Chitrakoot is a religious city filled with spiritual and natural beauty. Located in the Chitrakoot district of Uttar Pradesh and adjacent to the Satna district of Madhya Pradesh, this holy place is also known as the “Tirth of all Tirths” (the pilgrimage of all pilgrimages).
Surrounded on all sides by the Vindhya mountain range and situated on the banks of the Mandakini River, it is believed that in the Treta Yuga, Lord Ram spent 11 out of his 14 years of exile here with Lakshman and Mother Sita.
The environment here is so peaceful and pleasant that it always attracts everyone. In the words of Rahim –
Chitrakoot Mein Rami Rahen, Rahiman Avadh Naresh,
Ja Par Vipda Parat Hai, So Aavat Yahi Desh.
The ghats of Chitrakoot, its mountains, and the flowing waters of the Mandakini River create a beautiful feeling of the scenes from the Ramayana happening around us. This sacred place is also the land of penance for great sages like Atri, Dattatreya, Anusuya, Markandeya, and others, who have enriched its spirituality with their austerities. Lord Ram, the epitome of virtue, resides in every particle here, and pilgrims visit every year to experience this divine presence.
Chitrakoot Raghunandan Chhaaye, Samachar Suni Suni Muni Aaye,
Aawat Dekhi Mudit Munibrinda, Keenhi Dandavat Raghukul Chanda.
Chitrakoot Dham is close to my college city, Prayagraj, and after our semester exams, all of us friends made plans to visit. We thoroughly enjoyed our trip to Chitrakoot. There are many places to visit here, and I will tell you about some of them-
➥Ramghat
It is believed that Lord Rama used to bathe daily at Ramghat, which is situated on the banks of the Mandakini River. There is also a large statue of Lord Hanuman here. One can enjoy boating on beautifully decorated boats at Ramghat. In the evening, the atmosphere becomes very spiritual, and you can see saints and sages performing bhajan-kirtan (devotional singing) here.
➥Kamadgiri
Kamadgiri Mountain holds significant religious importance. People aspire to fulfill their wishes by undertaking a 5-kilometer circumambulation of this hill. The circumambulation path partly lies in the state of Uttar Pradesh and partly in the state of Madhya Pradesh. There are several temples here, with the Kamta Nath and Bharat Milap Temples being the most prominent. It is said about the Bharat Milap Temple that Bharat came here to meet Lord Rama during his exile and requested him to return to Ayodhya.
➥Hanuman Dhara
Located on a hill, Hanuman Dhara features a stream of water that continuously flows into a pond in front. There is a large statue of Hanuman here. Many groups of langurs (monkeys) can also be seen at this place. The view of Chitrakoot from here is very beautiful. At the peak of the hill, there is also a place known as Sita Rasoi (Sita’s Kitchen).
➥Gupt Godavari
Located about 18 kilometers from Chitrakoot, Gupt Godavari consists of two caves. The entrance to these caves is very narrow. Water is always present inside the caves, and as you go further in, the water level rises. Inside the cave, there is a pond from which a stream of water flows, and this stream is known as Gupt Godavari.
➥ Sati Anusuiya Ashram
Surrounded by lush green forests, Anusuiya Ashram is situated near the Mandakini River. The atmosphere here is very peaceful. The entrance gate of this ashram is quite grand. There is also a large and beautiful statue of the Sun God seated on his chariot. Inside the ashram, scenes from the Ramayana are depicted in a very attractive manner.
➥Bharat Koop
It is believed that when Bharat came to persuade Lord Rama to return to Ayodhya, he brought water from all the rivers for Rama’s coronation. However, when Lord Rama refused to return to Ayodhya, on the advice of Sage Atri, Bharat poured that water into a well in Chitrakoot, which is now known as Bharat Koop.
➥Sphatik Shila
Situated amidst the forest on the banks of the Mandakini River, this small rock is believed to be the spot where Rama and Sita used to sit and admire the beauty of Chitrakoot. It is said that while Rama and Sita were sitting here, Jayant, the son of Indra, in the form of a crow, pecked at Sita. Angered by this, Rama plucked out Jayant’s eyes and granted him liberation.
➥Janki Kund
Near Sphatik Shila is Janki Kund, which is surrounded by forests. Located near the Mandakini River, this spot is believed to be where Mother Sita used to bathe during her stay in Chitrakoot during the exile. There is also a temple nearby. The natural beauty of this place is worth seeing.
The religious, spiritual, and natural beauty of Chitrakoot can only be truly experienced by visiting. The atmosphere here will not only seem enchanting and calming to the mind, but it will also acquaint you with many ancient legends of sages and hermits. Tulsidas Ji aptly said about this place:
Chitrakoot Ke Ghaat Par, Bhai Santan Ki Bheer,
Tulsidas Chandan Ghise, Tilak Kare Raghuvir.
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➜ Don’t forget to do in Chitrakoot: Boating at Ramghat, Circumambulation of Kamadgiri, Visit to Gupt Godavari, Photography.
➜ How to reach Chitrakoot: The nearest airport is in Prayagraj (Allahabad), which is 125 kilometers away, and the nearest railway station is Karvi, accessible by trains from cities like Satna, Jhansi, Kanpur, Prayagraj, etc. Chitrakoot is well connected by road from Prayagraj, Lucknow, Jhansi, and other major cities across the country.
➜ Best time to visit Chitrakoot: Though pilgrims visit Chitrakoot throughout the year, the best time to visit is from October to March. It is advisable not to visit Chitrakoot during the summer as the hills here become very hot.
➜ Recommended duration for visiting Chitrakoot: 2 days / 1 night
Information Source: Authentic information sources available on internet, Various Articles and books on the subject & Interaction with local public.
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