India Festivals Destinations
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Chitrakoot (UP)
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.
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.
Tourist 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. 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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