Chitrakoot is a town of immense religious importance for Hindus. This is mainly because the region features heavily in the Ramayana. It is here that Lord Ram, along with Goddess Sita and Lakshman, Lord Ram’s brother, spent a majority of their exile years. As per legend, they spent 11 of their 14 years here. There are quite a few other places in Chitrakoot that are significant in the Ramayana. One such place is the Hanuman Dhara. It is a dramatic cliffside temple that is accessible via an extensive climb. And we mean just that! There are more than 350 steps to the temple! Here’s how you can reach this sacred place and what you can expect once you reach it.
Why Is Hanuman Dhara Important?
The incident that gave rise to the Hanuman Dhara is quite an important one. After burning down Lanka (Lanka Dahan) to rescue Goddess Sita, Lord Hanuman returned with his tail ablaze and his body surging with immense heat. It is believed that the heat in his body was both because of the fire on his tail and because of the anger he was feeling at the turn of events.
When he reached the Vindhya hills of Chitrakoot, Lord Ram created a continuous, cold natural spring using his divine powers. The stream cascaded directly over Hanuman to soothe his burning sensation and cool his anger. This spring is now called the Hanuman Dhara.
To this day, the natural spring flows, and that too directly from the rock face that washes over an idol of Lord Hanuman. It then flows down into a stone reservoir. It is believed that the geographic source of Hanuman Dhara has still not been traced.
Hanuman Dhara, Chitrakoot: How To Reach The Top
There are two ways to reach the top, to the Hanuman Dhara temple, climbing the steps, or taking the ropeway.
Climbing 360 Steps
The steps to this legendary temple are moderately steep. The stairway is made from well-paved stone and is sufficiently punctuated with shade, resting benches, and handrails. To further ease your trip, the stairway is lined with vendors selling snacks, fresh fruits, lemon soda, puja offerings like prasad, holi oil, and red flags, and water bottles. Depending on how fit you are and how quickly you can climb the stairs, it can take anywhere from 25 to 45 minutes to climb the stairs.
The Ropeway Option
If you’re traveling with small children or senior citizens who cannot undertake the mammoth task of climbing the stairs, you can avail the modern ropeway. It plies almost continuously right from 7 AM to 6:30 PM. The tickets for the ropeway cost around INR 150 to INR 200.
Also Read: What To See Near Ram Mandir Ayodhya? Temples, Ghats & Places Within Walking Distance
What To Expect And Primary Shrines To Visit
1. The Primary Shrine And The Holy Stream (Dhara)
The main temple has a red-hued idol of Lord Hanuman that is carved right into the mountain cave wall. It also has a near-continuous trickle of crystal-clear spring water cascading over his arm and shoulder.
2. Panchmukhi Hanuman Temple
Located adjacent to the main cave is the temple dedicated to the five-faced form of Hanuman. This form of Hanuman represents victory over the five cardinal directions and negative energies.
3. Sita Rasoi (Goddess Sita’s Kitchen)
Located about 100 steps higher than the main Hanuman temple at the peak of the hill is the famed Sita Rasoi. It is a small historic room housing stone replicas of ancient cooking utensils (Rolling pin/Chakla-Belan, stove, and grinding stones) where, as per belief, Goddess Sita cooked meals for Ram and Lakshmana during their exile.
4. Panoramic Views of Chitrakoot
Climbing the summit offers sweeping views of the surrounding dense forests. You get to witness the panoramic views of winding rivers and the historic town landscape below.
Also Read: Places To Visit Near Ayodhya: Best Day Trips & Weekend Getaways
Author’s Note
One of my friends recently visited the temple, and she said that reaching Hanuman Dhara from Ramghat, which is the main city center, is quite straightforward. The temple is located around five km from the city center and takes around 15 to 20 mins to reach by private cabs or taxis. It cost her around INR 100 to INR 150.
If you’re coming directly from the railway station, the closest one is 12 km away, i.e., the Chitrakootdham Karwi (CKTD). It takes around 25 minutes to reach the temple from the station via a taxi.
As per my friend, the best time to visit is either early morning between 6 AM and 9 AM or late afternoon between 4:30 PM and 6 PM. This way, you can avoid the harsh midday sun and complete the task with relatively less exhaustion.
My friend also warned me of the large number of langurs and macaques there. If you do buy any food items, make sure you consume them quickly and do not offer any to the monkeys around. Keep sunglasses, cell phones, and food items securely stowed inside zipped bags. Avoid carrying open plastic bags with food or offerings in your hand.
Summing Up
Chitrakoot is a place of immense religious and cultural significance, and the Hanuman Dhara temple here is a testament to its importance. For a number of devotees of Lord Ram as well as pilgrims, visiting Chitrakoot is more than just leisure travel. For them, it’s about having their faith affirmed and feeling closer to their roots and their own religious and cultural identities. Every year, millions of pilgrims climb the lofty stairs to this Hanuman temple to receive blessings. If you are soon to be one of them, make sure you wear comfortable shoes, remain hydrated, and are wary of the monkeys.
