Varsha PandeyChitrakoot Dham has many places of religious and mythological significance visit by believers and tourists alike.
Administratively, some of these places are in Uttar Pradesh and others are in Madhya Pradesh.
Chitrakoot dham
It is a also natural place that is famous for its natural scenery as well as its spiritual importance.
A tourist enthralled by the beautiful waterfalls, playful young deer, and dancing peacocks.
while a pilgrim is enthralled by taking a dip in Payasvani/Mandakini and basking in the dust of Kamadgiri.
Since time immemorial the Chitrakoot region has been a vibrant center of inspiration for cosmic consciousness.
Thousands of monks, sadhus, and sages have attained high spiritual status here and made a beneficial impact on the world through their penance, meditation, yoga, austerity, and various arduous spiritual endeavors.
Nature has very generously bestowed all its gifts on this region, which enables it to attract pilgrims and tourists from all over the world.
Atri, Anusuya, Dattatreya, Maharishi Markandeya, Sarabhang, Sutikshna, and various other sages, saints, devotees, and thinkers all spent their lives in this region and according to experts, many such people are still doing penance in various caves and other areas here.
Thus the region has a spiritual aroma, which pervades the entire atmosphere and makes each day here spiritually alive.
Chitrakoot is the pilgrimage of all pilgrimages.
According to Hindu belief, Prayagraj (modern name- Allahabad) is the king of all pilgrimages; But Chitrakoot has been given a higher position than that.
Legend has it that when Chitrakoot did not reach Prayagraj like other pilgrimages, then Prayagraj was told about the higher status of Chitrakoot and Prayagraj was expected to go to Chitrakoot, on the contrary Chitrakoot should come here.
It is also believed that Prayagraj comes every year to wash away his sins by bathing in Payaswani.
History of Chitrakoot Dham
The ancient history of Chitrakoot Dham
Chitrakoot Dham is home to Lord Rama, Mother Sita, and Shri Ram’s younger brother Lakshmana eleven years of exile.
It is also said that when Lord Rama performed the Shraadh of his father, all the gods and goddesses came to Chitrakoot to participate in the Shuddhi Bhoj.
It is the beauty of the place.
The presence of Lord Rama is a spiritual dimension to it.
So they were not ready to return.
Vashishtha, understanding his desire to live and live as per Lord Rama’s wish, forgot to utter the Visarjan (departure) mantra.
Thus, all the Gods and Goddesses have made this place their permanent abode and are always present there.
Even today, even when tourist approaches this place with its profusion of ancient rocks, caves, hermitages, and temples, he unknowingly finds themselves in the company of sages engaged in holy and spiritual practice, in the midst of sacred rites and enlightenment.
Gets lost in an atmosphere full of teachings and creations and enjoys the bliss of a different world.
Thousands of pilgrims and seekers of truth from all parts of the world take shelter in this place driven by an irresistible desire to improve and elevate their lives.
Chitrakoot has had a distinct name and identity since ancient times.
More about Chitrakoot Dham
The first known mention of the place is in Valmiki Ramayana, believed to be the earliest epic composed by the earliest poet.
As an unwritten structure, this epic of development was handed down from generation to generation by oral tradition.
The antiquity and fame of this place by Valmiki.
who is believed to be a contemporary (or even before him) of Rama, and who is believed to have composed the Ramayana before the birth of Rama.
Maharishi Valmiki portrays Chitrakoot as a great holy place, inhabited by great sages and home to monkeys, bears, and a variety of other fauna and flora.
Sages Bharadwaja and Valmiki both speak in praiseworthy words about this region.
Sri Rama makes it his abode during the period of his exile, as this place is capable of fulfilling all one’s desires and giving him peace of mind.
Lord Rama himself believes in the enchanting effect of this place.
Contribution of Chitrakoot dham to literature
Chitrakoot has a special place in the description of pilgrimages at various places in Ramopakhyan and Mahabharata.
The ‘Adhyatma Ramayana’ and the ‘Brihat Ramayana’ attest to the staggering spiritual and natural beauty of Chitrakoot.
This place has been given a unique distinction in the entire Indian literature related to Rama.
Father Kamil Bulkeley also mentions the ‘Chitrakoot-Mahatmya’ found in Mackenzie’s collection.
Various Sanskrit and Hindi poets have described Chitrakoot.
Mahakavi Kalidas has given a beautiful description of this place in his epic ‘Raghuvansh’.
He was so impressed by the charm of the place that he made Chitrakoot (which he called Ramgiri because of its venerable association with Lord Rama) the place of exile of his yaksha in Meghdoot.
Hindi saint-poet Tulsidas ji has mentioned this place very respectfully in all his major works- Ramcharit Manas, Kavitavali, Dohavali, and Vinay Patrika.
The last text contains several verses, which demonstrate a deep personal bond between Tulsidas and Chitrakoot.
the famous Hindi poet Rahim (Abdur Rahim Khan-e-Khana, soldier, politician, saint, scholar, and poet, who was one of Akbar’s nine gems) spent some time here when he was on the side of Emperor Jahangir, Akbar’s son.
According to the Bitaka literature of the Pranami sect, the saint poet Mahamati Prananath wrote two of his books – Chhota Qayamatnama Nama and Bada Qayamatnama.
modern history
In Uttar Pradesh, on May 6, 1997, a new district named Chhatrapati Shahu Ji Maharaj Nagar was carved out of the Banda district, which included Karvi and Mau tehsils.
After some time, the name of the district was changed to Chitrakoot on 4 September 1998.
It is in the northern Vindhya range over the states of Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh.
The major part of here is in the Chitrakoot district of Uttar Pradesh and Satna district of Madhya Pradesh.
The word “Chitrakoot” signifies the rich cultural, religious, historical, and archaeological heritage of the various places and sites in the region.
Lakhs of devotees from different regions gather here every Amavasya.
Somvati Amavasya, Diwali, Sharad-Purnima, Makar-Sankranti, and Ram Navami are special occasions for such celebrations here.
Places to visit near Chitrakoot dham
Gupta Godavari
It is very popular with nature-loving tourists.
The distance between Gupta Godavari from Chitrakoot city is about 18 km.
There are two caves here.
The first cave is wide and high, the second is long and narrow.
There is always water flowing in it.
There is a pond at the end of the cave.
According to mythology, Lord Rama’s court is here.
Bharat Milap Temple
The Bharat Milap temple is near Param Kutir.
This is where Lord Rama met his brother Bharat.
Lord Rama’s footprints can still be seen here.
Fort Kalinzar
Fort in the Banda region near Chitrakuta, this fort has its own history as the rulers of Chandel are here.
Attempts to conquer this fortress were repeated from time to time, but no one was able to conquer it.
Ramghat
At this place in Chitrakuta, Lord Shri Ram, Lakshman, and Mother Sita met Tulsidas.
This place is on the banks of the Mandakini river.
Lord Shri Ram stopped and bathed which made this river even more sacred.
Hanuman Dara
Hanuman Dhara is also a famous temple in Chitrakuta.
This temple of Lord Hanuman.
Devotees have to climb 350 steps to reach this temple.
It is said that Lord Hanuman jumped from this hill after burning Lanka and then went into the cold water to appease his anger.
Since then, this place has been known as Hanuman Dhara.
Sati Anusha Ashram
The Sati Anusya Ashram is also on the banks of the Mandakini River, about 16 km from the city.
According to mythology, sage Atri Muni lived here with his wife Anusuya, and three sons.
Basically, The ashram is full of greenery.
So, Lord Rama came here with her mother Sita where Goddess Anusuya told her mother Sita about the importance of her chastity.
Best time to visit
However, the best time to visit Chitrakuta is from October to March.
Between October and November, the city and its surroundings offer excellent views of nature. December to March is best for sightseeing.
How to reach
Because every place among people is people’s religious mood, many pilgrims visit this place.
By Air
The nearest airport is Khajuraho Airport.
By Train
It has 3 train stations.
- Chitrakut Dham (Karbi, Uttar Pradesh.
- Chitrakut Karbi is 10 km away. You can get there by bus, taxi, or other transport from Chitrakut Dham Railway Station
- Majgawan (train station) – Chitrakut is 34 km away.
- Satna (MP Railway Station) – Satna is the main railway station and is 78 km from Chitrakut.So, buses, and private taxis are also readily available.
By road
The distance from the Satna is about 78 km.
