Chitrakoot is a town of great religious and historical significance, located in the Bundelkhand region of Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh. The town is associated with the epic Ramayana, as it is believed that Lord Rama, Sita and Lakshmana spent 11 years of their 14-year exile in the forests of Chitrakoot. The town is also known for its natural beauty, cultural heritage and spiritual atmosphere. One Day Chitrakoot Sightseeing Trip By Private Cab

Chitrakoot attracts pilgrims and tourists from all over the country and abroad, who come to visit the various temples, caves, ghats and ashrams related to the life and events of Lord Rama. In this article, we will provide you with the best travel guide to Chitrakoot, covering the best time to visit, things to do, places to visit, must-see attractions, significance and FAQs. One Day Chitrakoot Local Sightseeing Trip By Cab

Best Time to Visit Chitrakoot

The best time to visit Chitrakoot is between July and March, when the weather is pleasant and comfortable. The monsoon season (July to September) is ideal for witnessing the beauty and charm of the town, as the rain enhances the greenery and freshness of the surroundings. The waterfalls and rivers also become more lively and scenic during this time. The winter season (October to February) is also a good time to visit Chitrakoot, as the temperature remains moderate and suitable for sightseeing and outdoor activities.Bhopal – Best Travel Guide

The festivals of Diwali, Sharad Purnima, Makar Sankranti and Ram Navami are celebrated with great fervour and devotion in Chitrakoot during this season. The summer season (March to June) is the least advisable time to visit Chitrakoot, as the temperature rises up to 45°C and makes it very hot and humid. However, if you are a nature lover, you can still enjoy the flora and fauna of Chitrakoot during this time.

Things to Do in Chitrakoot

There are many things to do in Chitrakoot that will make your trip memorable and enjoyable. Some of the activities that you can indulge in are:

• Take a boat ride on the Mandakini river at Ram Ghat and enjoy the serene and spiritual ambience of the place. You can also witness the evening aarti and listen to the chants of Ram Dhun.
• Perform a parikrama or circumambulation around the Kamadgiri hill, which is considered to be the heart of Chitrakoot. You can visit the various temples dedicated to Lord Rama and his devotees along the way.
• Explore the Gupt Godavari caves, which are a pair of natural caves with a stream of water flowing inside.
• Visit the Sati Anusuya ashram, where you can learn about the story of Anusuya, who was one of the most virtuous women in Hindu mythology.
• See the Sphatik Shila, which is a rock that has the footprints of Lord Rama and Sita.
• Take a dip in the Bharat Koop, which is a well that contains holy water brought by Bharat from all the sacred rivers of India.
• Enjoy the scenic beauty of Janaki Kund, which is a spot on the bank of Mandakini river where Sita used to bathe.
• Visit the Ganesh Bagh, which is a garden complex that has a palace, a temple and a stepwell built by Peshwa Vinayak Rao.
• Experience the Bharat Milap Mandir, which is a temple that marks the spot where Bharat met Lord Rama and requested him to return to Ayodhya.
• Relish some local delicacies like rabri (thickened milk), peda (milk fudge), kachori (fried pastry) and chaat (spicy snack) at various eateries in Chitrakoot.

Places to Visit in Chitrakoot

Chitrakoot has many places to visit that will give you a glimpse of its rich history, culture and spirituality. Some of these places are:

Ram Ghat:

This is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Chitrakoot. It is a ghat or a series of steps leading to the Mandakini river, where Lord Rama, Sita and Lakshmana used to live and perform rituals. It is also the place where the famous poet Tulsidas met Lord Rama and composed the Ramcharitmanas. You can see many temples, ashrams and dharamshalas along the ghat. You can also enjoy boating and fishing in the river.

Kamadgiri Temple:

This is one of the most sacred temples in Chitrakoot. It is located on the Kamadgiri hill, which is believed to be the original Chitrakoot mountain mentioned in Ramayana. The temple is dedicated to Lord Rama, who is also known as Kamadnathji, meaning the fulfiller of all wishes. The Kamadgiri temple has a circular shape and has many shrines and images of Lord Rama and his devotees. Kamadgiri temple is surrounded by a 5 km long parikrama path, which is considered to be very auspicious.

Gupt Godavari Caves:

These are a pair of natural caves that have a stream of water flowing inside them. The caves are located about 18 km from Chitrakoot town and are accessible by road. The caves have some rock formations that resemble various deities and objects related to Hindu mythology. For example, one of the caves has a throne-like structure that is said to be the seat of Lord Rama. Another cave has a small opening that is said to be the way to Lanka, the kingdom of Ravana. The caves are also associated with some legends and stories of Lord Rama and his allies.

Sati Anusuya Temple:

This is a temple that is dedicated to Sati Anusuya, who was the wife of Atri Muni, a sage who lived in Chitrakoot. Sati Anusuya was known for her chastity and devotion to her husband. She was also the mother of three sons, who were the incarnations of Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva. The temple is located about 16 km from Chitrakoot town, amidst a thick forest. Anusuya temple has a shrine where Sati Anusuya’s idol is worshipped. Anusuya temple also has a stream of water that originates from the hill and forms the Mandakini river.

Sphatik Shila:

This is a rock that has the footprints of Lord Rama and Sita on it. It is located about 4 km from Chitrakoot town, near Janki Kund. The Sphatik Shila rock is also known as crystal rock, as it has a shiny appearance. The rock is believed to be the place where Lord Rama and Sita spent some time during their exile. Sphatik Shila rock also has some paintings and carvings depicting the scenes from Ramayana on its walls.

Must-See Attractions in Chitrakoot

Chitrakoot has some must-see attractions that will leave you spellbound and amazed by their beauty and significance. Some of these attractions are:

Hanuman Dhara Temple:

This is a temple that is dedicated to Lord Hanuman, who was a great devotee and ally of Lord Rama. The temple is located on a hill, about 5 km from Chitrakoot town. The temple has a statue of Lord Hanuman that is constantly showered by a stream of water that falls from a height of about 100 feet. The water is said to have medicinal properties and can cure many diseases. The temple also offers a panoramic view of Chitrakoot town and Mandakini river.

Bharat Koop:

This is a well that contains holy water brought by Bharat from all the sacred rivers of India. Bharat was the younger brother of Lord Rama, who came to Chitrakoot to persuade him to return to Ayodhya and rule as the king. However, Lord Rama refused and gave his sandals to Bharat as a symbol of his authority. Bharat then returned to Ayodhya and placed the sandals on the throne, instead of accepting it himself. He also brought water from all the holy rivers and poured it into a well, which came to be known as Bharat Koop. The well is located about 20 km from Chitrakoot town and has a small temple near it.

Janaki Kund:

This is a spot on the bank of Mandakini river where Sita used to bathe during her exile with Lord Rama. The spot has a rock formation that resembles Sita’s face in the water. The spot is also known as Sati Anusuya Ghat, as it is near Anusuya Ashram. The spot is surrounded by greenery and has a peaceful atmosphere. You can also take a dip in the river and feel its refreshing and holy water.

Significance of Chitrakoot

Chitrakoot is a town of immense significance for Hindus, as it is the place where Lord Rama, Sita and Lakshmana spent a major part of their exile. Chitrakoot is also the place where many events and incidents related to Ramayana took place, such as the meeting of Bharat and Lord Rama, the abduction of Sita by Ravana, the killing of Vali by Lord Rama, etc. Chitrakoot is also the place where many saints and sages lived and meditated, such as Atri, Anusuya, Tulsidas, etc. Chitrakoot is also the place where many temples and monuments were built to commemorate the glory and grace of Lord Rama and his devotees. Chitrakoot is a place that inspires devotion, faith, love and courage in the hearts of the visitors.

FAQs

Here are some frequently asked questions about Chitrakoot:

• Q: How to reach Chitrakoot by air, rail and road?
• A: Chitrakoot does not have an airport of its own. The nearest airport is Khajuraho Airport, which is about 175 km away from Chitrakoot. You can take a cab or a bus from the airport to reach Chitrakoot. Chitrakoot has a railway station called Chitrakoot Dham Karwi, which is connected to major cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Varanasi, etc. You can take a train to reach Chitrakoot Dham Karwi and then take a cab or an auto-rickshaw to reach Chitrakoot town. Chitrakoot is also well-connected by road to nearby cities like Allahabad, Banda, Satna, etc. You can take a bus or a cab to reach Chitrakoot by road.
• Q: What are the accommodation options in Chitrakoot?
• A: Chitrakoot has various accommodation options for different budgets and preferences. You can find hotels, resorts, guest houses, dharamshalas and ashrams in Chitrakoot. Some of the popular hotels in Chitrakoot are Ram Kripa Inn, Hotel Ram Darbar, Hotel Anurag Palace, etc. Some of the popular ashrams in Chitrakoot are Parmarth Ashram, Shri Raghavendra Ashram, Shri Ram Sharnam Ashram, etc.
• Q: What are the shopping options in Chitrakoot?
• A: Chitrakoot has some local markets and shops where you can buy some souvenirs and handicrafts. You can find items like religious books, idols, paintings, statues, beads, rudraksha, etc. in these markets. Some of the popular markets in Chitrakoot are Ram Ghat Market, Kamadgiri Market, Bharat Milap Market, etc.

Conclusion

Chitrakoot is a town that offers you a unique and enriching experience of exploring the places that are associated with the epic Ramayana and the divine couple Rama and Sita. By following this travel guide, you can plan your trip to Chitrakoot in a hassle-free and enjoyable way. You can visit the various attractions of Chitrakoot, such as Hanuman Dhara Temple, Ram Ghat, Gupt Godavari Caves, Sati Anusuya Temple, Sphatik Shila, Bharat Koop, Janaki Kund, Bharat Milap Mandir, etc. You can also indulge in various activities like boating, fishing, parikrama, etc. in Chitrakoot. You can also learn about the history and significance of these places and how they are related to the life and events of Lord Rama and Sita. You can also enjoy the natural beauty and tranquility of Chitrakoot and its surroundings.

Chitrakoot is a town that will give you a memorable and spiritual journey to the land of Ramayana. You will surely have a wonderful time in this town that is full of history, legend and faith. You will also feel closer to Lord Rama and Sita and their divine love after visiting Chitrakoot.