Chitrakoot is famous as a very holy pilgrimage centre. Its mention can be found in many mythological stories. Its nomenclature is bassed on two words ‘chitra’ and ‘koot’, where ‘chitra’ means colorful and ‘koot’ stands for hill The natural boundary of Chitrakoot is demarcated by holy rivers Mandakini and Payaswini Dham is basically a group five villages – two from chitrakoot district of Madhya Pradesh (Kamta and Sitapur) and three from Satna district of Madhya Pradesh (Kamta, Kohli and Nayagaon).
Mahakavi Kalidas’ Maghdoot has a beautiful depiction of this place making it even more religiously important. It is Said in Chitrakoot Mahatamya-
Hrishaystatra bahva, vihritya sharadaam sharam |
Tapasaa divamaaroodhah, kapaal-shirsa sah ||
The Biggest religious significance of Chitrakoot is that Lord Shri Ram is said to have spent fourteen years to exile period here, Chitrakoot’s spiritual legacy stretches back to legendary ages. Great sages like Maharishi Atri and other seers lived here and meditated
General Information
Area : 38.2sq km
Population : 9,90,526 (as per year 2011 census)
Season : July-March
Height from Sea-level : 207 metres
Clothing
Summer : light cotton garments
Winter : woollen garments
Language : Hindi-Bundeli, English
Local Conveyance :Rickshaw, Auto, Taxi
STD Code :05198 (UP) 07670 (MP)
TRANSPORT FACILITY
By Air
Bamrauli, Allahabad-145 km
By Rail
Nearest Railway Station- Chitrakoot Dham, Karvi- 10 km, Banda- 70 km, Mahoba -127km, Khajuraho-185 km, Manikpur-35 Allahabad-127 km
By Road
Nearest Bus Station Karvi- 8 km, Banda- 70 km, Satna- 70 km, Kalinjar- 88km, Allahabad- 130 km, Mahoba -127 km, Khajuraho- 135 km, Jhansi- 274 km, Lucknow- 285 km
PLACES TO VISIT:
SITAPUR
Sitapur is the main locality in Chitrakoot dham and is situated on the banks of Payaswini river. This place was earlier known as Jaisinghpur. The office of Uttar Pradesh Tourist Department and Tourist Guest House are located here.
PAYASWINI RIVER (MANDAKINI)
A fine bow-shaped steream of Payaswini River flowing through Anusuya Ashram located at the boundary of Satna district of Madhya Pradesh, is known as Mandakini It is said that Lord Ram gave tilanjali to his father Dashratha here. There are around 24 ghats situated on the banks of Payaswini river. Most prominent among them are Ramghat, Dhritakullya ghat Kailash ghat and Raghav Prayag ghat.
HANUMAN DHARA
Around 5 km away from Sitapur,a Hanuman Dhara temple is situated on a hill top. A couple of temple including Sita Ki Rasoi are situated on the upper hilltop of Hanuman temple. There are around 355 stairs to reach the Hanuman Dhara temple. Here a water spring coming out of mountain rocks falls directly upon the deity of Lord Hanuman.
RAMGHAT
This is the main ghat of Payaswini- Mandakini river. A famous saying about this ghat is that Lord Ram used to offer Chandan sandal wood to poet Tulsidas during the time of prayers.
Chitrakoot ke ghaat par bhai santan ki bheed
Tulsidas chandan ghise, Tilak det Raghubir | |
There is a Yagyavedi above Ramghat and it is said that Brahma performed yajna here.
MATYAGAYENDRANATH SWAMI
This famous Shiv temple is situated on Ramghat. It is said that Lord Ram installed a Shivling on Ramghat in the guest to get rid of the gloom of exile.
It is believed that offering prayers at Matyagayendranath Swami temple helps to get freedom from all sorrows fright and depression.
KAMADGIRI/KAMTANATH
Parikrama cuircumambulation of the Kamadgiri Mountain is the prime attraction of Chitrakoot visit It is believed that performing parikrama around this hill helps fulfil all wishes The 5 km parikrama path touches various places in Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Predesh Four important temples are situated on the prikrama path namely prachin Mukhaar Vind, Chaupada temple and Barha ke Hanumanji and some other small and big ones alongwith the main gate such as Yatha Sakshi Gopal, Lakshmi Narayan Temple, Vijayi Hanumanji, Shri Ram Charan Puduka etc. It is believed that lord Ram stayed at Kamadgiri Mountain during the exile period. Every year lakhs of devotees visit the place during amavasya (New moon) to take holy dip at Ramghat and perform parikrama around Kamtanath hill.
RAM DARSHAN
This place is situated 8 km away from Chitrakoot. A photo gallery depictin the various stories related to Ramayana is a spot of attraction.
Entry Fee: Minor Rs. 2/- and Adult – Rs.5/-
Time: Morning 9 km till evening 5 pm
AAROGYADHAM, CHITRAKOOT
This place is situated 5 km away. There is a well-equipped Ayurvedic and Naturopathy medical facility available here. The beautiful and attractive garden are a place of attraction here.
GANESHBAGH
Located 10 km away from Chitrakoot on Karvi-Devangana road, Ganeshbagh stand tall narrating the existence of Peshwa kingdom. Ganeshbagh was built by Vinayak Rao Preshwa in the beginning of 19th century for their amusement. This place depicts an amazing example of indian architecture. Located in the middle is the exquisitely carved six-angled Shiva temple. The upper part of the temple has finely engraved domes with figures that resemble the temple in Khajuraho. The front of the temple has a huge water tank, Which adds to its beauty and charm. The western side of the temple has a seven-storied grand Vapi in which there is amazing unison of well and vapi. This place is also known as mini Khajuraho.
LAKSHAMAN PAHARI
This place can be reached through around 150 stairs on the hill situated between the Bharat Milap and Dvitiya Mukhar vind at Parikrama marg. There is a well situated here. It is believed that Laskhaman used to stay during Chitrakoot stay- period of Lord Ram’s exile.
RAM SHAIYA
This place is Located on the way between Bharat Koop and Sitapur. It has a large flat-bed rock which bears imprints of two people in sleeping position with a bow. It is said that Lord Ram and sita took rest here for a night after wandering around the forests of chirakoot. It is also believed that Ram kept his bow-arrows between him and sita, imprints of which can be seen there.
BHARAT MILAP
This path which was taken by Ram to move ahead of Chitrakoot is still present: however it is covered by dense forests now. There are square rocks. The path between Anusuya Ashram and Sharbhang Ashram has forests on its borth sides. At a distance from Anusuya Ashram is a spring and a cave that has Lord hanuman’s idol. A little away from there is Viradh kund. It is said that Lakshaman dug up a huge pit and had buried a demon named Viradh there.
DEVANGANA KOTITIRTHA
Around 13 km away from Chitakoot, this place is situated on one of the hills of Vindhya mountain range There is a huge cave and a Hanuman temple. This place is famous for meditation by saints and is an epitome of natural beauty.
BANKESIDHA
Around 11 km from Chitrakoot and 3 km south-east of Ganeshbagh, Bankesidha is situated on the background of Vindhya montain ranges and is famous for its natural beauty. This is a naturally built beautiful cave. Under a huge rock is a spacious hall which is hundreds of feet above the ground level. Permanent steps are built from beneath the cave to reach there. From the top comes a fountain that baths the northern part of the cave and merges into the mountain’s hall.
FOUR PILGRIMAGES OF CHITRAKOOT
Janaki Kund Around 5 km away from Sitapur Chitrakoot, near Mandakini is situated janaki Kund. It is believed that Sita also known as janaki bathed here during the years of her exile with Ram.
Massive crystal rocks amidst the water and on one of them footprints of Lord Ram are there. The natural beauty of this place is mesmerizing
ANUSUYA ASHRAMA
Around 14 km from Sitapur, the ancient Anusuya is situated at the banks of Mandakini river. It was here that Maharishi Atri and Mahasati Anusuya did severe penance. During the exile with Ram, Sita took preachings from Anusuya here.
GUPTA GODAVARI
Situated around 19 km away Chitrakoot, Gupta Godavari is a huge cave flooded with natural water springs and fountains. The springs constantly flow throght the cave The stream of water falls into two wells and mergs in them This is why it is called as Gupta Godavari.
One can pass through the cave only by stepping into knee-level water.
PLACE OF ATTRACTION NEAR CHITRAKOOT DHAM
Valmiki Aashram (20 km)
During his journey from Prayag to Chitrakoot, Lord Ram reached Maharishi Valmiki’s ashram. Maharishi asked Shri Ram to stay in Chitrakoot It is said that near Chitrakoot there were two places of sage Valmiki-one was located Bachoi village towards the west of Lalapur hill while the other one was near Sitapur (Chitrakoot). When Lord Ram stayed in Chitrakoot, then Valmiki also stayed nearby in an ashram for some days.
BHARAT KOOP
Around 18 km away from Sitapur, on the way to Banda, there is a very old well in Bharat Koop. It is believed that all the water brought from different holy rivers for Lord Ram coronation (Rajyabhishek) was collected in this well This place has a lot of religious significance. It is said that bathing in this well washes away all sins and drinking its water heels the body and soul. An old Ram Bharat temple is also situated here.
RAJAPUR
It is believed that around 45 km away from Sitapur, on the banks of Yamuna river, Goswami Tulsidas lived in a house in Rajapur town Several temples are attached to the house. This place has a rare collection of handwrittern Ramcharitra Manas, composed by Goswami Tulsidas.
MADFA
Around 30 km away from Chitrakoot is Sage Mandava’s hermitage (ashram), famously known as Madfa Here, relics of forts constructed by Chandel kings can be found. The places of attraction include Balaji temple, Panchmukhi Shiva temple and Papmachan Saravar.
KHAJURAHO (135 KM)
Khajuraho is an international level tourist spot and is amoung the popular world heritage sites of Central India. Khajuraho temples were built during the reign of the Chandela rulers. Ornate temples of Khajuraho are spectacular piece of artistic creativity. and magnificent architectural work. The walls of these temples have beautifully carved images and figures.
MAIHAR (123 KM)
Near Maihar (Satna, M.P.) station is a pilgrimage , which is known for massive Maa Sharda Devi temple, situated at the top of a hill. It i said that famous warrior Alha was very strong follower of Sharda Devi. For convenience of the pilgrims, there is a ropewat that connects the city with the temple.
KALINJAR (76 KM)
Spread over 4 km square kilometer area on Vindhya mountain range and at 800-feet above the ground level, Kalinjar Fort is a famous historical and religious place of pilgrimage Hisorically it is famous by the name of Abhedya Durg. It is believed that Lord Shiva stayed at this mountain to curb the toxicity of poison that he swallowed in an act to protect the universe. There are seven ancient doors to enter the fort Massive Neelkanth temple is located near the seventh door of the fort. There are several sights seeing spots inside the fort these include Sita Sej, Mragadhara, Patal- ganga, place of Amaan Singh, koti Teertha Mandook Bhairav and Swargarahan Kund etc.
MAHOBA
The historically significant city of significant city of Mahoba is situated 126 km away from Chitrakoot. The stories of warriors Alha and Udal define its importance in Indian history. The place is famous for its beautiful lakes and temples. There are several lakes spread amid the mountains of granite such as Keerti Sagar, Modan Sagar, Kalyan Sagar, Vijay Sagar etc which add the beauty of Mahoba. The Sun Temple situated in Rahela Sagar, even in its ramshackle state stands talls depicting tall, depicting the magnificent architecture of Chandela dynasty.
FAIRS AND FESTIVALS
Rashtrita Ramayana mela : February- March
Ram Navmi : March- April
Shravan jhoola : August
Navratri : October-November
Vijayadashmi : October-November
Deepdan during Deepawali : October-November
Amavasya : October-November
MEDICAL SERVICES
- Upgraded Health Centure, Sitapur
- U.P. Sandguru Seva Sangh, Janaki Kund, M.P.
- District Hospital, Karvi-Tejipur
- Ramkripa Chikitsalaya, Handicapped University, Chitrakoot
ACCOMODATION FACILTIES – Contact us @ 9319140846
S No.. Hotel/Lodge/Name of Guest House & Address
- Jaipuriya Bhavan, Sitapur, Chitrakoot
- Radhika Bhavan, Sitapur, Chitrakoot
- Shreeji Bhavan, Sitapur, Chitrakoot
- Kamadgiri Bhavan, Ramghat, Chitrakoot
- Vinod Lodge, Ramaghat, Chitrakoot
- Pitra Smriti Vishram Griha, Ramghat, Chitrakoot
- Mandakini Satsang Bhavan, Sitapur Road, Chitrakoot
- Hotel Ramkripa Inn, near Nagarpalika, Karvi, Chitrakoot
- Brijrani Guest House, In front of Railway Staiton, Karvi, Chitrakoot
- Agrawal Guest House, In Front of Railway Station, Karvi, Chitrakoot
- Krishna Lodge, In Front of Railway Station, Karvi, Chitrakoot
- MP Tourism Corpn, Tourist Bungalow, Ramghat, Chitrakoot
