Things To Do In Chitrakoot

Chitrakoot is one of the most famous pilgrimage centres in India. It is located partly in UP and partly in MP. The Nagar Panchayat is in Satna District of MP while Chitrakoot District is in UP. The town is well known for its large number of temples because of its strong presence in the Ramayana. Devotees and visitors gather in Chitrakoot in large numbers especially during Deepawali, Makar Sankranti and Ramnavami. There are many things to do in Chitrakoot. Some of the major ones are detailed in the paragraphs below. Just find time to visit these places.

Marpha, located 4km from Gupt Godavari is known for its great beauty, its temples and the ruins of Chandel Fort. Marpha is meant to be enjoyed as much for its natural beauty as for its magnificence. Here you will smell the fresh scent of incense and hear songs of serenades sung by holy people clad in saffron. You can visit this place till night falls or the day breaks.

Ganesh Bagh is located 11km on the road that connects Karvi to Devangana. It is a place with a baoli and a beautiful sanctuary as well as the remains of a royal residence. This place was built by Peshwa Vinayak Rao in mid-1800s as his summer retreat. It is also known as the Mini Khajuraho.

Kalinjar Fort, a very ancient fort, is situated in UP in the Banda District. This is among the 8 famous forts built by the Chandelas. Located on Vindhya Range near Khajuraho, a UNESCO World Heritage site, Kalinjar has a height of 1203’. Here you will find images in stone of Lord Shiva and Vishnu besides Shakti and Bhairava, Bhairavi and Ganesha. There are carvings in stone of birds, apsaras, mithuna and animals. There is a bed and pillow of stone that was evidently used by meditating hermits once upon a time. The fort must be visited by those who appreciate old and historic monuments.

Bharat Kup is a small temple with a well nearby. It is located a couple of kilometres away from Bharatpur and 50km from Chitrakoot. It is believed that it was here that Bharat used to store the sacred water from all the places of pilgrimage in India. Bharat had collected the sacred water as he had planned Rama’s crowning ceremony at Chitrakoot itself. When Lord Rama declined, Bharat poured the sacred water into the well on the advice of Maharishi Atri.

Sphatik Shila’s literal translation means crystal rock. A flat boulder, it is believed that Lord Rama and Sita used to sit on this boulder and admire Chitrakoot’s beauty. The Shila has a crystalline finish and according to legend, contains the Lord’s footprints. Located near the Mandakini River this is a must-see destination for all visitors to Chitrakoot. The place is picturesque and tranquil and the area is lush green.

Gupt Godavari, a cavern that is located 19km from Ram Ghat, is, according to legend, the point where the Godavari River emerges only to disappear into another cave located nearby. Again, according to legend, this is where Mayank, the demon, stole the clothes of Sita as she bathed, only to be killed by Laxman. At the entrance of the cave you will see a beautiful sculpture of the Hindu Trinity.

Chitrakoot Falls is located 38km to the west of Jagdalpur on the River Indravati which begins its journey in the Kalahandi region in Odisha. Its height is about 95’ and it is the widest among all the falls in the country. Because of its width it is also known as the Indian Niagara. A beautiful fall, there is a Hindu shrine also nearby which is dedicated to Lord Shiva. The grottos nearby are formed naturally and these are known as Parvati Caves.