Chitrakoot is where Shri Ram, Mata Sita and Lakshman Ji are believed to have spent much of their 14-year exile. It lies on the Mandakini river on the border of Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh, south of Prayagraj, and most of its sites fit into two unhurried days.
Day 1: the forest of exile
- Gupt Godavari: cave temples with water running through them, traditionally linked with Shri Ram and Lakshman Ji.
- Sati Anusuya Ashram: the peaceful ashram of the sage Atri's wife Anusuya, where Mata Sita is said to have received her blessings.
- Sphatik Shila: a rock on the Mandakini where Shri Ram and Mata Sita are believed to have rested.
- Hanuman Dhara: a spring falling over a Hanuman shrine high on a hillside; it is a climb of many steps.
Day 2: the parikrama and the ghats
- Kamadgiri Parikrama: the walk around Kamadgiri hill, the spiritual heart of Chitrakoot. Start early; it takes a few hours on foot.
- Ramghat: the main ghat on the Mandakini, busiest at the evening aarti.
- Bharat Milap Temple: where Bharat met Shri Ram to ask him to return to Ayodhya.
- Bharat Koop, Ram Darshan and Ganesh Bagh as time allows.
When to go
October to March is the most comfortable. Amavasya and Deepawali bring large crowds for the parikrama; April to June is very hot.
Chitrakoot on the Ramayana Yatra
On our 11-day Ramayana Yatra, Chitrakoot comes after Prayagraj and before Varanasi, with exactly this two-day order. The full route, from Ayodhya to Janakpur, is on the Ramayana Yatra places page; more on the town is on the Chitrakoot page.
Frequently asked questions
What are the main places to visit in Chitrakoot?
Ramghat, the Kamadgiri parikrama, Gupt Godavari, Sati Anusuya Ashram, Sphatik Shila, Hanuman Dhara and the Bharat Milap temple.
How many days are enough for Chitrakoot?
Two days: one for Gupt Godavari, Sati Anusuya, Sphatik Shila and Hanuman Dhara, and one for the Kamadgiri parikrama, Ramghat and Bharat Milap.
Is Chitrakoot in Uttar Pradesh or Madhya Pradesh?
Both. Chitrakoot lies on the border of Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh, on the Mandakini river.
चित्रकूट में घूमने की जगहें कौन सी हैं?
रामघाट, कामदगिरि परिक्रमा, गुप्त गोदावरी, सती अनुसूया आश्रम, स्फटिक शिला, हनुमान धारा और भरत मिलाप मंदिर। दो दिन में आराम से दर्शन हो जाते हैं।
