Chitrakoot by Mythology

Chitrakoot Dham’s devout legacy stretches back to the mythological times to which very few cities in India can match; Chitrakoot is known to be of great religious and mythological significance.

It was in these deep forests that Shri Rama and Sita lived here for eleven years of their fourteen years of banishment.

A regular feature in the Indian folklore, Chitrakoot was the meditation shrine of legendary sages such as; Rishi Atri, Sati Anusuya, Dattatreya, Maharshi Markandeya, Valmiki and various other seers and scholars. It is said that all the gods and goddesses came to Chitrakoot when Rama performed the Shraddha ceremony of his father ‘King Dasharatha’ to participate in the final Shuddhi.

The first known mention of the place is in the Valmiki Ramayana, which is believed to be the first ever ‘Mahakavya’ composed by the first ever poet ‘Valmiki’ who penned Ramayana much before Lord Rama was born and the antiquity of its fame can well be gauged.

The place of many wonders        

Nestled in the northern Vindhya Range of mountains and owing to its mythological significance and natural beauty, Chitrakoot is popularly described as ‘the place of many wonders”

The place has a unique sense of spiritual wonder that will take you back to your childhood tales and fables of Ramayana.

The abode of trinity Brahma, Vishnu & Mahesh 

The Hindu trinity of Brahma, Vishnu and Mahesh are believed to have taken their incarnations on the sacred land of Chitrakoot.

The Shuddhi of Ram’s father     

According to mythological scriptures, this is where Lord Rama performed the Shuddhi ceremony of his father.

Shrines of Chitrakoot Dham

Ramghat

On the banks of river Mandakini is said to be the place ‘Ramghat’ where during the exile period Lord Rama, Lakshman and Sita took bath here and It is that the sacred Sarayu river emerges from its subterranean sojourn, and vanishes again. Tulsi Chabutra, a platform on the Ram Ghat, is believed to the place where the great poet & saint Tulsidas wrote the epic Ram Charit Manas.

Sphatic Shila

On the banks of the Mandakini there rests a large boulder bearing the impressions of Lord Rama’s footprints and Sita. According to Ramacharit Manas it is said that Lord Rama with Lakshman was sitting on this Shila (The Rock) when Lord Hanuman returned from Lanka after setting it afire and confirmed the news to Lord Rama that goddess Sita has been imprisoned inside Ashoka Vatika of Lanka.

Bharat Milap Temple

Blessed site, where Bharata is said to have met Rama to persuade him to return to the throne of Ayodhya but Lord Rama would not, Then Bharat returned to Ayodhya and installed the sandals on the throne, and, living in retirement, carried on the government as their minister. It is said that the meeting of four brothers was so emotional that even the rocks and mountains of Chitrakoot melted.

Sati Anasuya Ashrama

It was here that Atri muni, his wife Anasuya and their three sons (incarnations of Brahma, Vishnu and Mahesh), lived and are said to have meditated. The dense forests of Dandaka start from this place. It was ruled by Ravana.

Gupt – Godavari

It is believed that Rama and Lakshman held court in the giant caves, which has two natural throne – like rocks.

Kamadgiri Mountain

Legend has it that a powerful ritual with 108 fire pits was performed by Lord Bramha before creating the universe.

Janaki Kund

Situated upstream of the Ramghat, it is believed that Goddess Sita bathed in the crystal clear waters of Mandakini river during the years of her exile with Rama.

Hanuman Dhara

As per the Legends Hanuman, after setting fire in Lanka, cooled his wrath (rage) under a stream of icy water. His idol still stands submersed by a flow of cold – crystal water.

Tours

(Escorted Sightseeing)

Shringverpur & Chitrakoot Dham Darshan – Excursion Tours

A Ramayana themed excursion tour to Chitrakoot and Shringverpur, covers two important places which Rama visited before the abduction of Goddess Sita by Demon King Ravana in the forests of Panchavati. while Shringverpur (in Prayag) being the place where Rama crossed the river Ganges on his way to exile, it was Chitrakoot where lord  Rama and Sita had spent eleven years of their fourteen years of banishment.

Request this tour: info@holywaters.in

The Ramayana Trail: Prayag – Shringverpur  – Chitrakoot – Sitamarhi

Is a well curated – 4 Nights – religious trail of lord Rama’s journey in exile. The tour based on the narrative poem ‘Ramayana’ stretches to the most important places & sites visited by Lord Rama & Sita while proceeding for their exile to the forests of Chitrakoot by way of Prayag & Shringverpur. Also, Sitamarhi or the ‘Sita Samahit Sthal’ where it is believed that ‘Sita’ (the daughter of goddess earth) went inside the earth after being asked by Lord Rama to give Agni Pariksha for having lived in the Ashrama of Valmiki Rishi. Consequently, leaving behind her two sons Luv & Kush who were reunited with their father Lord Rama at the same very place. It was in these forests (Sitamarhi) where Luv & Kush captured the horse of the Ashvamedha Yagya that was released from Ayodhya.

Request this tour: info@holywaters.in