Chitrakoot — The Forest That Sheltered Lord Ram

If Ayodhya is the city of Lord Ram's birth, then Chitrakoot is the forest of his exile — and it is in many ways even more intimate, more personal, and more deeply connected to the Ramayan story. Here, in these gentle hills and on the banks of the sacred Mandakini River, Lord Ram, Goddess Sita, and Lakshmana spent 11 of their 14 years of forest exile.

Located straddling the border of Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh (250 km south of Ayodhya), Chitrakoot is a place where the Ramayan comes alive. Every rock, every trail, every river bend has a story, a legend, a connection to the divine family of Ayodhya.

"Chitrakoot ke ghat par, bhai santan ki bheer / Tulsi das Chandan ghise, tilak det Raghuveer"
— Tulsidas (at this ghat, devotees throng; Tulsidas grinds sandalwood, and Lord Ram himself applies the mark)

The Sacred Connection to the Ramayan

The Ramayan tells us that when Sage Valmiki advised Ram on where to spend his exile, he listed all the great forests of India before settling on Chitrakoot — describing it as the most beautiful, most sacred, and most suitable for penance and spiritual life.

Key events from the Ramayan that took place at Chitrakoot include:

• Bharat Milap: The emotional reunion of Ram and his brother Bharat, who walked all the way from Ayodhya to beg Ram to return and rule. Ram gently refused — explaining his duty to honour his father's word. This scene, depicted in every version of the Ramayan, took place at Chitrakoot's Bharat Milap Temple.
• Indra's son Jayanta's punishment: The crow who pecked Sita's foot was punished here by Ram with the Brahmastra.
• Atri and Anusuya's ashram: The great sage Atri and his wife Anusuya, a model of devotion and virtue, blessed Ram, Sita, and Lakshmana here. Anusuya gave Sita divine gifts including an ointment that would keep her beautiful forever.

Must-Visit Places in Chitrakoot

1. Ram Ghat (Mandakini)

Ram Ghat is the most sacred spot in Chitrakoot — the main bathing ghat on the Mandakini River, believed to be where Ram bathed daily during his stay. An evening Mandakini Aarti is performed here every day — lanterns, flowers, and oil lamps float downstream as priests chant sacred hymns. The sight is hauntingly beautiful.

A boat ride on the Mandakini here is a meditative experience — the river is narrow, quiet, and lined with ancient temples and ghats on both banks.

2. Kamadgiri Parikrama

Kamadgiri — literally "wish-fulfilling mountain" — is the most sacred hill in Chitrakoot. It is believed to be a manifestation of Lord Ram himself, and circumambulating it (a 5 km walk) is the most important spiritual act a devotee can perform here. Completing the Parikrama is believed to fulfil all legitimate desires of the devotee.

The parikrama path is lined with small temples, ashrams, and devotees doing prostrations (dandavats) — touching their full body to the ground after every few steps. The atmosphere is extraordinarily devotional.

3. Gupt Godavari

Hidden deep inside two limestone caves, Gupt Godavari is one of the most unique and mysterious sites in Chitrakoot. The larger cave has a narrow entrance through which you have to wade through knee-deep water, and inside opens into a vast chamber. It is believed Ram and Lakshmana held their royal court here during exile — the natural rock formations resemble a throne and assembly hall.

4. Sphatik Shila

Sphatik Shila (Crystal Rock) is a flat rock by the Mandakini where Lord Ram and Sita are believed to have sat together. The rock bears what devotees venerate as the footprints of Sita. A small temple stands here, and the setting — a large crystal-white rock in the middle of the flowing river — is incredibly picturesque.

5. Sati Anusuya Temple

The ashram of Sage Atri and his wife Anusuya is situated in a serene forest clearing about 16 km from Chitrakoot town. The atmosphere here is extraordinarily peaceful — birds singing, ancient trees, and the sound of a nearby stream. A temple here marks the exact spot where Anusuya blessed Sita.

6. Bharat Milap Temple

This temple marks the spot of the most emotional scene of the Ramayan — when Bharat arrived with the entire Ayodhya court to beg Ram to return. The footprints of Ram and Bharat are preserved here on a stone slab, pressed deep as if by divine weight. Devotees touch these footprints with great reverence.

Best Time to Visit Chitrakoot

October to March is ideal — cool, pleasant weather and the Mandakini river is calm. Ram Navami (March/April) and Diwali are extraordinarily special occasions at Chitrakoot — the entire town becomes a festival of lights and devotion.

How to Reach Chitrakoot from Ayodhya

• By Cab: ~250 km from Ayodhya, approximately 5 hours. The most comfortable option — our AC cabs go door-to-door.
• By Train: Karwi Railway Station (nearest, ~8 km from Chitrakoot). Connect via Prayagraj or Chitrakoot Dham Karwi station.
• Via Prayagraj: Many pilgrims combine Prayagraj and Chitrakoot in a 3-day trip from Ayodhya.

Book Our Ayodhya–Chitrakoot Tour

Our 2-day Ayodhya–Chitrakoot pilgrimage package covers all major sites including Ram Ghat, Kamadgiri Parikrama, Gupt Godavari, Sphatik Shila, and Sati Anusuya Ashram — plus a full Ayodhya darshan. Priced from ₹3,499 per person.

Call 9795846332 to book. Jai Shri Ram! 🙏