Tourism

Small town huge influence: Chitrakoot 

Chitrakoot is a small religious place but it occupies a special place in the heart of the pious. The fact that Lord Ram is said to have chosen this place for his period of vanvaas makes it special for every Hindu and a pilgrimage to this place is cherished for the rest of the life. 

Chitrakoot, 'the hill of many wonders', nestles peacefully in the northern spurs of the Vindhayas. This large sprawling town stands on the banks of the Mandakini River about 132 km from Khajuraho .This loveliest of nature's gifts is also hallowed ground, blessed by the gods and sanctified by the faith of pilgrims. A city with more than legendary significance, it was the abode of Lord Ram and Sita for eleven year when in exile, the place where Sage Atri and Sati Anusuya meditated, the divine spot saw the incarnations of Brahma, Vishnu and Mahesh. This holy city is dotted with innumerable temples and shrines today. 

Attractions

Janaki Kund : Upstream from Ramghat is a serenely beautiful stretch of the Mandakini, a symphony of nature in tones of earth-brown and leaf-green, the intense blue of the river waters finding a paler echo in the canopy of the sky.

Sphatik Shila : Sphatik Shila is a densely forested area on the banks of the Mandakini. One can climb up to the boulder which bears the impression of Lord Rama's footprints. It also has a few temples.

Hanuman Dhara : A couple of temples commemorate this spot which offers a panoramic view of Chitrakoot. There is an open, paved area here in the shade of a massive peepul tree, a lovely halting place after the long climb up.

Ram Ghat : With the very first rays of dawn that gleam upon the river, Ramghat stirs into life as the devout of all ages take the ritual, purifying dip in the waters and invoke the blessings of the gods. The rippling blue green waters of the Mandakini can be traversed by boats, readily available for hire.

Kamadgiri : Kamadgiri, the original Chitrakoot, is a place of prime religious significance. A forested hill, it is skirted all along its base by a chain of temples and is venerated, as the holy embodiment of Lord Rama. The Bharat Milap temple is located here.

Centre of Meditation and Peace -

Chitrakoot’s atmosphere replicates the essence of the Hindu faith. Goswami Tuslidas, a contemporary of the Mughal Emperor Akbar (reigned a.d. 1556 to 1605), is said to have visited Chitrakoot to meditate and seek divine inspiration when he was about to begin Ramcharitamanas, his opus on the life of Rama.

Places around Chitrakoot-

Gupt Godavari, 19 kilometers south of Chitrakoot, is also an important place to visit. There are two caves, on the hillside, one larger than the other. There, a subterranean steam emerges out of one cave and after flowing for a distance fills a pool before disappearing again and hence the name Gupt Godavari. At the entrance to the cave is a beautifully carved sculpture of the Trinity (Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva).

 Kalinjara Fort: 52 kilometers southwest of Chitrakoot, is said to be an equally hallowed place. This fort is mentioned in the Puranas and Mahabharata. By its mere reference in the scriptures and epics, the Fort's antiquity is established. Perhaps the physical immensity of the Fort has remained unchanged. It was in the reign of the Chandela dynasty in the 10th and 11th centuries that the fort finds increasing mention and importance. The main 'royal' entrance to the Fort is on the northeastern face of the Fort.

How to reach-

By Road - Chitrakoot in Madhya Pradesh is 125 km west of Allahabad and Kalinjara Fort is 52 km southwest of Chitrakoot. Blacktop roads connect these places.

By Rail: The nearest railhead is at Chitrakoot with Jhansi, Mahoba, Chitrakoot Dham, Harpalpur, Satna and chhatapur.

By Air - Allahabad is connected by Indian Airlines flights from Delhi, Agra, and Patna.

Where to stay

Chitrakoot: There are two tourist bungalows, one owned by the Uttar Pradesh Tourism and the other by Madhya Pradesh Tourism.

Kalinjara Fort: There is no accommodation available here. This place is fit for a day's excursion from Chitrakoot.