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Chitrakoot Madhya Pradesh, Chitrakoot Travel Guide, Information on Chitrakoot Yatra

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Vishnu Sites - Chitrakoot - Introduction

Introduction

Image: 
Introduction: 
   
Chitrakoot literally means a mountain endowed with natural beauty. It is situated in the state of Uttar Pradesh, 129 km to the South-west of Allahabad.
    
Chhatrapati Shahuji Maharaj Nagar district was renamed as Chitrakoot in 1998.
    
It is also called mini-Banaras due to a large number of temples and ghats.
    
Kamdagiri Hill was the ancient Chitrakoot where Lord Ram is believed to had spent 11 ½ years out of the 14 years of his exile.
    
There are over 24 temples situated here that have a connection to the descriptions in our prideful epics.
   
Beautiful waterfalls, forests with deer and peacocks, and diverse varieties of plants are a few things that attract a nature lover to this place.
 

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Mythological Beliefs

Mythological Beliefs: 
   
Various texts and beliefs suggest that Lord Ram spent 11 years and 6 months of his exile in Chitrakoot. He performed his father’s shraddh here. On this occasion, his Guru, Vashisht invited all the Gods but forgot to utter the Visarjan (departure) mantra; as a result all the Gods had to stay back here.
    
 According to the descriptions in the Puranas, the well known Sati Anusuya lived here with her husband Atri Rishi. It was she who made the Ganga to appear as Mandakni for her husband’s requirement of water for puja. It is said that Sati Anusuya gave birth to Lord Vishnu as Dattatreya, Shiv as Rishi Durvasa and Brahma as Chandrama (moon).
    
Chitrakoot is said to be a supreme pilgrimage where even the King of pilgrimages, Prayag, needs to come once a year to wash off his sins whereas Chitrakoot does not need to go anywhere.
   
According to Mahabharat, even Yudhishthir and King Neel meditated here.
    
Goswami Tulsidas believed that Kalyug cast an effect on the entire world but Chitrakoot remained unaffected due to Lord Ram’s blessings.
 

Historical Facts

History: 
   
In the sixth century B.C., the entire region was a part of the Vats kingdom and was ruled by King Udayan.
   
The most ancient literary description of Chitrakoot is found in Valmiki’s composition, Ramayan. It is said to be dated in 400 B.C.
   
Even during the Gupt period, the spiritualism and splendour of Chitrakoot was significant. Poet Kalidas has described the beauty of Chitrakoot in his poem, Meghdootam.
   
In the 11th century, the region was under the Chandel rule. Most of the temples and ghats were built during their regime.
   
In the 16th century, Goswami Tulsidas meditated here before composing Ramcharitmanas. It is believed that he was inspired by Lord Hanuman to do so.
   
Abdul Rahim Khan-Khana, who was neglected during the times of Jahangir, stayed here seeking some solitude.
   
Pran Nath, saint and poet of the Pranami sect composed the 2 well known books, Chhota Qayamatnama and Bada Qayamatnama, here.
   
In 1998, a new district by the name of Chitrakoot was formed.
 

Main Places To See

Main Places To See: 
   
Kamdagiri Hills:
 
It is believed to fulfil all the desires of a human being. Situated here are the Kamtanath Temple (with idols of Ram, Laxman and Seeta) and the Bharat-milaap Temple. Kamtaji is believed to be Vishnu’s incarnation.
    
Ramghat:
 
It is the centre of all spiritual activities in Chitrakoot. Boating facilities are available in the Mandakini River. The newly constructed Ram-darshan Temple at the ghat is fairly attractive.
    
Sati Anusuya Temple:
 
This temple is above Janki-kund and 16 km from the Main Bazar. An ashram of Atri and Anusuya was situated here.
    
Gupt Godavari:
 
At 18 km from the city are 2 caves. It is said that in one of them, Lord Ram used to hold discussions with Laxman. It has a 5-faced Shivling. The other cave belonged to Suiya Mata, who was Seeta’s sister.
    
Hanuman-dhaara:
 
Situated at a height, this place has a temple of Panchmukhi (5-faced) Hanuman. The place is inhabited by a large number of monkeys. It is said that the waterfall was created by Lord Ram to provide relief to Hanuman when he returned after setting ablaze Lanka.
 

Main Festivals

Main Festivals: 
   
Rashtriya Ramayan-mela:
 
It was here that Valmiki, the first poet of India, is believed to have written the Ramayan, a composition of 24,000 shlokas. The fair is held to celebrate the occasion.
    
Chitrakoot Ram-leela:
 
The Ram-leela here is the most popular in India after the one from Ramnagar Banaras. It begins on Mahashivratri (usually February) every year and lasts for 5 days.
    
Ramnavmi:
 
Celebrated in Chaitra month (March-April), it is the biggest festival for devotees of Shri Ram. On this day, they observe a fast, worship Ram and recite the Ramayan.
   
Diwali:
 
It is celebrated in the month of Kartik (October-November) on the occasion of the return of Lord Ram after his victory over Lanka.
   
Navratri/Dashera:
 
Held in the month of Ashwin (October), it is the celebration of Lord Ram’s victory over Ravan.
 

Where To Stay

Where To Stay : 
   
Dharamshalas:
 
 Pramod Dharmshala  Ramghat
 Shri Bhairoprasad Badridas Agrawal  Karvi Railway Station
 Seth Govardhandas Dharmshala  Ramghat
 Shri Sadhuram Dharmshala  Sitapur Bazar
   
Hotels:
 
 Category  General
 Name  Jaipuria Dharmshala
 Address  Podar Inter College, Chitrakoot Road, Sitapur,
 Dist. Chitrakoot (UP)
 Telephone  +91 - 5198 - 224 221
   
 
 Category  General
 Name  Gurukripa Atithi Griha
 Address  Ratnavali Marg, Chitrakoot
 Telephone  +91 - 5198 - 224 666
   
 
 Category  Medium
 Name  Madhya Pradesh Tourist Bungalow
 Address  Near Satna Bus Stand, Chitrakoot
 Telephone  +91 - 7670 - 265 326
 Fax  +91 - 7670 - 265 326
 Web Site  www.mptourism.com
   
 
 Category  High
 Name  Kamdagiri Bhavan
 Address  Ratnavali Marg, Ram Ghat, Chitrakoot P.O., Uttar Pradesh
 Telephone  +91 - 5198 - 224 313
   
 
 Category  High
 Name  Rahi Tourist Bungalow
 Address  Opp. Podar Inter College, Sitapur, Chitrakoot (Uttar Pradesh)
 Telephone  +91 - 5198 - 224 219
 Fax  +91 - 5198 - 224 652 
 

Location/Climate

Location/Climate: 
 
Location
 
 Geographical  Location  Height  Above  Sea Level  Average Annual Rainfall
 Latitude  Longitude  207 metres  100 cm
 25° N  81° E
   
 
Temperature

Temperature is given in degrees Celsius.
 
 Month  Jan   Feb   Mar   Apr  May  Jun  Jul  Aug  Sep  Oct   Nov    Dec
 Maximum   24  27  33  39  42  40  44  32  33  33  29  25
 Minimum  9  12  17  23  27  29  27  26  25  21  13  9
   
 
Important Information
Chitrakoot is situated to the North-east of the Vindhyachal Mountain range, where the Mandakini River, also known as Payasvini River, flows.
The region gets very hot in the summers. Therefore the ideal time to visit Chitrakoot is between October and May.
 

General Information

General Information: 
 
 STD Code
 05198
 Puja Timings
 7.00 a.m.-12.00 p.m., 2.00 p.m.-5.00 p.m.
 Police Assistance
  Tel: +91 - 5198 - 235 939
 Hospital/Ambulance  Government Hospital
 Chitrakoot Dham
 Srijan Hospital Pvt. Ltd.
 8/1/6, Elgin Road, Civil Lines,
 Allahabad - 211 003
 Currency  Exchange
  State Bank of India
 +91 - 5198 - 224 216, 224 393
 ATM Centre  SBI, Karvi - 210 204
 Post Office
 Chitrakoot
 Bada Taluka, Dist. Chitrakoot,  PIN - 210 204
 Tourist Office
  U P Tourism
 Rahi Tourist Bungalow, Chitrakoot
 Tel: +91 - 5198 - 224 219
   
 
Food
Non-vegetarian food is prohibited in the entire Chitrakoot region, however tourist bungalows arrange for it. Almost all the hotels here serve meals.
 

Travel Planner

Address (Click on "A" to locate): 
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PDF File: 
application/pdf iconchitrakoot.pdf
Airports in the vicinity: 
Lucknow
Kanpur
Allahabad
Varanasi
Satna
Patna
Gaya
Railway: 
 Main Railway Stations  Station Code
 Lucknow  LJN
 Faizabad  FD
 Ayodhya  AY
 Allahabad  ALD
 Varanasi  BSB
 Mirzapur  MZP
 Chitrakootdham  CKTD
Road Distance from Destinations: 
 Allahabad  Lucknow  216 Km
 Kanpur  202 Km
 Varanasi  147 Km
 Mirzapur  112 Km
 Faizabad  170 Km
 Varanasi

 

  Lucknow  309 Km
 Allahabad  147 Km
 Mirzapur  034 Km
 Patna  235 Km
 Faizabad  204 Km
 Ayodhya  Lucknow  152 Km
 Allahabad  176 Km
 Faizabad  008 Km
 Gorakhpur  135 Km
 Mirzapur  216 Km
 Chitrakoot  Allahabad  098 Km
 Mirzapur  205 Km
 Kanpur  190 Km
 Satna  080 Km
 Vindhyachal  Varanasi  059 Km
 Satna  065 Km
 Allahabad  090 Km
 Mirzapur  009 Km

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