19/08/2026
Post 92:"Siya Vaara Ramchandra ki Jai".There are many places in India related to the great epic Ramayana and we all aware of most of the places which are mainly located in present states of Uttar Pradesh,Madhya Pradesh, Chattisgarh, Maharashtra, Karnataka,Kerala and Tamil Nadu.Everyone of us have heard about the Dandakaranya or shortly Dandakvana,which spans through Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh,Chattisgarh, Maharashtra and some small parts of Telangana.Among these states,it is believed that Lord Rama had spent most of the time in Uttar Pradesh.His birthplace,Ayodhya is also located in Uttar Pradesh on the banks of the Sarayu river.Later on,while in exile,Sita Mata was abducted from Panchvati,which is located in present day Nashik district of Maharashtra.Rama met the vanara sena,Sugriva and Hanumana at Kishkindha,located in Karnataka's Koppal district,Ravana killed Jatayu near Kollam district of Keralam and finally,Rama rescued Sita by offering prayers at Rameswaram in Ramanathapuram district of Tamil Nadu.Of all these places,Rama,along with His brother Lakshmana and wife Sita,spent most of their time at a place called Chitrakoot,for almost 11.5 years,and from there,they proceeded towards Dandakaranya and finally settled at Panchvati till the abduction of Sita.In present day, Chitrakoot lies in two states,Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh,where Chitrakoot is a district in Uttar Pradesh and it falls as a town in Satna district of Madhya Pradesh.Lying along the banks of the Mandakini river(a tributary of the Yamuna river),Chitrakoot is known for its various pilgrimage sites and temples from the Ramayana.After leaving Ayodhya,Rama,Sita and Lakshmana arrived at Shringverpur,the kingdom of Nishaadraj Guhaak,a childhood friend of Rama and from Shringverpur,they proceeded towards Chitrakoot and settled there for 11.5 years(Aranya Kanda of Ramayana-which lasts from Rama's leaving of Ayodhya till abduction of Sita).Some famous destinations of Chitrakoot related to Ramayana and from the Indian mythology include:-
1.Ram Ghat-known for its aartis at the Mandakini river in the evening along with the light and sound show,narrating the history and mythology behind Chitrakoot(Timing:7-00 PM to 8-00 PM).Along the banks of the Ram Ghat lies the Mattagajendranath Shiva Mandir,which was worshipped by Lord Rama.
2.Kamadgiri Temple-It is a Shiva Temple lying atop the Kamadgiri hills,amidst the forests,dedicated to Lord Shiva.Kamadgiri refers to "wish fulfilling temple",where the word Kamad is derived from "Kamana"and giri means "hill".
3.Lakshmana Pahari-It is a hilltop near the Kamadgiri hills,from where Lakshmana provided security to Rama and Sita,by watching from the hilltop if any enemy was coming to attack them,while they were at Chitrakoot.
4.Bharat Milap-A place near Lakshmana Pahari where Rama met Bharata at Chitrakoot.Bharat's mother Kaikeyi,with assistance from Manthara, wickedly sent Rama to exile so that Bharat could sit on the throne of Ayodhya after Dasharatha.Coming to know about his mother's evil plan,Bharat decided to go to Chitrakoot to bring back Rama to Ayodhya and Bharat Milap is that place where both Rama and Bharat greeted each other.
5.Hanuman Dhara-It is a waterfall on the Sankarchana hill,a distance away from Kamadgiri hill,created by Lord Rama for Hanumana,to put out the fire from Hanuman's tail,by which Hanuman burnt Lanka while going to meet Sita.
6.Sita Mata Rasoi-The kitchen of Sita where Sita fed fruits to Panchamunis(Five sages)-Atreya,Agastya,Sutikshna,Sarbhang,Valmiki.
7.Gupt Godavari(Godavari river was believed to have been originated here at the beginning,which has originally started flowing from Trimbakeshwara,Nashik.There are two caves at Gupt Godavari,where one is dry and other is wet.Lord Rama is believed to have meditated here.
8.Ram Durbar-It is a place where Lord Rama used to meet the sages living nearby and settle the problems of the local people.
9.Rama-Lakshmana-Sita Kund,Panchmukhi Shiva statue,view of Vindhyachal mountain ranges(which runs from Chitrakoot to Nashik.At Nashik, Vindhyachal merges with Brahmagiri mountains).
10.Sati Anusuya Ashram:It is the hermitage of Sage Atreya and his wife Anusuya and at this very place Chandra,Lord Dattatreya and Sage Durvasa is believed to have been born.Nearby Sati Anusuya Ashram,lies the Sphatik Shila,having the massive footprints of Rama, Lakshman and Sita.
11.Bharat Koop-A well having waters from all the holy rivers of India,brought by Bharata to do Rama's Rajyabhisheka in Chitrakoot as King of Ayodhya,but when Rama refused to return to Ayodhya,Bharat,on the advice of Sage Atreya,put all the holy waters on a well,which is popularly known as Bharat Koop.
These are some of the most notable places to be visited at Chitrakoot,and if any place is left out,please let me know.Jai Shree Ram🕉️🕉️🕉️🕉️!!!
***How to reach Chitrakoot:-
1. By flight-Nearest airport is Prayagraj Airport(101 kms away from Chitrakoot).
2. By train-Nearest railway station is Chitrakoot Dham Railway station(10 kms away)and Prayagraj junction(115 kms away from Chitrakoot).
3. By road-Chitrakoot is 116 kms from Panna National park (Madhya Pradesh),117 kms from Prayagraj,143 kms from Khajuraho(Madhya Pradesh),197 kms from Kanpur,249 kms from Varanasi,295 kms from Jhansi and 232 kms Lucknow(Capital of Uttar Pradesh).