In the land of Chitrakoot,
Where the Mandakini flows,
Lies a town of beauty,
Where divinity glows.
Amidst the hills and forests,
Lies a place of serene grace,
A land of ancient legends,
That time cannot erase.
Chitrakoot
Are you planning a trip to India and looking for a place to connect with spirituality and nature? Indeed, look no further than Chitrakoot, a small town located in the northern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh. Chitrakoot known as the “place of many wonders,” is steeped in Hindu mythology and is considered one of the most sacred destinations in India. In this blog post, we will explore the top attractions in Chitrakoot and why it is a must-visit destination for spiritual seekers and nature lovers alike.
History of Chitrakoot
Here, Lord Rama found solace,
During his long exile,
And the tales of his journey,
Still linger here awhile.
On May 6, 1997, authorities carved out a new district called Chhatrapati Shahu Ji Maharaj Nagar from the Banda district in Uttar Pradesh, which included Karvi and Mau tehsils. The district’s name was later changed to Chitrakoot on September 4, 1998. The northern Vindhya range spans across Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh, with the Chitrakoot district of Uttar Pradesh and Satna district of Madhya Pradesh encompassing the major part of it.
The mythological history of Chitrakoot is also visible to everyone. In Valmiki Ramayana, Shri Prabhu Ram & Sita ji, along with Lakshman ji, spent 11 and a half years of exile in the Chitrakoot area in the hills of Chitrakoot, met the sages, and killed all the demons.
Chitrakoot Geography
Additionally, the Vindhya mountain range, also known as the location of Chitrakoot, falls in the middle of Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh. Half of Chitrakoot falls in the midst of greenery in Uttar Pradesh and some part falls near the Satna district of Madhya Pradesh or comes under the Satna district only.
Tourism
- Kamtanath Ji Temple:
From the Kamadgiri Temple,
To the Sphatik Shila’s shine,
Every corner of this town,
Is steeped in divine.
The main site of Chitrakoot is Kamtanath ji, comprises a hill spread over a radius of five to six kilometers. Furthermore, Lord Ram spent eleven and a half years of exile her. It is believed that circumambulating the Kamadgiri mountain fulfills all the wishes of the people. Every year lakhs of devotees come here with their wishes and circumambulate barefoot. The main deity of Kamadgiri is Lord Kamta Nath.
Kamnath Ji Temple
- Ram Ghat:
Ramghat by the river,
Is a spot of sacred bliss,
Where devotees come to bathe,
And seek eternal peace.
Ram Ghat is a holy spot located on the banks of the River Mandakini. People believe that Lord Ram and his brothers used to bathe at this ghat during their exile. Lush greenery surrounds the ghat, creating a peaceful and serene atmosphere. It is a popular spot for devotees to perform rituals and take a dip in the river.
Ramghat
- Lakshman pahadi:
Shri Laxman ji ensured his place on Kamadgiri mountain by ascending to a little height, from where he kept a sharp eye on his surroundings. This enabled him to be vigilant from above and spot any creature, monster, or tribe that might approach the mountain. Laxman ji created the way to reach the hill himself, and even today, Laxman hill has a kitchen place of Mata Sita and a platform made by Laxman ji. Additionally, a temple on the hill displays Laxman ji’s footprints along with different forms of Lord Shri Ram, Lakshman, and Mata Sita. People believe that hugging the pillars at the temple removes all the troubles of a house.
Laksham Pahadi
- Sita Rasoi:
They believe that Sita ji cooked rice here. The kitchen is situated in a very ancient cave near an ancient temple. It also features some rare pictures carved on stones. According to beliefs, Sita ji chose a place for cooking wherever she went with Lord Ram and Lakshman ji during their exile, and she used to cook food in those places. Today, all those places are known as Sita Rasoi. There is also a Sita hill in Chitrakoot, located 4 kilometers away from Sita Rasoi. If you get a chance, you should definitely visit there too.
Sita Rasoi
- Sati Anusuiya Temple:
The devotees built the Sati Anusuiya Temple on the banks of the River Mandakini to honor the wife of sage Atri. According to Hindu mythology, Sati Anusuiya earned recognition as a symbol of purity and faithfulness through her devotion to her husband. The temple’s serene surroundings and exquisite architecture make it a renowned site.
Sati Anusuiya Temple
- Gupt Godavari:
The Bharat Milap Temple,
Tells a tale of brotherly love,
And the Gupt Godavari cave,
Is a wonder from above.
Gupta Godavari is a unique mystery in itself, which contains the shade of nature within itself. There are two routes in this cave range, both routes have the origin of the Godavari river and also the end, no one knows from where it originates. Till today no one has come to know where it ends because the origin or termination of the Godavari river is not visible anywhere outside the caves of Gupta Godavari. Many scientists researched it but failed. People believe that there exists a Sita Kund inside the caves of Gupt Godavari, where Mata Sita used to bathe.
Once, a thief named Khatkhata was stealing Mata Sita’s clothes, and she cursed him. As a result, the thief, who had knocked, turned into a stone and was still hanging over the well. Some people believe that he turned into a bat. The water inside the well remains very hot during winter and becomes very cool during summer, which is also considered a wonder. They believe that Mother Ganga secretly came to this cave to meet Lord Shri Ram, which led to the naming of this place as Gupta Godavari.
Gupt Godavari
- Sphatik Shila:
Pilgrims popularly visit Sphatik Shila, which is located near the Kamadgiri Temple. It is believed that Lord Rama and his wife, Sita, sat on the rock during their exile in Chitrakoot. Over the years, the rock has undergone polishing, resulting in a smooth, glass-like finish.
Sphatik Shila
- Janaki Kund:
Tourists can find Janaki Kund, a small pond located near the Sati Anusuiya Temple. According to belief, Sita used to take a bath at this spot during her exile. The pond’s lush greenery surrounds it, providing a peaceful atmosphere for tourists.
Janki Kund
- Bharat Koop:
To consume the water of this well, people come from far and wide while going from Badan to Chitrakoot, there is a small village, and when you reach this wonderful well, your mind feels different peace. It is believed that taking a bath in the water of this well cures all the diseases of the body.
Bharat Koop
- Chitrakoot Museum:
The Chitrakoot Museum houses a rich collection of artifacts and exhibits that offer insights into the cultural and historical heritage of the region. It is located on the way to Char Dham, in which there are huge idols of Lord Shri Ram Mata Sita Hanuman ji, on seeing which it seems that God himself is sitting, that too in an awakened state and in this complex there is a very attractive garden.
Decorated with different types of flowers, trees, and plants, and inside the museum area of the complex, you get to see the entire Ramayana written on the walls.
Chitrakoot Museum
- Ganesh Bagh:
Vinayak Raj Peshwa built Ganesh Bagh on the Karvi-Devangana Road in the 19th century. The place features a temple constructed in the Khajuraho style, earning it the nickname Mini Khajuraho due to its resemblance to the original Khajuraho.
Ganesh Bagh
- Glass Temple:
This temple complex was established by Jagadguru Rambhadracharya ji. This temple complex is decorated from inside and outside with beautiful colorful papers, whose workmanship is worth seeing. You get to see swans etc. around this temple and you get to see beautiful gardens at the back and front.
Glass Temple
- Shabari Waterfall:
From the Chitrakoot Falls so mighty,
To the Janaki Kund’s charm,
Every spot in Chitrakoot,
Has a tale to disarm.
The Shabari waterfall on the Payaswani river in Shri Ram’s Tapobhoomi spreads the shade of attraction throughout the year. Tourists often do not know about this place but Shabri Waterfall is the biggest thrill-seeker for adventure lovers in Chitrakoot. This place is worth seeing in the rainy season and after standing here it feels like we are around the clouds or standing in paradise. It is a very relaxing place that every traveler should visit once. Must come and enjoy this place to the fullest.
Shabari Waterfall
- Pramod Van:
Pramod Van, one of the places to visit in Chitrakoot, is located on Satna road in the south, just 2 kilometers from Ram Ghat. Known as a beautiful garden, this place is situated on the banks of river Mandakani. Pramod Van was built by Maharaja Vishwanath Pratap Singh Judev of Rewa.
Pramod Van
- Viradh Kund:
Its distance from Shabri Falls is about 6 km. It is believed that the water of this reservoir reaches Patal Lok. Mythology reveals that a demon named Virdha lived in this place, and was later killed by Lord Rama. This demon used to run away to hide through this pool.
Viradh Kund
- Hanuman Dhara Temple:
And then there is the Hanuman Dhara,
With its waterfall so pure,
Where one can find healing,
And blessings to endure.
The Hanuman Dhara Temple is located on a hill and is dedicated to Lord Hanuman. The temple offers breathtaking views of the surrounding hills and valleys. It is believed that by taking a bath under the waterfall at the temple, one can be blessed with good health and prosperity.
Hanuman Dhara
Chitrakoot Climate
Chitrakoot, surrounded by lush green forests and mountains, remains normal according to the weather, here it rains more, and the heat is also more. Usually, this place becomes charming in the rain and the fun of visiting here becomes four times.
This town of timeless beauty,
Will capture your heart and soul,
And leave you with memories,
That time cannot control.
Chitrakoot is a hidden gem in India that is often overlooked by tourists. However, it offers a unique blend of spirituality and natural beauty that is hard to find anywhere else in the world. Whether you’re looking to connect with your spiritual side or just want to immerse yourself in nature, Chitrakoot has something for everyone. So why not add it to your travel itinerary and discover the wonders of this magical place for yourself?
