Chitrkoot – An Abode Of Lord Rama During His Benishment

Chitrakoot, 'the hill of many wonders', nestles peacefully in the northern spurs of the Vindhyas, a place of tranquil forest glades and quiet rivers, and streams where calm and repose are all pervading. This loveliest of Nature's gifts is also hallowed ground, blessed by the gods and sanctified by the faith of pilgrims. For Chitrakoot's spiritual legacy stretches back to legendary ages: it was in these deep forests that Rama and Sita spent eleven of their fourteen years of exile; here that the great sage Atri and Sati Anusuya meditated; and here where the principal trinity of the Hindu pantheon, Brahma, Vishnu and Mahesh, took their incarnations.

Ramghat
The ghats that line the banks of the river Mandakini reveal a constantly moving and changing kaleidoscope of religious activity. Here, amidst the chanting of hymns and the sweet fragrance of incense, holy men in saffron robes sit, in silent meditation or offer the solace of their wisdom to the countless pilgrims who converge here. With the very first rays of dawn that gleam upon the river, Ramghat stirs into life as the devout of all ages take the ritual, purifying dip in the waters and invoke the blessings of the gods. The rippling blue green waters of the Mandakini can be traversed by boats, readily available for hire.

Kamadgiri
Kamadgiri, the original Chitrakoot, is a place of prime religious significance. A forested hill, it is skirted all along its base by a chain of temples and is venerated, today, as the holy embodiment of Rama.
The Bharat Milap temple is located here, marking the spot where Bharat is said to have met Rama to persuade him to return to the throne of Ayodhya. Many are the faithful who perform the ritual circuit (Parikrama), of the sacred hill, to ask for a boon or a blessing.

Sati Anusuya
Sati Anusuya is located further up-stream, set amidst thick forests that resound to the melody of birdsong all day. It was here that Atri Muni, his wife Anusuya and their three sons (who were the three incarnations of Brahma, Vishnu and Mahesh) are said to have meditated. The Mandakini is believed to have been created by Anusuya through her meditation. Sati Anusuya lies about 16 km from the town and can be reached by road - an undulating, curving drive through densely wooded areas.

Sphatik Shila
A few kilometers beyond Janaki Kund is again a densely forested area on the banks of the Mandakini. One can climb up to the boulder which bears the impression of Rama's footprint and where Sita was pecked at by Jayant in the form of a crow. There are large fish in the river here easily visible in the pellucid water, and a few temples.

Janaki Kund
Upstream from Ramghat is a serenely beautiful stretch of the Mandakini, a symphony of nature in tones of earth-brown and leaf-green, the intense blue of the river waters finding a paler echo in the canopy of the sky. There are two approaches to Janaki Kund, 2 km up from Ramghat by boat, or by road along a foliage-lined drive.

Hanuman Dhara
Located on a rock-face several hundred feet up a steep hillside is a spring, said to have been created by Rama to assuage Hanuman when the latter returned after setting Lanka afire. A couple of temples commemorate this spot which offers a panoramic view of Chitrakoot. There is an open, paved area here in the shade of a massive peepul tree, a lovely halting place after the long climb-up.

Bharat Koop
Bharat Koop is where Bharat stored holy water collected from all the places of pilgrimage in India. It is a small, isolated spot a few kilometers from town.

Excursions

Chachai and Keoti Falls
Situated 46 km from Rewa on the banks of the river Bihad, Chachai Falls are a beautiful spectacle of water falling in torrents from a height of 130 mts. Nearby, the Keoti and Bahuti Falls are also worth a visit.

Maihar
40 km from Satna, Maihar is famous for its Sharda Devi Temple built on a hilltop. It is an important centre for Indian classical Music.

Govindgarh
Situated amidst sylvan surroundings, Govindgarh is 19 km from Rewa, the capital of the old Vindhya State, on National Highway 7. it is famous for its scenic beauty, mangoes and the White Tigers. The Govindgarh Palace on the banks of a huge lake houses the personal museum of the Maharajah of Rewa. The first White Tiger, Mohan, captured in 1951 in the nearby jungles, was kept in this palace till his death.

Mara Caves
These caves are situated in the Singhrauli tehsil of Sidhi district. The ancient caves stand in the middle of the jungle about 22 km from Singhrauli. For sheer majestic beauty, they can be compared with the caves of Ajanta and Ellora.

Sohagpur
Only 3 km from Shahdol, Sohagpur in the former State of Rewa has a beautiful Hayahaya temple dedicated to Shiva as Virateswara that bears close resemblance to the Khajuraho temples. It has a square sanctum, a vestibule and a large enclosed hall, in front of which originally was a beautiful pyramidal roof.

Best Season to Travel – October to March

Travel Tips

By Air
The nearest airport is at Khajuraho (175 km), connected with Delhi & Agra.

By Train
The nearest railhead is at Chitrakootdham (Karwi) (11 km) on the Jhansi-Manikpur main line.

By Road
Regular bus services connect Chitrakoot with Jhansi, Mahoba, Chitrakoot Dham, Harpalpur, Satna and Chhatarpur.

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