CHITRAKOOT
Main attractions: Gupt-Godavari, Bharat-Koop
Best Season: July-March
Languages: Hindi, Bundeli, English
THE ANCIENT PILGRIMAGE
Situated in Banda district of Uttar Pradesh, on the banks of river
Paisuni (Mandakini), Chitrakoot Dham is one of the most ancient holy
pilgrim places of India. Lying in latitude 25 10’N and longitude 80
53’ E, on the road from Banda to Allahabad,
it is 285 km from Lucknow
and 120 km from Allahabad.
The fourteen years of exile of lord Rama have impressed the human mind
more vitally than other period of his life. Wherever his august feet tread
in the years that he roved the wilderness, the land sprouted a pilgrimage
center. Chitrakoot is one of them. Legend has it that during his fourteen
years exile, lord Rama, along with his consort Sita and brother Lakshman
came to Chitrakoot and in the solitude of its forests came in intimate
contact with sage Atri and Sati Anasuya.
Goswami Tulsidas, the author of epic “Shri Ramcharitmanas”,
spent many years on the soil of Chitrakoot, rendered sacred by the touch
of the Lord’s feet. He composed many of his verses surrounded by
nature, in its fullest splendour. Wrapped in peace and tranquility, broken
only by the flutter of birds and the murmur of gushing streams, Chitrakoot
is a symbol of faith-dotted with myriad temples and filled with the
reverberating sound of bells- truly, an abode of the gods.
PRIME ATTRACTIONS
Religious Places
Anasuya- Atri Ashram:
About
4 kms away from Sphatikshila is the hermitage of sage Atri and Anasuya,
surrounded by dense jungles. The peace and tranquility is occasionally
disturbed by the sound of wild animals. The ashram houses the statues of
Anasuya, Atri, Dattatreya and Durvasa Muni.
Gupt-Godavari:
A natural wonder, the Gupt-Godavari caves are at a distance of 9.66 km,
from Anasuya Atri Ashram. In the heart of a dark cave is a tank, which is
perpetually fed by a small stream of water. This tank which is known as ‘Sitakund’
is not too deep. Gushing out of the cave into two tanks outside, the water
disappears suddenly, creating an aura of mystery.
Bharat Koop:
To attain salvation, the pilgrimage to Chitrakoot is incomplete without a
visit to this hallowed place of worship. It is said that, to crown lord
Rama as the king of Ayodhya, his brother bharat, collected the waters of
all the sacred rivers to anoint him with. On the advice of sage Atri, the
waters were later poured into a deep well popularly known as Bharat Koop.
A temple dedicated to Lord Rama is also found here.
Jankikund:
On the banks of the river Mandakini, bathed in a golden hue is the
Jankikund, where Sita took her ceremonial dip every morning.
Sphatikshila:
Situated around 1.5 miles from Jankikund, on the banks of river Paisuni
is the Sphatikshila, where Ram & Sita used to sit and watch the beauty
of the serene surroundings. It is also said that at this place, Jayant,
son of lord Indra, in the guise of a crow, had attached and pecked Sita.
EXCURSIONS
Hanuman
Dhara:
Approachable by a flight of 360 steps, situated atop a hill is Hanuman
Dhara, which has a big statue of lord Hanuman. A streak of water, gushing
out from the hillock falls into a tank situated in front of the statue.
Kalinjar:
88 km from Chitrakoot lies the invincible fort of Kalinjar. Once desired
by kings & dynasties, it house the Nilkanth Temple, Swargarohan Kund,
Balkhandeshwar Mahadev Temple, Shivasari Ganga & Koti Tirth. Other
interesting spots within the fort area are Sita Sej, Patal Ganga, Pandu
Kund, Budhi-Taal, Bhairon-Ki-Jharia and Mrigdhara.
Allahabad:
Allahabad, at the confluence of the three holiest of Indian rivers, the
Ganga, Yamuna
& the mythical Saraswati, has been the center of Hindu faith and
devotion for centuries. People congregate in hundreds to take a dip in its
sacred waters every day.
Sitapur:
Lying on the left bank of Paisuni about 8 km from Karvi, it is intimately
connected with the sacred hill of Kamtanath, which is 2 km to its
southwest. Pilgrims first bathe in Paisuni, at Sitapur and then move on to
do the ‘parikrama’ of Kamtanath Hill.
Originally known as Jaisinghpur, it was given to Mahant Charan Das by
Aman Singh Raja of Panna, who gave it the new name Sitapur, in honour of
goddess Sita. There are twenty-four ghats and several temples along the
river, which add to the glory of the town.
Rajapur:
42
km from Chitrakoot, this place is believed to be the birthplace of Goswami
Tulsidas. A Tulsi Mandir is situated here.
Marpha:
4 km from Gupt Godavari is Marpha famous for its natural beauty along
with waterfalls, Jal Mohan Sarovar, Sri Balaji Mandir, five-faced statue
of lord Shankar and ruins of a fort, believed to be built by Chandela
rajas.
Ganesh Bagh:
11 km. from Chitrakoot at Ganesh Bagh, on the Karvi Devangana Road, an
exquisitely carved Shiva temple, a seven-storeyed Bawali and remains of a
residential palace, built during the Peshwa rule, popularly known as mini
Khajuraho are well worth a visit.
HOW TO GET THERE
Air:
Nearest airport is at Bamrauli (Allahabad) 135 km.
Rail: Chitrakoot is connected by rail with all major cities-
Delhi ,
Calcutta ,
Jhansi,
Gwalior
, Lucknow ,
Jabalpur, Varanasi, Allahabad.
Nearest railway stations are Karvi (8 km) and Atarra (40 km).
Road: By road, Chitrakoot is 8 km from Karvi and 72 km from Banda.
For tourists, it is advisable to reach Karvi, headquarters of the
sub-division, from where one can go to Sitapur, situated at the foothills
of Kamtanath hill. Buses of both M.P. and U.P. state roadways ply on this
route.
Local Transport:
Jeep, rickshaw, tonga, taxi services available for local sight seeing.
PLACES TO STAY
For accommodation there is a Tourist Bungalow of U.P.
Tourism available at Chitrakoot. Pilgrim visiting this sacred site can
also check in the various Dharamshalas offering resonable accommodation
over here.
TOURIST INFORMATION
Tourist Information Office: U.P. Tourism, Tourist
Office, Near Tourist Bungalow, Chitrakoot.
Restaurants: Tourist Bungalow Restaurant, Jaipuria Bhawan
Restaurant, Annapoorna Restaurant, Chaturvedi Restaurant, Gupta
Restaurant.
NEARBY CITIES
Karvi: 8-km
Banda: 72-km
Rajapur: 42-km
Kalinjar: 88-km
Allahabad:135-km (approx.)
GENERAL INFORMATION
Area: 38.2 sq. km
Population: 37494 (1991 census).
Altitude: 207 m above sea level.
Clothing: Summer: Light Cottons.
Winter:
Woollens.
Main festivals:
Ramayan Mela: Feb-March
Ramnavami: March- April
‘Deepdan’ during Dipawali: October- November.
Know more about this Package !!!
279/A, Masjid Moth, South Extention - II
New Delhi - 110 049 (INDIA)
Tel : +91-11-4164 3999 / 2626 2004
Fax : +91-11-2625 9695
Email : info@indiainfoweb.com
Home | Attractions | Destinations | Hotels | Tour Packages | Travel Agents | Help DeskDisclaimer | Privacy Policy | Old Site | Feedback / Contact Us
Copyright © 2007 India Infoweb. All Rights Reserved.