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Chitrakoot

Chitrakoot is a town and a nagar panchayat in Satna district in the state

of Madhya Pradesh, India. It is a town of religious, cultural, histoical and

archaeological importance, situated in the Bundelkhand region. It borders

the Chitrakoot district inUttar Pradesh, whose headquarters Chitrakoot Dham

(Karwi) is located nearby. The town lies in the historical Chiktrakoot region,

which is divided between the present-day Indian states of Madhya Pradesh and

Uttar Pradesh. It is known for a number of temples and sites mentioned

in Hindu scriptures. 

Many people gather here on each Amavasya. Somwati

Amavasyas, Deepawali,Sharad-Poornima, Makar 

Sankranti and Ramanavami are special occasions for such gatherings and

celebrations. It attracts crowds throughout the year including above occasions

and for Free Eye Hospital Camps. Noted 'Ayurvedic' and 'Yoga' centres like

'Arogyadham' are located in Chitrakoot.

Geography

Chitrakoot means the 'Hill of many wonders'. Chitrakoot falls in the

northern Vindhya range of mountains spread over the states ofUttar 

Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh. The Chitrakuta region is included in the District

Chitrakuta of Uttar Pradesh and the District Satna of Madhya Pradesh.

Chitrakoot district in Uttar Pradesh was created on 4 September 1998.[1] 

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Chitrakoot Parvat Mala includes Kamad Giri, Hanumaan Dhara, Janki Kund,

Lakshman pahari, and Devangana famous Religious mountains.

History

Chitrakuta’s spiritual legacy stretches back to legendary ages: It was in these

deep forests that Rama,Sita and his brother Lakshmana spent eleven and half 

years of their fourteen years of exile; the great sage Atri, Sati

Anusuya, Dattatreya, Maharshi Markandeya, Sarbhanga, Sutikshna and various

other sages, seers, devotees and thinkers meditated; and here the principal trinity

of the Hindu pantheon,Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva, took their incarnations.[2] 

It is said that all the gods and goddesses came to Chitrakuta when Rama

 performed the Shraddhaceremony of his father to partake of the  shuddhi (i.e. a

feast given to all the relatives and friends on the thirteenth day of the a death in

the family). The first known mention of the place is in the Valmiki Ramayana, 

which is believed to be the first ever Mahakavya composed by the first ever 

 poet. As Valmiki is said to be contemporaneous with (or even earlier than)

Rama and is believed to have composed the Ramayana before the birth of 

Rama, the antiquity of its fame can well be gauged.

Valmiki speaks of Chitrakuta as an eminently holy place inhabited by the great

sages, abounding in monkeys, bears and various other kinds of fauna and flora.

Both the sages Bharadwaja and Valmiki speak of Chitrakuta in glowing terms

and advise Rama to make it his abode during the period of his exile. Lord Rama

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himself admits this bewitching impact of this place. In the 'Ramopakhyana' and

descriptions of teerthas at various places in the Mahabharata, Chitrakuta finds a

favoured place. In 'Adhyatma Ramayana' and 'Brihat Ramayana' testify to the

throbbing spiritually and natural beauty of Chitrakuta.

Various Sanskrit and Hindi poets also have paid similar tributes to Chitrakuta.

Mahakavi Kalidas has described this place beautifully in his epic 'Raghuvansha'.

He was so much impressed with its charms that he made Chitrakuta (which he

calls Ramgiri because of its time-honoured associations with lord Rama) the

 place of exile of his yaksha in Meghdoot. 

Tulsidas, the saint-poet of Hindi has spoken very reverently of this place in all

his major works-Ramcharit Manas, Kavitawali, Dohawali and Vinaya Patrika. 

The last-mentioned work contains many verses which show a deep personal

 bond between Tulsidas and Chitrakuta. He spent quite some part of his life here

worshipping Rama and craving his darshan. It was here that he had what he

must have considered the crowning moment of his achievements — i.e. the

darshan of his beloved deity Lord Ram at the intercession of Hanumanji. His

eminent friend, the noted Hindi poet Rahim (i.e. Abdur Rahim Khankhana, the

soldier-statesmen-saint-scholar-poet who was among the Nav-Ratnas of Akbar) 

also spent some time here, when he had fallen from favour with Akbar's son

EmperorJahangir .[3] 

Rama left Chitrakuta

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When Bharata was asked by his ministers to take his seat upon the throne

of Ayodhya, he refused and came to Chitrakuta to meet Lord Rama. Here at

 place called Bharat Milap, Bharata met Lord Rama and requested him to return

to Ayodhya and rule; but Lord Rama would not. Then Bharata returned to

Ayodhya and installed the sandals on the throne, and, living in retirement,

carried on the government as their minister. Now Lord Rama decided for two

reasons to leave Chitrakuta: first, inasmuch as hosts of rakshasas, out of hatred

of him, annoyed the hermits of that place; and, secondly, because the host of 

men from Ayodhya had tampled and defiled the place; and, moreover, it

reminded him too sharply of brother's grief and the citizens' and queen-mothers'.

He went, therefore, with Sita and Lakshmana toward Dandaka forest.[4] 

[edit]Demographics

As of 2001 India census,[5]

 Chitrakoot had a population of 22,294. Males

constitute 57% of the population and females 43%. Chitrakoot has an average

literacy rate of 50%, lower than the national average of 59.5%; with male

literacy of 63% and female literacy of 34%. 18% of the population is under 6

years of age.

[edit]Places of tourist importance

[edit]Ramghat

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The ghats that line the Mandakini river are called Ramghat. Here, amidst the

chanting hymns and the sweet fragrance of incense, holy men in saffron sit in

silent meditation or offer the solace of their wisdom to the countless pilgrims

who converge here. The eveningarti here witnesses a deep and abiding faith in

the sanctity of Chitrakuta. During the exile period Rama, Lakshmana and Sita

took bath here and believed to have appeared before the poet Tulsidas. Tulsidas

has expressed that historical and religious incidence in the following metre

in Hindi .

[edit]Kamadgiri

Kamadgiri, the original Chitrakuta, 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

today as the holy embodiment of Rama. Lord Rama is also known as

Kamadnathji which literally means fulfiller of all wishes.'Contact: 

[edit]Bharat Milap

Places Related to Ramayana, showing Chitrakuta in Rama's journey from

Ayodhya to Lanka. 

Bharat Milap temple is located here, marking the spot where Bharata is said to

have met Rama to persuad him to return to the throne of Ayodhya. It is said that

the meeting of four brother was so emotional that even the rocks and mountains

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of chitrakut melted . Foot prints of Lord Rama and his brothers were imprinted

on these rocks and are still present today and seen in Bharat Milap Mandir.

[edit]Janaki Kund

Janaki Kund is situated upstream of the Ramghat where it is believed that Sita

 bathed in the crystal clear waters of Mandakini river during the years of her 

exile with Rama.

[edit]Sati Anusuya ashrama

Sati Anusuya ashrama is located further upstream, 16 km from the town, set

amidst thick forests that round to the melody of birdsong all day. It was here

that Atri muni, his wifeAnusuya and their three sons (who were the three

incarnations of Brahma, Vishnu andMahesh), lived and are said to have

meditated.

As per description of Valmiki at one time there was no rain in Chitrakuta for ten

years. There was a severe famine and nothing was left to eat or drink for 

animals and birds. Sati Anusuya performed hard and intensive austerities and

got the river Mandakini down on earth. This led to the greenery and forests to

grow which removed the sufferings of all sages and the animals.[6]

 

Sati Anusuya ashrama at present is a very peaceful place where various streams

from the hills converge and form the Mandakini River. It is said that Rama

along with Sita had visited this place to meet Maharishi Atri and Sati Anusuya.

It is here Sati Anusuya explained to Sita the grandeur and importance of   satitva. 

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The dense forests of Dandaka start from this place. It was ruled by Ravana. 

Ravana had appointed strong rakshasas like Khara and Viradha as its rulers. The

 place was infected by the terror of rakshasas.[7]

 

[edit]Sphatic Shila

A few kilometres beyond Janaki Kund is another densely forested area on the

 banks of the Mandakini. One can climb up to the boulder, which bears the

Rama's footprint and Sita. It is said that Lord Rama with his own hands did

Shringar of his wife Sita and where Sita was pecked at by Jayant in the form of 

crlow.

[edit]Gupt-Godavari

Gupt-Godavari is situated at a distance of 18 km from town. Here is a pair of 

caves, one high and wide with an entrance through which one can barely pass,

and the other long and narrow with stream of water running along its base. It is

 believed that Rama and Lakshmana held court in latter cave, which has two

natural throne-like rocks.

[edit]Pampapur

It is situated in the valley of Devangana. Here we find sacred caves. Sacred

caves related to Lord Rama.

[edit]Hanuman Dhara

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Located on a rock-face several hundred feet up a steep hillside is a spring, said

to have been created by Rama to assuage Hanumanwhen the latter returned after 

setting Lanka afire. A couple of temples commemorate this spot, which offers a

 panoramic view of Chitrakuta.

[edit]Bharat Koop

Bharat Koop is where Bharata stored holy water collected from all the places of 

 pilgrimage in India. It is small, isolated spot a few kilometres from the town.

PLACE OF INTEREST

Kamadgiri

A forested hill of prime religious significance, this is believed to be the

original Chitrakoot. The Bharat Milap Temple is located here. Pilgrims

perform a ritual circumambulation of the hill to seek blessings.

Kamadgiri is the main holy place of Chitrakoot. The sanskrit word

'Kamadgiri' means the mountain which fulfills all the desires. The place is

believed to have been the abode of Lord Ram, Sita and Laxman during their

exile. Lord Kamtanath, another of His names, is the principal deity not only

of Kamadgiri but of the whole of Chitrakoot. The religious-minded believe

that all the holy places (i.e. teerthas) are in the Parikrama or its pilgrimage-

path. The pilgrimage path around this hill is about 5 Km. long and was built

by Pratap Kunwari ,the Queen of the Bundela King Maharaja Chhatrasal in

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1725. There are a large number of temples in the Parikrama Path. Except

during the summers, the hill remains green throughout the year and appears

like a bow seen from any place in Chitrakoot.

Kamadgiri is the main holy place of Chitrakoot. The sanskrit word

'Kamadgiri' means the mountain which fulfills all the desires. The place is

believed to have been the abode of Lord Ram, Sita and Laxman during their

exile. Lord Kamtanath, another of His names, is the principal deity not only

of Kamadgiri but of the whole of Chitrakoot. The religious-minded believe

that all the holy places (i.e. teerthas) are in the Parikrama or its pilgrimage-

path. The pilgrimage path around this hill is about 5 Km. long and was built

by Pratap Kunwari ,the Queen of the Bundela King Maharaja Chhatrasal in

1725. There are a large number of temples in the Parikrama Path. Except

during the summers, the hill remains green throughout the year and appears

like a bow seen from any place in Chitrakoot.

Holi Temple of Bhagwan Kamtanathji is situated at Chitrakoot District of Uttar 

Pradesh in India.

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Panchmukhi Mahadev Temple

 This Shiva temple is located in the Welleslyganj locality of Mirzapur city,

U.P., at a distance of about 3 km from Railway Station at Bariya ghat and can

easily be accessed from any part of the city by cycle rickshaw.

 The temple has been built by a Nepali trader. It has been a prominent cultural

seat in the city. A five faced Shivling is installed in the Garbh Grih of the

temple. Shivratri and Shravan month are celebrated here.

Maihar temple (Maihar)

India / Madhya Pradesh / Maihar

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There is a mythological story that explains the origin of Maihar. In later Hindu

tales, Daksha is said to be a Prajapati or one of the Brahma's sons. One of his

daughters (often said to be the youngest) was Shakti or Dakshayani, who had

always wished to marry Shiva. Daksha forbade it, but she disobeyed him and

did so anyway, finding in Shiva a doting and loving husband. Daksha disliked

Shiva intensely, calling him a dirty, roaming ascetic and reviling the great yogi's

cohort of goblins and ghouls. From then on, he distanced himself from his

daughter, Dakshayani/Shakti, and his son-in-law, Shiva. This enmity culminated

in a great sacrifice he had been hosting, one to which he invited all and sundry,

family and allies, gods and rishis, courtiers and subjects. However, on seeing

the shameless insult to her husband in his absence, and the repeated slights King

Daksha and his courtiers railed at Shiva, she committed suicide in grief for her 

 beloved. Hearing the news, Shiva's attendants rushed inside the ceremony hall

and started attacking all the guests present there, however, the demons invoked

 by Bhrigu defeated Shivas attendants and they retreated back to his abode. Upon

hearing the news of his beloved wife's death, Shiva was infuriated that Daksha

could so callously cause the harm of his (Daksha's) own daughter in so ignoble

a manner. Shiva grabbed a lock of his matted hair and dashed it to the ground.

From the two pieces rose the ferocious Virabhadra and the terrible Mahakali.

Upon Shiva's orders they stormed the ceremony and killed Daksha as well as

many of the guests. Terrified and with remorse the others propitiated Lord Shiva

and begged his mercy to restore Daksha's life and to allow the sacrifice to be

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completed. Shiva, the all-merciful One, restored Daksha's life, with the head of 

a goat. Traces of something still more ancient are to be seen in the next act of 

this sacred drama, when Shiva, drunk with sorrow, strides about the earth, all

destroying, bearing the form of dead Sati on his back. Then Vishnu, to save

mankind, comes up behind Shiva and, hurling his discus time after time, cuts

the body of Sati to pieces till the great god , conscious that the weight is gone,

retires alone to Kailash to lose himself once more in his eternal meditation.

But the body of sati has been hewn into fifty-two dices, and wherever a

fragment touches earth a shrine of mother-worship is Shakti Peethas

established. [1]I t is said that when Shiva was carrying the body of dead

mother goddess (Mai in Hindi) Sati, her necklace(har in Hindi) fell at this

place and hence the name Maihar (Maihar = Mai+Har, meaning the

necklace of mother) Maihar's history can be traced since the Paleolithic Age.

 The town was formerly the capital of the princely state of Maihar. The state

was founded in 1778 by Rajputs of the Kachwaha clan, who were granted

land by the ruler of the nearby state of Orchha. The state became a princely

state of British India in the early 19th century, and was administered as part

of Bundelkhand Agency in the Central India Agency. In 1871 the eastern

states of Bundelkhand Agency, including Maihar, were separated to form the

new agency of Bagelkhand in Central India. In 1933 Maihar, along with ten

other states in western Bagelkhand, were transferred back to the

Bundelkhand Agency. The state had an area of 407 square miles, and a

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population of 63,702 in 1901. The state, which was watered by the Tons River,

consists mainly of alluvial soil covering sandstone, and is fertile except in the

hilly district of the south. A large area was under forest, the produce of which

provided a small export trade. The title of the ruler was maharaja. The state

suffered severely from famine in 1896 – 1897. Maihar became a station on the

East Indian Railway (now the West Central Railway) line between Satna and

 J abalpur, 97 miles north of J abalpur. Extensive ruins of shrines and other

buildings surround the town.Sharda Devi Temple 

 The Sharda Devi Temple at Maihar

Apart from above there is a very famous temple by the name of Sharda Devi

temple situated on the top of the a Trikuta hill around 5 km from the heart of 

the town. This temple is known for the 1063 steps to the top. Millions of 

devotees throng the temple all round the year. The introduction of Ropeway

system from September 2009 has been a great boon to the pilgrims

(particularly the old and the handicapped) to fulfill their wish to have the

audience of Mother Goddess Sharda.

There is one ancient inscription near the feet of stone sculpture of Sharda Devi

situated in Sharda Devi temple. There is another statue of Lord Narsingh along

with Sharda Devi. These statues were installed by Nupula Deva on Shake 424

chaitra krishna paksha 14 Tuesday, vikram samvat 559 i.e. 502 AD. This stone

inscription Sharda Devi in four lines is of size 15" by 3.5" in Devanagari script.

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Another stone inscription at the temple is of size 34" by 31" inscribed by a

shaiva saint Shamba who had knowledge of Buddhism and Jainism also. This

inscription bears a scene of Nāgadeva and reveals that it was about Damodara,

son of Saraswati, was considered the Vyasa of Kaliyuga. And that there

 prevailed system of goat sacrifice at that time during worship.

Local tradition reveals that the warriors Alha and Udal, who had war with

Prithvi Raj Chauhan, are associated with this place. Both the brothers were very

strong followers of Sharda Devi. It is said that Alha penanced for 12 years and

got the amaratva with the blessings of Sharda Devi. Alha and Udal are said to

 be the first to visit the goddess in this remote forest. Alha used to call the

mother goddess by the name 'Sharda Mai' and henceforth she became popular as

'Mata Sharda Mai'. One can see down hill behind the temple, the pond known as

'Alha Pond'. Recently this pond and the surrounding areas has been cleaned /

rennovated for the benefit of pilgrims. At a distance of 2 km from this pond is

situated the akhara of Alha and Udal where they did practice of kusti.

Sphatik Shila/ This picturesque spot is marked by two immense rocks. It is

 believed to be the place where Lord Rama and Sita feasted their eyes on the

 beauty of Chitrakoot.

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A landmark destination in the holy pilgrim centre of Chitrakoot is the Sphatik

Shila. As the literal meaning of this Sanskrit word suggests, Sphatik a reddish

crystal like rock where lord ram and his beloved wife used to sit and admire

the scenic ambiance of the surroundings. Nearby boulder houses a footprint,

which is believed to be that of the lord and paying a visit to Sphatik Shila is an

inevitable part in the Chitrakoot Pilgrimage.

 This pictorial location on the left banks of Mandkini River holds a funny but

lovable story about the divine concern that Ram has got towards Sita. It says

that Ram had taken the eye of J ayant who had pecked the feet of Sita devi

while they were relaxing here at Sphatic Shila.

One of the picturesque locations in Chitrakoot, Sphatic Shila reveals the

pristine and tranquil ambiance of a dense but lovely forest. Placid waters of 

the Mandakini river houses lots of fishes whose playful trick provides an

alluring past time. The place is one of the most peaceful and scenic locations

in Chitrakoot where you can feel the fresh aroma of an unspoiled nature.

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Hanuman Dhara

Located on a steep hillside, it is approachable by a flight of 360 steps. Here,

the waters of a natural spring cascade over an image of Lord Hanuman.

 The Lakshman Pahari or Lakshman Hill located on the Parikrama Path of 

Kamadgiri Mountain half way from the Pramukh Dwar is the hillock where

Lakshman; the younger brother of Lord Ram spent most of his time when

retired from the services of his elder brother. He used to guard the Kamadgiri

Mountain when Lord Ram and Sita used to rest. There is a temple after

Lakshman and a pillar called Lakshman. Pilgrims embrace this pillar as if 

they were embracing Lakshmana himself .

I didn't had much time and to leave as soon as possible , So I bowed down

from here itself as most of the pilgrims

Sita Rasoi

The Sita Rasoi at Chitrakoot is situated about 100 feet from the Hanuman

Dhara. Her kitchen tirtha is also known as Pramadgni Asrama. Shaded by

several trees, the place where Sita is said to have cooked kandmools (root

vegetables) is very beautiful and peaceful.

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The cylindrical stone shrine sits atop the hill, near another local goddess temple,

and adjacent to the Valmiki Asrama. The tirtha name, 'Sita Rasoi', is written on

a rock outcropping, with a white arrow pointing towards the kitchen.

Ram Ghat

On the banks of the River Mandakini, and centre of ritual activity, this ghat is

the most frequented in Chitrakoot. The "Aarti" performed in the evening is

 particularly beautiful.

Janki Kund

An unusual cave over the Mandakini. Said to be the place where Sita bathed.

ABOUT THE CITY

Celebrated in ballads and the scriptures for its natural beauty and closely

associated with the epic Ramayan, Chitrakoot or "the hill of many wonders" is a

hallowed centre of pilgrimage. It is believed to be the place where Lord Rama

and Sita spent their 14 years of exile and where the Sage Atri and Sati Anasuya

meditated. The holy town is set in sylvan surroundings on the banks of the River 

Mandakini, also known as the Payaswaini river. The riverside is lined with

ghats and the town dotted with temples dedicated to several deities of the Hindu

 pantheon.

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• Area: 38.2 sq. km.

• Population: 8,00,592 (2001 census)

• Altitude: 207 mtrs. above sea level.

• Season: J uly-March

• Clothing (Summer): Light Cottons (Winter) :Woolens

• Language: Hindi, Bundeli, English

• Local Transport : Cycle Rickshaw during fairs and festivals, taxis also

ply between Chitrakoot, Rajapur and Karvi.

• STD Code : 05198 Half of Chitrakoot lies in U.P. and the other half in

M.P. To dial for U.P. Chitrakoot 765 has to be added to the Banda Code 0519.

 To dial for M.P. Chitrakoot 865 has to be added instead. STD Code for U.P.

region is 05198 and within border of M.P. 07670.

CHITRAKOOT EXCURSIONS

Chachai and Keoti Falls: Situated 46 km from Rewa on the banks of the river 

Bihad, Chachai Falls are a beautiful spectacle of water falling in torrents from a

height of 130 mts. Nearby, the Keoti and Bahuti Falls are also worth a visit.

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Maihar:40 km from Satna, Maihar is famous for its Sharda Devi Temple built

on a hilltop. It is an important centre for Indian classical Music.

Govindgarh: Situated amidst sylvan surroundings, Govindgarh is 19 km from

Rewa, the capital of the old Vindhya State, on National Highway 7. it is famous

for its scenic beauty, mangoes and the White Tigers. The Govindgarh Palace on

the banks of a huge lake houses the personal museum of the Maharajah of 

Rewa. The first White Tiger, \Mohan, captured in 1951 in the nearby jungles,

was kept in this palace till his death.

Mara Caves: These caves are situated in the Singhrauli tehsil of Sidhi district.

The ancient caves stand in the middle of the jungle about 22 km from

Singhrauli. For sheer majestic beauty, they can be compared with the caves of 

Ajanta and Ellora.

Sohagpur: Only 3 km from Shahdol, Sohagpur in the former State of Rewa has

a beautiful Hayahaya temple dedicated to Shiva as Virateswara that bears close

resemblance to the Khajuraho temples. It has a square sanctum, a vestibule and

a large enclosed hall, in front of which originally was a beautiful pyramidal

roof.

PANNA

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Explore :

Dynamic dry deciduous forest undergoes dramatic change from lush green in

monsoon to dry grey in summer. Relics of Gondwana period (rule of the tribal

 people of Central India) are scattered all over the Reserve. Besides the wildlife

watchers (around 12000 annually), Panna gets visitors (around 20000 annually)

who exclusively visit the famous Pandav Fall.

BANDHAVGARH

Explore :

The original home of all the white tigers alive, today, Bandhavgarh was the

hunting preserve of the Maharajas of Rewa: their old fort still dominates a hill

rising out of the forest. These have been found in the old state of Rewa for many

years. The last known was captured by Maharajah Martand Singh in 1951. This

White Tiger, Mohan, is now stuffed and on display in the palace of the

Maharajas of Rewa.

acts / Did you know?

Prior to becoming a National park, the forest around Bandhavgarh had long

 been maintained as a Shikargah, or game preserve, of the Maharajahs of Rewa.

Hunting was carried out by the Maharajahs and their guests - otherwise the

wildlife was relatively well-protected. It was considered a good omen for a

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Maharajah of Rewa to shoot 109 Tigers. His highness Maharajah Venkat

Raman Singh shot 111 Tigers by 1914.

Covering 448 sq. km., Bandhavgarh is situated in Shahdol district among the

outlying hills of the Vindhya range. At the centre of the park is Bandhavgarh

hill, rising 811 mt above MSL. Surrounding it are a large number of smaller 

hills separated by gently sloping valleys. These valleys end in small, swampy

meadows, locally known as 'Bohera'. The lowest point in the park is at Tala

(440 mt above MSL). The vegetation is chiefly of Sal forest in the valleys and

on the lower slopes, gradually changing to mixed deciduous forest on the hills

and in the hotter, drier areas of the park in the south and west. Bamboo is found

throughout.

THE FORT :

 No records remain to show when Bandhavgarh Fort was constructed. It is

thought, however, to be some 2,000 years old, and there are references to it in

the ancient books, the Narad-Panch Ratra and the Siva Purana. Various

dynasties have ruled this fort: for example, the Maghas from the 1st century

AD, the Vakatakas from the 3rd century; the Sengars from the 5th century and

the Kalchuris from the 10th century. In the 13th century AD, the Baghels took 

over, ruling from Bandhavgarh until 1617, when Maharajah Vikramaditya

Singh moved his capital to Rewa. The last inhabitants deserted the fort in 1935.

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THE FLORA & FAUNA :

The forest of Bandhavgarh can be classified as moist deciduous, and the

 National Park holds all those animal species which are typical of this habitat in

Central India. Certain areas of the park (particularly the south and the west) are

drier in character, and hold such species as the Nilgai and the Chinkara.

Sal forest occurs throughout the valleys, giving way to mixed forest which

occurs where the soil is of relatively poor quality on the upper hill slopes, on

rocky outcrops and in the South and West. Grassy meadow patches occur in the

valley and along the nalas.

KHAJURAHO

Explore :

In the temple architecture of India, the Khajuraho complex remains unique. One

thousand years ago, under the generous and artistic patronage of the Chandela

Rajput kings of Central India, 85 temples, magnificent in form and richly

carved, came up on one site, near the village of Khajuraho. The amazingly short

span of 100 years, from 950 AD - 1050 AD, saw the completion of all the

temples, in an inspired burst of creativity. Today, of the original 85, only 22

have survived the ravages of time; these remain as a collective paean to life, to

 joy and to creativity; to the ultimate fusion of man with his creator. Why did the

Chandelas choose Khajuraho or Khajirvahila - garden of dates, as it was known

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then - as the site for their stupendous creations? Even in those days it was no

more than a small village. It is possible given the eclectic patronage of the

Chandelas and the wide variety of beliefs represented in the temples, that they

had the concept of forming a seat of religion and learning at Khajuraho. It is

 possible that the Chandelas were also believers in the powers of Tantrism; the

cult which believes that the gratification of earthly desires is a step closer to the

attainment of the infinite. It is certain however, that the temples represent the

expression of a highly matured civilization. Yet another theory is that the erotica

of Khajuraho, and indeed of other temples, had a specific purpose. In those days

when boys lived in hermitages, following the Hindu law of being

"brahmacharis" until they attained manhood, the only way they could prepare

themselves for the worldly role of 'householder' was through the study of these

sculptures and the earthly passions they depicted.

Facts / Did you know?

The creators of Khajuraho claimed descent from the moon. The legend that

describes the origin of this great dynasty is a fascinating one: Hemavati, the

 beautiful young daughter of a Brahmin priest was seduced by the moon god

while bathing in the Rati one evening. The child born of this union between a

mortal and a god was a son, Chandravarman. Harassed by society, the unwed

mother sought refuge in the dense forest of Central India where she was both

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mother and guru to her young son. The boy grew up to found the great Chandela

dynasty. When he was established as a ruler, he had a dream-visitation from his

mother, who implored him to build temples that would reveal human passions,

and in doing so bring about a realization of the emptiness of human desire.

Chandravarman began the construction of the first of the temples, successive

rulers added to the fast growing complex.

A devout centre, which assigns much mythological relevance to its holy name

Chitrakoot in the northern ranges of the majestic Vindhyans, is a town with

great historical and archaeological importance. It is a place where the ritualistic

 past is elegantly cosseted in its flamboyant temples and shrines.

Chitrakoot stands for a hill of many wonders, a name well suited to its mythical

 past and to the magnificent present. Indeed this hilly terrain in the northern

Vindhya ranges is a place of miraculous vistas where one can have all the

glitters of religious as well as delightful experiences. The serene and scenic

woods, and the lofty peaks of this lovely land provide idyllic surroundings to

the visitors who find pleasure in a soothing and tranquil atmosphere.

A celebrated place of great mythological relevance, Chitrakoot replicates the

essence of Hindu way of life. The first ever rendering of Chitrakoot can be

found in the Valmiki Ramayana, wherein the poet Valmiki speaks of an

exceedingly divine environ occupied by the saintly people. Various other texts

and scriptures of bygone eras had narrated the abounding spirituality and

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glaringness of this devout location in a bewitching manner. Spiritual journey of 

Chitrakoot begins in the Tretayug when Lord Ram along with Sita and

Lakshman selected this place as their dwelling place during their exile.

Chitrakoot was the center stage of all their activities for a long and the story of 

Ramayana takes dramatic turns at Chitrakoot.

Fairs and festivals in Chitrakoot have a religious face and this place is all set to

 praise the grace of lord Ram through its various festivals. Most important

celebration in this hilly terrain is the National Ramayana fair and along with this

all festivals in connection with this 7th incarnation of Vishnu makes this sleepy

locale a splendid place of festivities.

Chitrakoot, is not just a place of astounded spirituality and devoutness, but it is

one of the prettiest gifts on earth. The deep woods, gleaming streams, pretty

rivers, indeed this place is ornamented with a blissful nature. A unique spiritual

experience in a soft and serene atmosphere, that’s what Chitrakoot offers to the

devotees. Chitrakoot Attractions

(Chitrakoot is also spelled as Chitrakut / Chitrakot)

Travel Guide Attractions Map How to reach Weather Hotels

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History & Culture (2)

Gupt Godavari Caves

 Nestled in the footsteps of a majestic hillock, Gupt Godavari presents a

stream that goes beneath a pair of caves, which is believed to be the court of Sri

Ram and his brother Lakshman. The caves carries two throne like rock 

structures that testifies the said belief. Out of the two caves, one is h... More

Sphatik Shila

A landmark destination in the holy pilgrim centre of Chitrakoot is the

Sphatik Shila. As the literal meaning of this Sanskrit word suggests, Sphatik a

reddish crystal like rock where lord ram and his beloved wife used to sit and

admire the scenic ambiance of the surroundings. Nearby boulder houses a...

More

 Nature (2)

Ganesh Bagh

Situated in the suburbs of Karwi town near Siddhapur, Ganesh Bagh,

 boast of a bygone splendor. In the early part of 19th century this garden was the

hot spot of the then Peshwa Shri. Peshwa King Vinayak Rao. He constructed

this regal garden as a summer retreat for his pleasure sporting activities.

Janaki Kund

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A lovely stretch of water where it is believed that Sita used to take her 

 bath during her exile at Chitrakoot, Janaki kund poses extreme serenity and

tranquility to the visitor. People visiting Chitrakoot seldom spare the chance to

take a dip in Janaki Kund since they strongly believe that these wat

Bharat Milap Mandir 

A holy shrine on the backdrop of Kamdagiri Hills is believed to be the

 place where Bharatha met Lord Ram and persuaded the latter to assume the

throne of Ayodhya. Now this place houses an array of lovely temples and

considered as one of the most venerated sites in Chitrakoot. Devotees undertake

circ... More

Hanuman Dhara Temple

One among the landmark sites in Chitrakoot, Hanuman Dhara provides

the awe inspiring scenery of a cascade that falls from the nearby mountains.

Though the uphill path is little bit tiresome, the pictorial beauty of the gleaming

waterfall take away all your hardships and you will be enthralled by the... More

Kamadgiri Temple

Literal meaning of the Sanskrit word Kamadgiri is wish fulfilling peak.

This happens to be the most sought after places in Chitrakoot since it is believed

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that it was here that Ram, Sita and Lakshman spent most of their time during

their exile. Kamadgiri is the original Chitrakoot and it houses a va... More

Kamtaji Temple

Lord Kamat is another name of Ram, which means the fulfiller of all the

wishes. This temple dedicated to Ram is located in the lovely ambiance of a

forested hill by name Kamatgiri. Kamatji temple bears close association with

Lord Ram, Sita and Lakshman Legends say that it was here that the trio had ...

More

Ram Ghat

As per Hindu Mythology Ram and Sita along with Lakshman had spend

more than 11 years in and around the serene environ of Chitrakoot and amongst

the holy places in the near vicinity Ram Ghat marks predominant place since it

was the place where the lord himself used to take his bath. The devotees make...

More

Sati Anusuya Temple

Located in the serene environ of a thick forest, Sati Anasuya Ashram

 boast of the tale of a loyal wife whose credentials can be seen narrated in the

Ramayana. There are numerous legends about Anasuya the loyal wife of Sri

Maharshi whose loyalty and obedience towards her husband gave her enormous

 pow...

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CHITRAKOOT GETTING THERE:

The nearest airport is at Khajuraho (175 km), connected with Delhi & Agra.

Regular bus services connect Chitrakoot with Jhansi, Mahoba, Chitrakoot

Dham, Harpalpur, Satna and Chhatarpur.

The nearest railhead is at Chitrakootdham (Karwi) (11 km) on the Jhansi-

Manikpur main line.