CHITRAKOOT - Important part of Shri Ram Gaman Path

Chitrakoot is famous as a very holy pilgrimage centre also important part of Shri Ram Gaman Path. Its mention can be found in many facts about Lord Shri Ram. Its nomenclature is based on two words ‘chitra’ and ‘koot’, where ‘chitra’ means colourful and ‘koot’ stands for hill.

The natural boundary of Chitrakoot is demarcated by holy rivers Mandakini and Payaswini. Chitrakoot Dham is basically a group five villages- two from Chitrakoot district’s Karvi tehsil (Karvi and Sitapur) and three from Satna district of Madhya Pradesh (Kamta, Kohli and Nayagaon).
Mahakavi Kalidas’ Meghdoot has a beautiful depiction of this place making it even more religiously important. It is said in Chitrakoot Mahatamya-

Hrishaystatra bahvo, vihritya sharadaam shatam |

Tapasaa divamaaroodhah, kapaal-shirsa sah ||

The biggest religious significance of Chitrakoot is that Lord Shri Ram is said to have spent fourteen years of exile period here. Chitrakoot’s spiritual legacy stretches back to legendary ages. Great sages like Maharishi Atri and other seers lived here and meditated

Places to visit:

Sitapur

Sitapur is the main locality in Chitrakoot dham and is situated on the banks of Payaswini river. This place was earlier known as Jaisinghpur. The office of Uttar Pradesh Tourist Department and Tourist Guest House are located here.

Payaswini River (Mandakini)

A fine bow-shaped stream of Payaswini River flowing through Anusuya Ashram located at the boundary of Satna district of Madhya Pradesh, is known as Mandakini. It is said that Lord Ram gave tilanjali Pa to his father Ka Dashratha H here. There are around 24 ghats situated on the banks pof Payaswini river, Most prominent among them are Ramghat ,Dhritakullya ghat, Kailash ghat and Raghav Pryag ghat.

Hanuman Dhara

round 5 km away from Sitapur, a Hanuman Dhara temple is situated on a hill Op. A couple of temples including Sita Ki Rasoi are situated on the upper hilltop Hanuman temple. There are around 355 stairs to reach the Hanuman Dhara emple. Here a water spring coming out of mountain rocks falls directly upon e deity of Lord Hanuman.

Ramghat

This is the main ghat of Payaswini-Mandakini river. A famous saying about this ghat is that Lord Ram used to offer chandan (sandal wood) to poet Tulsidas during the time of prayers.

Chitrakoot ke ghaat par bhai santan ki bheed, Tulsidas chandan ghise, tilak det Raghubir ||

There is a Yagyavedi above Ramghat and it is said that Brahma performed yajna here.

Matyagayendranath Swami

This famous Shiv temple is situated on Ramghat. It is said that Lord Ram installed a Shivling on Ramghat in the quest to get rid of the gloom of exile.

It is believed that offering prayers at Matyagayendranath Swami temple helps to get freedom from all sorrows, fright and depression

Kamadgiri/Kamtanath

Parikrama (Cuircumambulation) of the Kamadgiri Mountain is the prime attraction of Chitrakoot visit. It is believed that performing parikrama around this hill helps fulfil all wishes. The 5-km parikrama path touches various places in Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh.

Four important temples are situated on the parikrama path, namely Prachin Mukhaar Vind, Bharat Milap, Dvitiya (second) Mukhaar vind, Chaupada temple and Barha ke Hanumanji and some other small and big ones alongwith the main gate, such as Yatha Sakshi Gopal, Lakshmi Narayan Temple, Vijayi Hanumanji, Shri Ram Charan Paduka etc. It is believed that Lord Ram stayed at Kamadgiri Mountain during the exile period. Every year lakhs of devotees visit this place during amavasya (New moon) to take holy dip at Ramghat and perform parikrama around Kamtanath hill.

Ram Darshan

This place is situated 8-km away from Chitrakoot. A photo gallery depicting the various stories related to Ramayana is a spot of attraction.

Ganeshbagh

A Located 10 km away from Chitrakoot on Karvi-Devangana road, Ganeshbagh stands tall narrating the existence of Peshwa kingdom. Ganeshbagh was built by Vinayak Rao Peshwa in the beginning of 19 century for their amusement. This place depicts an amazing example of Indian architecture. Located in the middle is the exquisitely carved six-angled Shiva temple. The upper part of the temple has finely engraved domes with figures that resemble the temples in Khajuraho. The front of the temple has a huge water tank, which adds to its beauty and charm. The western side of the temple has a seven-storied grand Vapi in which there is amazing unison of well and vapi. This place is also known as mini Khajuraho.

Lakshaman Pahari

This place can be reached through around 150 stairs on the hill situated between the Bharat Milap and Dvitiya Mukhar vind at Parikrama marg. There is a well situated here. It is believed that Lakshaman Pahari was the place where Lakshaman used to stay during Chitrakoot-stay- period of Lord Ram’s exile.

Ram Shaiya

This place is located on the way between Bharat Koop and Sitapur. It has a large flat-bed rock which bears imprints of two people in sleeping position with a bow. It is said that Lord Ram and Sita took rest here for a night after wandering around the

forests of chitrakoot. It is also believed that Ram kept his bow-arrows between him and Sita, imprints of which can be seen there.

Bharat Milap

This place is situated in the circumbulation path (Parikrama Poth) of Kamadgiri. Bhara is said to have met Lord Ram here to persuade him to return to Ayodhya.

Viradh Kund

The path which was taken by Ram to move ahead of Chitrakoot is still present; however it is covered by dense forests now. There are square rocks. The path between Anusuya Ashram and Sharbhang Ashram has forests on its both sides.

At a distance from Anusuya Ashram is a spring and a cave that has Lord Hanuman’s idol. A little away from there is Viradh Kund. It is said that Lakshaman dug up a huge pit and had buried a demon named Viradh there.

Devangana Kotitirtha

Around 13-km away from Chitakoot, this place is situated on one of the hills of Vindhya mountain range. There is a huge cave and a Hanuman temple. This place is famous for meditation by saints and is an epitome of natural beauty.

Bankesidha

Around 11-km from Chitrakoot and 3-km south-east of Ganeshbagh, Bankesidha is situated on the background of Vindhya mountain ranges and is famous for its natural beauty. This is a naturally built beautiful cave. Under a huge rock is a spacious hall which is hundreds of feet above the ground level. Permanent steps are built from beneath the cave to reach there.

From the top comes a fountain that baths the northern part of the cave and merges into the mountain’s hall.

Four pilgrimages of Chitrakoot

Janaki Kund

Around 5-km away from Sitapur Chitrakoot, near Mandakini is situated Janaki Kund. It is believed that Sita also known as Janaki bathed here during the years of her exile with Ram.

Sphatic Shila

At some distance beyond Janaki Kund is situated Sphatic Shila. It is said that Jayant, son of Lord Indra, transformed himself into a crow and pecked the feet of Sita. There are two

massive crystal rocks amidst the water and on one of them footprints of Lord Ram are there. The natural beauty of this place is mesmerizing

Anusuya Ashrama

Around 14 km from Sitapur, the ancient Anusuya Ashram is situated at the banks of Mandakini river. It was here that Maharishi Atri and Mahasati Anusuya did severe penance. During the exile with Ram, Sita took preachings from Anusuya here.

Gupta Godavari

Situated around 19-km away from Chitrakoot, Gupta Godavari is a huge cave flooded with natural water springs and fountains. The springs constantly flow through the cave.

The stream of water falls into two wells and merges in them. This is why it is called as ‘Gupta Godavari’.

One can pass through the cave only by stepping into knee-level water.

Places of attraction near Chitrakoot Dham

Valmiki Aashram

During his journey from Prayag to Chitrakoot, Lord Ram reached Maharishi Valmiki’s ashram. Maharishi asked Shri Ram to stay in Chitrakoot. It is said that near Chitrakoot there were two places of Sage Valmiki-one was located in Bachoi village towards the west of Lalapur hill, while the other one was near Sitapur (Chitrakoot). When Lord Ram stayed in Chitrakoot, then Valmiki also stayed nearby in an ashram for some days.

Bharat Koop

Around 18-km away from Sitapur, on the way to Banda, there is a very old well in Bharat Koop. It is believed that all the water brought from different holy rivers for Lord Rams coronation (Rajyabhishek) was collected in this well. This place has a lot of religious significance. It is said that bathing in this well washes away all sins and drinking its water heels the body and soul. An old Ram-Bharat temple is also situated here.

Rajapur

It is believed that around 45-km away from Sitapur, on the banks of Yamuna river, Goswami Tulsidas lived in a house in Rajapur town. Several temples are attached to the house. This place has a rare collection of handwritten Ramcharitra Manas, Composed by Goswami Tulsi Das.

Madifa

Around 30-km away from Chitrakoot is Sage Mandava’s hermitage (ashram), famously known as Madfa. Here, relics of forts constructed by Chandel kings can be found. The places of attraction include Balaji temple, Panchmukhi Shiva temple and Papmochan Sarovar.

Khajuraho

Khajuraho is an international level tourist spot and is among the popular world heritage sites of Central India. Khajuraho temples were built during the reign of the Chandela rulers. Ornate temples of Khajuraho are spectacular piece of artistic creativity and magnificent architectural work. The walls of these temples have beautifully carved images and figures. it is 135 k.m. from chitrakoot

Maihar Devi

Near Maihar (Satna, M.P.) station is a pilgrimage, which is known for massive Maa Sharda Devi temple, situated at the top of a hill. It is said that famous warrior Alha was very strong follower of Sharda Devi. For convenience of the pilgrims, there is a ropeway that connects the city with the temple. 123 kilometer from chitrakoot

Kalinjar

Spread over 4-km square kilometre area on Vindhya mountain range and at 800-feet above the ground level, Kalinjar Fort is a famous historical and religious place of pilgrimage. Historically it is famous by the name of ‘Abhedhya Durg’. It is believed that Lord Shiva stayed at this mountain to curb the toxicity of poison that he swallowed in an act to protect the universe. There are seven ancient doors to enter the fort. Massive Neelkanth temple is located near the seventh door of the fort. There are several sights seeing spots inside the fort, these include Sita Sej, 76 kilometer from chitrakoot

Mragadhara, Patal-ganga, palace of Amaan Singh, Koti Teertha, Mandook Bhairav and Swargarohan Kundetc.

Sharbhang Ashram

Sharbhang Ashram is situated 40 km away from Chitrakoot in South East direction. One has to cross Tikriya village through forest path to reach Sharbhang Ashram via Viradh kund. There is kund near this ashram whose source is underground water. A Shri Ram temple is also located in the vicinity. Since the ashram is situated in the middle of forest area, the outer gate of temple is closed in the evening because of wild animals. The ashram was home to sage Sharbhang who after welcoming Lord Ram had sacrificed himself in the Yagna fire and achieved salvation.

Mahoba

Sun Temple, Rahela Sagar

The historically significant city of Mahoba is situated 126 km away from Chitrakoot. The stories of warriors Alha and Udal define its importance in Indian history. The place is famous for its beautiful lakes and temples. There are several lakes spread amid the mountains of granite, such as Keerti Sagar, Madan Sagar, Kalyan Sagar, Vijay Sagar etc which add to the beauty of Mahoba. The Sun temple, situated in Rahela Sagar, even in its ramshackle state stands tall, depicting the magnificent architecture of Chandela dynasty.