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Chitrakut (Chitrakoot), the 'hill of many wonders' is a religious pilgrim
center as well as a historical place. Spread over the states of Utter
Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh, it's larger part is included in the Chitrakoot
district of Uttar Pradesh and Satna district of Madhya Pradesh.
Nestles amidst tranquil forest glades and mountain streams
in the Vindhya ranges, thousands of pilgrims comes here for Hari darshan
and pay their homage to the God Hari. It's ancient history dates back
to the time of the Ramayana - Lord Rama, his brother Laxman and Sita,
while on their fourteen years of exile, spent eleven years at Chitrakoot.
The place is also the great Sage Atri and his wife Anusuya meditated,
and the holy trinity of the Hindu pantheon Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva took
their incarnations here.
Tourist attractions in Chitrakoot
Ramghat
Situated on the banks of the river Mandakini, it is the most visited place
in Chitrakoot. Like Varanasi, it is a long stretch of steps cut into the
banks where pilgrims perform religious rituals on Amavasya, Somwati Amavasyas,
Deepawali, Sharad-Poornima, Makar Sankranti and Ramanavami. Legend says
that Lord Rama, his brother Laxman and Sita made Ramghat as their bathing
place. It is here the famous saint poet Tulsidas wrote 'Ramcharitmanas'.
Here, amidst the chanting of hymns devotees in saffron robes take a ceremonial
dip in the river and offer prayers early morning. A good way to see this
ghat is to hire a boat.
Janaki Kund
Just 2 km from Ramghat is Janaki Kund, where Sita is believed to have
bathed. A series of steps on the left bank of a straight stretch of river,
descending down to the river Mandaikini. Near to this, there is a cave
shrine along a steep cliff that rises above the river, known as Sita Kund
surrounded by mountains. The Godavari River flows underground of this
cave, but no one knows where they disappear after entering the cave. Near
to this is a havan bedi, where Sita used to perform havan (fire ritual)
after taking bath. Believed that, the havan bedi was built by Sita herself.
Local priests come here come here every morning and evening to recite
Ramayana. There is a stone nearby bear the footprints of Sita.
Sphatik Shila
Beyond Janaki Kund, there is a densely forested area along the banks of
the Mandakini. Known as Sphatik Shila, here also bears Lord Rama's footprints.
To see this, one have to trek up on to a large rock. It is also believed
that, here Sita was pecked at by Jayant (the son of Lord Indra), in the
form of a crow.
Param Kutir
Said to be the first hut made by Lakshma for his brother Rama and Sita.
It has been reconstructed as a temple and many devotees come here for
worship.
Bharat Mandir
Situated on the backdrop of Kamdagiri Hills, here, Lord Rama’s younger
brother, Bharat, stayed when he had come to Chitrakoot.
Hanuman Dhara
Situated 5 km away from Ram Ghat, lies a shrine devoted to Hanuman. One
have to climb 650 steps to reach this place. It is believed that Hanuman,
after setting fire in Lanka, requested Ram to help douse the fire inside
his body. Then Ram shot an arrow and a stream flow from the mountain.
Since then, it is known to be as Hanuman Dhara.
Sita Rasoi
It is located just above Hanuman Dhara. It is a small room where Sita
believed to cook food here.
Gupt Godavari
Situated 19 kms away south of Ram Ghat, is Gupt Godavari. It consists
of two natural caves and one of these caves is perpetually fed by a small
stream of water. At the entrance, there is a carved sculpture of the Trinity
of Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva.
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