India is
full of tourism that’s the reason people are reaching different states and
spots for their holidays. The abroad visitors are regularly increasing as they
are getting the info about best locations of India. Among all Indian tourist
places Chitrakoot is one town of Satna region, Madhya Pradesh. This religious
town of India is famous as Lord Rama visited the place and spends his valuable
time near the pond of Chitrakoot. The town is full of cultural activities and people
are celebrating all Hindu festivals with full motivation and enjoyment. The town’s
archaeological importance makes it first choice for religious people of India. The
town is located on the border of UP (Uttar Pradesh). This place is also
recognized as Chitrakoot Dham which means Karwi. This is the only region
serving two big states of India such as MP (Madhya Pradesh) and UP (UttarPradesh). The countless temples and shrines with Hindu scriptures are special.
Amavasya is
the occasion when many people get together at Chitrakoot. Deepawali, Somwati
Amavasyas, Makar Sankranti, Sharad-Poornima and Ramanavami are special events for
Hindu religion. Local populace celebrate every festival with full excitement so
spending the time at mentioned events could be best time for visitors. Public reach
Chitrakoot not only for religious values but they also attain to the town for Ayurvedic
treatment and Yoga coaching. Arogyadham is the big organization of India located
in Chitrakoot.
According to
religious books Chitrakoot was deep forest and Lord Rama, Goddess Sita and Sri
Lakshman spent 11 ½ years of their exile period. The town was also visited by Atri,
Dattatreya, Sati Anusuya, Sarbhanga, Maharshi Markandeya, Sutikshna and many other
seers, sages, devotees too. They all meditated at Chitrakoot and spend their
valuable time of life. According to sources Lord Brahma, Hindu pantheon, Lord Vishnu
and Lord Mahesh took their different births at Chitrakoot. Sources also
expresses that many gods and goddesses reach to Chitrakoot when Lord Rama done the
Shraddha (death ceremony) of father Dashratha.
After exile
of Lord Rama his younger brother Bharat was asked by ministers to rule the city
by taking seat of Ayodhya. Bharat refused to become king and he came to Chitrakoot
to meet Lord Rama. The place where Bharat meet Lord Rama is known as Bharat Milap.
At the meeting point Bharat requested Lord Rama to return Ayodhya, though Lord
Rama refused to go back as he promised his mother for 14 years exile. Afterwards
Bharat took the sandals of Lord Rama and returned Ayodhya. He installed the
sandals on throne and took retirement. Lord Rama left the Chitrakoot for two major
reasons. One reason was there were lots of Asura’s who hate Rama and the next
reason was men from Ayodhya had corrupted the area where Lord Rama was living. The
lord Rama family went towards Dandaka forest from Chitrakoot.
Areas for
tourist in Chitrakoot:
Ramghat: ghats
of this place are world famous particularly the ghat situated near the Mandakini
River. The place is identified as Ramghat where tourist will take blessings by hearing
and chanting hymns. The sweet smell of incense is also special thing of spot. Visitors
must not miss the evening arti of Ramghat which is best among all arti’s in India.
Lord Rama and family took bath in this ghat during the period of Chitrakoot stay.
Kamadgiri: the
next spot for visitors is Kamadgiri which the real Chitrakuta. This dense forested
hill is best spot to view the town. Here travelers will see chain of temples having
idols of Lord Rama, Goddess Sita and Laxman. Local people recognize the Lord
Rama as Kamad Nath Ji which means fulfiller of wishes.
Bharat Milap:
described above this place is wonderful and people must visit the spot. The place
is described in Ramayana so its having large religious values particularly for
Hindus. The temple located here expresses the story of Bharat meeting with Lord
Rama. Sources say the meeting was that touching that the hard rock mounts of Chitrakoot
started melting. Tourist can view the foot prints of Rama and other three brothers
in the Bharat Milap temple.
Janaki Kund:
Sita Mata is having another name as Janaki and the kund (pond) located on the
upper area of Ramghat is known as Janaki Kund. People believe Mata Sita took
bath in pond due to clear waters of river Mandakini.
Sati Anusuya
Ashram: situated close to Ramghat is one more tourist spot. This ashram is only
16 kms away from the city center. The thick forest with calm and peace is best
thing of ashram. People can easily hear the melody of songs of bird at this
place. According to sources Rishi Atri and his companion Anusuya lived here
with their 3 sons. The ashram is very quiet place where people can enjoy the various
streams flowing from hills. The forest Dandaka starts from Sati Anusuya Ashram
so travelers can enjoy some more greenery of the area. Sources say Dandaka area
was ruled by Asura King Ravana. He appointed the strong asuras such as Khara
and Viradha to control this place.
Sphatik
Shila: the spot known as Sphatik Shila is just few kms away from Janaki Kund. Lord
Rama's and Goddess Sita footprints are available at this location.
Gupt-Godavari:
the location is only 18 kms away from Chitrakoot town center. The pair of caverns
in which one is broad and other is barely passing are special spots. The narrow
water stream running from the cave gives different feeling to visitors.
Pampapur: the
town is having one more tourist spot known as Pampapur. The location is deep valley
of Devangana having countless natural scenery. The sacred caves are special to
watch at this spot.
Hanuman
Dhara: situated on the rock-face around hundred feet up the sheer hill area is another
spot. This place is created by Lord Rama to lessen Hanuman when he returned the
Chitrakoot after fire work in Lanka. Some shrines in Dhara are amazing with
idols of Hanuman and Lord Rama. The panoramic view of the town is definitely
going to impress the visitors.
Bharat Koop:
it is the place where Bharat stored sacred water he gathered from different pilgrimage
places of India. This is a kind of pond situated just few kms away from the
main town area.
Attaining to
Chitrakoot:
The big
cities having transport to reach destination are Kanpur 212 kms, Lucknow 277 kms,
Bhopal 552 kms, Nagpur 565 kms and Delhi 632 kms.
By Rail: The
nearby railway station is located at Chitrakoot Dham. The distance is 11 kms
from the city, though taxi and local transport is available to reach Chitrakoot
town from station. The railway line from Jhansi to Manipur crosses the Chitrakoot
Dham station. Closest big stations are Bharat Kup which is just 32 kms away and
Manikpur Jn which is just 41 kms away.
By Air: best
air station for Chitrakoot is Khajuraho which is just 175 kms away. Frequent domestic
flights from various parts of nation are available for Khajuraho. Daily flights
from Delhi, Varanasi and Agra are easily accessible.
By Road: UP
and MP government is providing the buses for Chitrakoot, though the roads of UP
are not bad enough but tourist might get difficulty to travel. Buses from Jhansi,
Satna, Harpalpur, Chhatarpur and Mahoba are available for visitors. State bus
ends at Karwi which is just 8 kms away from Chitrakoot.
