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Chitrakoot
Chitrakoot, 'the hill of many wonders', nestles peacefully in the
northern spurs of the Vindhyas. 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.
This large sprawling town stands on the banks of the Mandakini
River about 132 km from Khajuraho and it was here that Brahma, Vishnu
and Siva are believed to have been born and taken on their incarnations.
Bathing Ghats line the Mandakini River. Both Madhya Pradesh Tourism
and Uttar Pradesh Tourism have Tourist Bungalows here.
Excursion
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. It is in this idyllic setting that Sita used to bathe
during the years when she and Rama were exiled. Her footprints can
still be seen here. Many people seem to follow her example and come
to bathe in these especially blessed waters. The monkeys that live
here perform acrobatic somersaults from the trees into the river.
Easily accessible, you can get there by road or by boat from Ramghat.
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. There are large fishes in the river which are
easily visible in the water. It also has a few temples.
Hanuman
Dhara
Located on a rock face several hundred feet up a steep hill side
is a spring, said to have been created by Rama to assuage Hanuman
when the latter returned after setting Lanka afire. 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
The ghats that line the banks of the river Mandakini reveal a constantly
moving and changing kaleidoscope of religious activity. Here, amidst
the chanting of hymns and the sweet fragrance of incense, holy men
in saffron robes sit, in silent meditation or offer the solace of
their wisdom to the countless pilgrims who converge here. 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 it's base
by a chain of temples and is venerated, as the holy embodiment of
Lord Rama. The Bharat Milap temple is located here.
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Fair
& Festival
Ramayan Mela, Chitrakoot Mahotasva, Deepawali Mela, Amavasya Aashadi
Amavasya, Bhadai Amavasya, Mauni Amavasya.
Getting There
By Air
The nearest airport is at Khajuraho ( 175 km ) , connected with
Delhi, Agra and Varanasi.
By Rail
The nearest railhead is at Chitrakoot with Jhansi, Mahoba, Chitrakoot
Dham, Harpalpur, Satna and chhatapur.
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General Information & Accomdation info on Chitrakoot city of
Uttar Pradesh - India
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