Devout Chitrakoot

Devout Chitrakoot

Chitrakoot is a tranquil city situated amidst the serene northern hills of the Vindhya Ranges. The city is adorned with lush forests and gently flowing rivers and is renowned for its profound religious connection with the life of Lord Ram, who is believed to have spent a significant part of his exile here.

With a spiritual heritage that traces back to ancient times, Chitrakoot holds a special place in the hearts of devotees. Legend has it that within these verdant forests of Chitrakoot, Lord Ram, Goddess Sita and Lakshman spent eleven of their fourteen years of exile. Over the ages, Chitrakoot has been a sanctuary for revered sages, saints, poets, and visionaries who sought solace and drew inspiration from its sublime natural beauty and tranquil ambience.

Must-Visit Tourist Places in Chitrakoot

Raghav Ghat:

Nestled in the heart of Chitrakoot, Raghav Prayag Ghat lies at the sacred confluence of the Mandakini and Pataru rivers and is a vibrant hub of cultural activity. As one of the city's most prominent ghats, it offers a fascinating glimpse into the rich heritage of Chitrakoot. As the day unwinds, the ghat transforms into a kaleidoscope of sound and colour, lit with diyas and the colourfully decorated boats adding to the unforgettable cultural experience.

Janaki Kund:

Located 2 km from the renowned Ram Ghat, the serene Janaki Kund is an ancient and religious location. Legend has it that this place derives its name from its association with Goddess Sita, who is believed to have taken a bath here, during her exile period with Lord Ram. The place is considered extremely sacred among devotees, who come here to embrace the spiritual aura of Janaki Kund and dive into the tranquil surroundings.

Hanuman Dhara:

Situated atop a hill, this temple is dedicated to Lord Hanuman. One can get a spectacular bird eye view of the city, by climbing atop this hill temple. This temple has a great religious connection with the life of Lord Hanuman, who is believed to have resided here when he returned after putting Lanka on fire.

Kamadgiri Parvat:

The temple worships Lord Kamatnath, who is considered to be the principal deity of not only Kamadgiri Parvat but the whole of Chitrakoot. Devotees circumambulate the 5 km long path here, known as the Parikrama Marg; a lot of significant temples lie on this path.

Gupt-Godavari:

There is a pair of caves here, located 18 km from the city centre. These two natural throne-like caves have led to the belief that Lord Ram and his brother Lakshman held court here. A narrow stream of water also runs along the base of one of the caves.

Sphatik Shila:

A few km beyond Janaki Kund is Sphatik Shila, located on the serene bank of river Mandakini. The place has a large boulder or Shila which has an impression of Lord Ram's feet, an extremely important spot for the pilgrims visiting Chitrakoot. According to different legends, it is here where Goddess Sita got pecked by Lord Indra's son, Jayant, who came disguised as a crow.

Ram Ghat: Among the tranquil riverbanks of Chitrakoot, Ram Ghat stands out as the most vibrant, graced by the serene Mandakini river. As the sun sets, Ram Ghat drowns in the spiritual aura with priests and pilgrims hymning in unison as the aarti lamps are swung through the air seamlessly mingling with the sounds of conches, bells and cymbals, creating a truly captivating spectacle. Adding to its peaceful charm, beautifully adorned boats line the picturesque ghat, allowing visitors to take a boat ride to embrace the beauty of the rippling blue-green waters of the Mandakini River closely.

Additionally, the ghat comes alive with the celebration of Deep Daan during Diwali, which transforms it into a dazzling spectacle, where over a thousand lamps are lit and released into the flowing waters of Mandakini.

Bharat Milap Temple: Dedicated to the overwhelming reunion of Lord Ram and his brother Bharat, the Bharat Milap temple stands as a testament to their deep bond. According to legends Bharat though being younger than Lord Ram, was made in charge of the throne, which he humbly declined for his immense respect and love towards his elder brother, and moved to Chitrakoot in search of his whereabouts. Bharat, when meets Lord Ram, persuades him to return to Ayodhya. Due to being duty-bound, Lord Ram refuses to return until his 14-year exile period is completed. While returning to Ayodhya, Bharat took along with him the wooden clogs of Lord Ram to be kept on the throne and decided to rule as his brother's regent.

How to Reach Chitrakoot

Chitarkoot is well connected to national highways and other major road tracks, one can book a cab or any public transport to reach the city centre. The nearest railway station to Chitrakoot is Karwi, which is well-connected to other major cities like Delhi, Lucknow, Allahabad, Varanasi and Jhansi. The nearest airport is Bamrauli Airport, Allahabad, which is 106 km from Chitrakoot.