kathana, Saryu & Mohana.

Industry
Lakhimpur is famous for sugar cane factories and cottage industries of incense sticks.

Educaion
Education is available at the Junior and Senior Basic Schools, Senior Secondary Schools and there are four colleges. There is an Indian Technical Institute (ITI) and a Polytechnic.

St. Don Bosco's School is a prominent missionary school 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 and Yuvraj Dutt College.

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.

Historical places
It is the temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. The Gola Gokaran Nath is also called by the name "Choti 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 until 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".

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 Tantra". 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. The Temple is constructed between an octa-hedral lotus. The Shivling installed in the temple was brought from the "Banasur Prati Narmdeshwar Narmada Kund". The main gate of the temple opens in the east and another gate is in the south. The architecture of this temple is based on.

It is believed that the holy Shivling of this place was founded by the Asvasthama son of Guru in period of. 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 said 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 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. According to Bhagwat Geeta Janmejayi son of king Prikshit organized famous Nag Yagya at this place. 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 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 Devakali.

Zamindari during British rule
Bankey Bihari Lal Sinha of Bankey Ganj was a famous Zamindar of this period. He lived in Bari Kothi, Bankey Ganj. After British rule was over in India, the Zamindari system was abolished.

Notable residents
Many famous people in the past and present have been born in Lakhimpur, resident in the city or connected to it in some way. The following is a list of the more notable ones:

A former Chairman of the U.P. Assembly
 * of Kotwara.

Honoured with Padma Shri in 1995, world wildlife gold medal in 1976, Order of the Golden Ark a year later and the lifetime award for tiger conservation in March 1999, Padma Bhushan in 2006.
 * a hunter of reputed fame.

Indian film-maker, a fashion designer, a poet, an artist, a music-lover, a revivalist, a social worker Awarded Padma Shri

Chairman of Standing Committee of National Monitoring Committee for Minorities Education Former Chairman of Minorities Commission, Delhi Former Cabinet Minister

IIM graduate and IndianOil officer whose murder created a nationwide shock.