The first time I heard about Chitrakoot was from my grandmother, who often narrated snippets from the Ramayana to me during bedtime. What caught my attention then was its unique name. I always imagined there must be a mystery attached to Chitrakoot Dham.
“Where is Chitrakoot?” I often asked.
“In the Bundelkhand region…”
“Somewhere between Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh…”
These were some of her standard replies. However, my inquisitiveness didn’t end there. As I grew, I got to know more about Chitrakoot. To begin with, the word ‘Chitrakoot’ means ‘hill of many wonders’ and it was here where Ram, Lakshman and Sita spent the longest time during their exile.
Chitrakoot: The Wonderland
Situated in the northern mountain range of Vindhyas, Chitrakoot Dham is located on the banks of River Mandakini. Brimming with natural beauty, it is home to many serene rivers and streams as well. Some locals believe that Chitrakoot was actually blessed by the gods when Ram was performing the Shraddha ceremony (last rites) of his father here.
Apart from being a religious place, the town has always been an inspiration to many poets and writers for its serenity and spiritual vibe. Did you know that the famous saint and poet, Tulsidas, spent a large part of his life here?
Opt for a boat ride at Ram Ghat, Chitrakoot
Things To Do In Chitrakoot
- Ram Ghat: Soaked in tranquility and reverberating with Hindu chants every day, a holy dip in Ram Ghat is a must-do when in Chitrakoot.
- Gupt Godavari Caves: A short drive from Chitrakoot, this pair of caves has some beautiful intricate carvings inside. Housing two natural thrones dedicated to Ram and Lakshman, a stream of water from a tank (referred as Sitakund) flows through one of the caves.
- Bharat Milap Mandir: As the name suggests, this is where Bharat met Ram and requested him to return to Ayodhya. Located on the backdrop of Kamdagiri Hills, you can do a circumambulation (parikrama) of this hill which is believed to liberate people from their sins.
One of the sacred temples in Chitrakoot
Getting There
Air: Approximately 175 kilometres away, the nearest airport to Chitrakoot Dham is the Khajuraho Airport which is well-connected to Delhi, Agra and Varanasi.
Rail: Chitarkoot Dham is the closest railhead from the city and is well-linked to many Indian cities. Some of the popular trains that run here are Bundelkhand Express, Mahakoshal Express and Chitrakoot Express.
Bus/Road: Many regular bus services operate from cities like Allahabad, Jhansi, Lucknow, Varanasi and Kanpur.
And now that I know from where to start, I’m off to a long-waited holiday to this mystical land to discover the place and the brief yet captivating references I’ve heard of in my childhood.