Spanning the borders of two major Indian states, Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh, is a quaint and quiet little town of immense religious and cultural importance. We are, of course, talking about Chitrakoot. It is a popular destination among Hindu pilgrims and is much revered by devotees throughout the country. It has many claims to fame, and in this article, unstumbled intends to tell you some of them along with what you can see and do in this sacred town!
Why Is Chitrakoot Famous?
Chitrakoot straddles the border of Uttar Pradesh (Chitrakoot district) and Madhya Pradesh (Satna district). The name means “Hill of Many Wonders” and, as you will see in this article, the region is aptly named. The biggest claim to fame this town has is primarily as the forest sanctuary where Lord Ram, Goddess Sita, and Lakshmana spent 11 and a half years of their 14-year exile.
It is also the sacred land where the famous and influential Sage Valmiki, Maharishi Atri, and Sati Anusuya lived. What is more, Chitrakoot is also famed to be the place where Goswami Tulsidas was inspired to write parts of his seminal Ramcharitmanas.
As such, there are a number of religiously and mythologically significant landmarks scattered across the town that many pilgrims visit. This has subsequently turned Chitrakoot into one of the most important pilgrimage destinations for Hindus.
Also Read: Top 7 Things To Do In Madhya Pradesh
Famous Landmarks And Things To Do In Chitrakoot
1. Kamadgiri Hill And Bharat Milap Temple
Kamadgiri is considered the divine, living embodiment of Chitrakoot. It houses the site of Bharat Milap, which is now the famous Bharat Milap Temple. This is the place where Lord Ram’s brother Bharat arrived to convince him to return to Ayodhya. When he realized that that couldn’t happen, he ultimately left with Ram’s wooden sandals (Paduka). Pilgrims usually pay their respects here by walking the 5-kilometer paved Parikrama path around the forested hill.
2. Gupt Godavari Natural Caves
The Gupt Godavari caves are a pair of natural limestone caves that contain a secret stream, hence the name. Legend has it that the river Godavari secretly flowed here from Maharashtra to pay tribute to Lord Ram. The remnant of the river still flows here. If you are visiting the caves, you will witness narrow, torch-lit stone passages with fresh mountain water flowing around your feet.
3. Sphatik Shila And Janki Kund
Some other noteworthy landmarks that are must-see for pilgrims are the Sphatik Shila and the Janki Kund. The Janki Kund is a serene stretch of water. Upstream, this river is where Goddess Sita is said to have bathed during the period of exile.
Sphatik Shila, too, is significant. It is a large quartz boulder on the banks of the Mandakini River. The boulder is very revered as it is said to have the footprints of Lord Ram and Goddess Sita.
4. Ganesh Bagh, The Mini Khajuraho
This heritage and garden complex is located at a little distance away from the main town of Chitrakoot. However, it is well worth seeing. It was built in the 19th century by Peshwa Vinayak Rao as a royal summer retreat. Ganesh Bagh is located around 11 km from Chitrakoot and features ornate stone carvings that resemble Khajuraho’s architecture. A phenomenal piece of architecture here is the grand seven-story stepwell (Baoli).
5. Sati Anusuya Ashram And Forest Reserve
The Sati Anusuya Ashram and Forest Reserve is tucked inside thick forests 16 km away from the main Chitrakoot town. This is where Maharishi Atri and Sati Anusuya are said to have lived. It marks the very starting point of the Mandakini River and offers lush forest walks that are unmissable for devotees and pilgrims who love trekking.
6. Kalinjar Fort
This is a massive, ancient Chandela-era hill fort. This majestic fort stands high on the Vindhya range and is renowned for its rock-cut Neelkanth Shiva temple and historic ramparts. History aficionados and lovers of ancient architecture will particularly enjoy this fort.
Things To Do In Chitrakoot
- Walking Along The Ram Ghat: Ram Ghat is a central promenade in Chitrakoot that has a near-continuous bustle in its ambiance. The sadhus, flower sellers, and wooden rowboats are a sight to behold. Be sure to also visit the memorial stone marking the spot where poet-saint Tulsidas had a divine vision of Lord Ram and Lakshmana.
- Watching The Evening Mandakini Aarti: Each evening, as darkness falls, thousands come together along the stone steps for the grand brass-lamp Aarti. Accompanied by chanting, traditional bells, and floating clay lamps on the Mandakini, to say that the experience is riveting is an understatement.
Also Read: Places To Visit Near Ayodhya: Best Day Trips & Weekend Getaways
Author’s Note
I visited Chitrakoot in November and found the weather to be very cool and pleasant. I would recommend readers visit between October and March, as that is the perfect window. You avoid the pesky heat of the summer season as well as the travel obstructions of the monsoon season. The temperature hovers between 10°C and 25°C.
We traveled to Chitrakoot via train and deboarded at its major railway station, Chitrakootdham Karwi. Direct express trains, especially from major nearby cities like Delhi, Prayagraj, Lucknow, and Varanasi, are available and affordable.
If budget is no bar for you, you can travel via flights as well. The closest major airport here is in Prayagraj, around 120 km from Chitrakoot. Another option is to fly to Khajuraho airport, which is 170 km from the region.
My stay lasted around two days and one night, and I think that that is the perfect amount of time to spend here without getting bored. I was comfortably able to cover all the major caves, temples, and the evening aarti during my stay.
Summing Up
Chitrakoot is one of the most tranquil towns in Madhya Pradesh. The calmness that must have prompted Lord Rama to stay here for eleven years still persists. Regardless of when you visit this sacred town, you are sure to experience this tranquility that, for many pilgrims, is unique and hard to find elsewhere.
