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    • Chitrakoot Dham : Know Spiritual Significance and Best Places to Visit

    Chitrakoot, one of the most sacred pilgrimage centers of Hindus, is located in the Bundelkhand region of Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh. The region falls in the northern Vindhya Range spread over the states of Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh. This sacred town also known as ‘Hills of Many Wonders’ is closely connected to the holy epic of Ramayana. The Chitrakoot region stretches in both states and is covered with dense forest, made of volcanic lava, full of landscape, and many small streams of rivers encourage the pilgrims to visit this mystic and spiritual land.

    It is believed to have been the same refuge where Rama, Sita, and Lakshmana spent their years in exile. In fact, a tour of this religious town is like replaying scene after scene from the Ramayana, as many sites described in the epic are said to exist in Chitrakoot. According to the great epic Ramayana, God Rama stayed here with his consort Sita and brother Lakshman for 11 years of his exile.

    Valmiki addresses Chitrakoot in shining words as a great devout destination. The celebrated poet Kalidas has depicted this amiable place in his epic Raghuvanshi. It is a town where the past is happily treasured in its colorful divine centers, while the serene rivers, peaceful woods, and miraculous sights together make it a highly visited place. An illustrious place of superb fairy-tale significance, Chitrakoot imitates the quintessence of the Hindu lifestyle. Uttar Pradesh tourism department also encourages tourists to visit here. Chitrakoot tour packages are one of the bestselling India tour packages. There are many tour packages available for these places.

    Places To Visit/See in Chitrkoot:

    Chitrkoot region is full of spiritual and natural sights that eagerly sought the attention of pilgrims and nature lovers. There is a great bond between these elements of life that is spirituality and nature. It attracts pilgrims throughout the year on occasions such as Amavasya, Somwati Amavasya, Deepawali, Sharad-Poornima, Makar Sankranti, and Rama Navami to take a dip into the holy water of the Mandakini river.  Exploring Chitrkoot as a wonder lust tourist is a unique idea. The Uttar Pradesh Religious tour package is best to explore these places which are given below.

    Kamadgiri Mountain:

    There is a reference to a hill in Ramayana called Kamadgiri, which is one of the prime spots of religious significance in the town. The Sanskrit word Kamadgiri means ‘the mountain which fulfills all the wishes and desires. At the base of this hill has a circumambulation Path of 5 km that enables the pilgrims to take a sacred tour of this holy mountain. There is a number of temples located in the mountain’s lap around the parikrama path. This temple is dedicated to Lord Kamtanath. Some people believe that the hill is hollow from within and that it contains a blue illuminated lake. Immortal sages who can tell the destinies of the world and of mankind inhabit the banks of the lake. It is believed that only pure souls can find the entrance to this hallowed place and pass through.

    Ram Ghats:

    A number of ghats run along the River Mandakini, the permanent source of water for Chitrakoot. The center of the town’s activities and prime place of spiritual dip, the Ram Ghats are believed to have been the favored bathing place of Rama, Sita, and Lakshmana. As the sun rises, various devotees gather at the ghats to perform the Surya namaskar or salutation to the sun. Rustic ambiance full of hymns and the fragrance of incense reminds you of the beauty of bygone era; you can witness various religious activities like holy dip, Mundan, Pinda dan, Naam Karan, Anna Danam rites throughout the day. Being at the ghat you have to be very alert of invading troupes of monkeys while trying to get accustomed to the din of sonorous bhajans.

    The evenings at the Ram Ghats are no different. As the sun sets, devotees gather once again to perform aarti and make offerings of flowers and incense. The sight of lamps and lights glistening through the dark of the night is enough to make you overlook the overpowering chaos of the ghats.

    Bharat Mandir:

    When Ram left Ayodhya and reached Chitrkoot to start his exile, his half-brother Bharat who became the successor to the throne. But he was not willing to sit on the throne. He felt that Ram was the rightful king of the people. In an attempt to put things right, Bharat met Ram in Chitrakoot where he assembled his court and tried to persuade Ram to return and rule Ayodhya. When Ram refused, Bharattook his clogs, placed them on his head and returned to Ayodhya. He then enthroned Rama’s clogs, as a symbol of his divine right over the kingdom. Bharat’s assembled court has been replicated in miniature in the Bharat Mandir. It is said that the footprints of Ram and his three brothers are etched in the rocks here.

    Hanuman Dhara:

    This hill is dedicated to Hanumana. Various idols of Hanuman can be found at the base of the hill, in little pavilions en route to the summit, and even carved on rocks – and are all painted bright orange.

    According to the Ramayana, Sita was abducted by the king of Lanka, Ravana. Hanumana was then sent to Ravana as Rama’s envoy but was captured. His tail was set afire to embarrass him even further, whereupon an enraged Hanumana escaped from his captors and burned down the kingdom of Lanka. It is said that the monkey god was so furious that upon his return Rama shot an arrow into a rock to draw a stream of cold water from its recesses, where Hanumana bathed to cool off. This stream is Hanuman Dhara, which has now been channeled into a pipe.

    Across the bridge is a statue of Hanuman. Past more stalls, shrines, and temples are Sita’s Kitchen. It has images of five sages who are seen enjoying Sita’s hospitality. There are many references in the Ramayana that narrate the story of the gradually developing friendship between the three exiles and the hermits seeking solitude.

    Sati Anasuya Ashram:

    Located near the origin of River Mandakini, this ashram is located in the hills of Chitrakoot, surrounded by lush greenery, with ample open spaces, and is thus ideal for meditation and reflection. It is believed to be the place where sage Atri meditated with his wife, Anusuya. Its location ensures that peace and quiet abounds in its hallowed pathways and courtyard, so devotees can pray, or even enjoy the serene atmosphere without being disturbed. Inside the ashram, a large statue of Lord Krishna, riding a chariot with Arjuna sitting behind him, is stationed. As you go further in, you can see more sculptures with beautiful artwork that are kept for sacred darshan.

    Legend has it that during their exile, Lord Rama and Goddess Sita visited the devout Sati Anusuya at this ashram, which used to teach Sita about sattva (chastity) during this time.

    The Ramayana also narrates the tale of Sati Anasuya, the virtuous wife of Sage Atri. According to the tale, one day the wives of Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva decided to test Sati Anasuya’s chastity. The three deities, went to Anasuya’s ashram as instructed by their wives and demanded that she serve them food while naked. Anasuya agreed but first transformed them into children. The wives found them thus and repented. At the behest of Anasuya, the three gods agreed to be born as her sons. It is also said that her purity had such power that it forced the RiverMandakini to gush out from the earth and course past her ashram.

    A large temple stands on the site of the modest ashram of Sati Anasuya. Below the shrine is a huge rock with primitive images of Shiva carved into them. A little beyond are a few older shrines.

    Sphatik Shila:

    Sphatik Shila too has a legend associated with it. It is said that one day, Rama was decorating Sita’s hair with wildflowers while seated on the banks of the river. They were spotted by Jayanta, the mischievous son of Indra, who, in an attempt to disrupt this scene, turned himself into a crow, swooped down, and pecked at Sita’s feet. This infuriated Lakshmana, who pierced the eye of the crow with his arrow. There is a pavilion here that enshrines the footprints of the three exiles to commemorate the events that transpired on the banks of the Mandakini.

    Sita Kund:

    Sita was also known as Janaki, the daughter of Janak, king of Mithila. This spot, named after her, is believed to have been her private bathing place. As the story goes, the monster Mayanka peeped at Sita bathing in a pool here. An enraged Lakshmana terrified him and stuck him to the roof of the cave. An outcrop of black rock that juts out from the paler roof of the cave is believed to be the monster still stuck to the roof. The pond where Sita was bathing is called the Sita Kund.

    Ganesh Bagh:

    The premises of Ganesh Bagh, which is said to have been built as a recreational retreat, have a pretty temple dedicated to Lord Shiva with carvings of gods and goddesses, and three chambers, all of which are now empty. The most interesting aspect of the temple is the floor in front of the chambers, which shows carvings of indoor games like ludo and chaupar!

    You can also explore a seven-storeyed stepwell of which only the first two or three levels can be approached as the rest are submerged in water, a small palace, and some wide open spaces that are now being converted into green lawns so visitors can relax and explore the bagh at length. Located on the KarviDevangana road, Ganesh Bagh was built in the 19th century by Vinayak Raj Peshwa.

    Gupt Godavari Cave:

    Gupt Godaveri cave is located at a distance of 18 km from Ram Ghat. There are two caves one is large and the second is small but long. The first one is serene and has a pond at the end of the cave. The caves are very peculiar and seem to be crafted by nature over thousands of years. It is said that water is connected to the river Godavari underground. Walking barefoot through the cave with cold water lapping at your knees is a delightful experience. The larger cave has two stone-carved thrones believed to be of Lord Rama and Lord Lakshmana. Legend has it that Lord Rama and Lord Lakshman stayed here for some time during their exile. At that time, many gods came to Chitrakoot to meet Lord Rama. Godavari, the river goddess, is also believed to have visited him by secretly appearing in the caves.

    Another attraction is the Panchmukhi Shiva located outside the cave. It features an intricately carved sculpture of the holy trinity (Lord Brahma, Lord Vishnu, and Lord Shiva). There are a number of souvenir shops here as well.

    Kalinjar Fort

    Kalinjar means The destroyer of time in Sanskrit. ‘Kal’ is time and ‘jar’ destruction. The majestic Kalinjar Fort is one of the strongest forts in India. Before the beginning of the modern era, it was the dream of all medieval-period kings and rulers to capture it.  Located in the Banda district at the foothills of the Vindhya Mountains in Uttar Pradesh is a robust fort, one of eight forts built under the aegis of the Chandela rulers.

    Legend says that after Samudra Manthan Hindu God, Lord Shiva, drank the poison and His throat became blue (hence the name Neel (blue) Kantha (throat)) and He came to Kalinjar and overcome the ‘Kal’ i.e. He achieved victory over death. This is the reason for is called Kalinjar and the Shiva temple at Kalinjar is called Neelkanth. That is why it is considered holy for devotees. The natural splendor of the surroundings makes it an ideal place for penance and meditation and, surprisingly, a strange mystique still pervades all over the hill.

    The fortress played an important role in the 1857 uprising where soldiers, royalties, and civilians from across India rose simultaneously against British East Indian rule. The marks can still be seen on its walls. The exquisite architecture makes this fort the perfect muse for shutterbugs and selfie aficionados. A visit to Kalinjar gives you a unique experience.

    When to Visit:

    to 10 to 15 degrees. And in summer it goes up to 40 to 48 degrees. As this region is drought affected so in monsoon little rainfall could be seen.  Book Prayagraj Chitrakoot tour packages to explore these places with Prayagraj.

    How to reach Chitrkoot Ideal time to visit Chitrkoot is from October to the end of April. In winter max temperature goes up

    The town of Chitrakoot lies in the historical region of Chitrakoot, which is spread over the states of Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh. By road, it is well connected to all major cities of India. The nearest important city is Prayagraj 125kms, Varanasi 250 km, Satna 80 km, Agra 435 km,  Lucknow 230 km and Jhansi 285 km.

    The nearest airport is Bamrauli Allahabad and Lal Bahadur Shashtri airport Varanasi.

    Rail Connectivity: Chitrakoot Dham Karvi is the nearest railway station. But Satna Railway station is a major connecting station that has connectivity with all important cities of India.