Gracing the banks of the Mandakini river, the tranquil town of Chitrakoot in Madhya Pradesh, can be located and in accordance to Hindu mythology and the Ramayana, this region is held in high regards. Chitrakoot falls amidst the northern Vindhya mountain ranges and is a picturesque amalagamation of religious, historical, natural, cultural, and archaeological wonders.
It is a small town with a great potential of winning over your heart, with its lush forests, enormous waterfalls and hallowed temples. So if it sounds like a place which would add to your travel tales and give you a day of respite from the usual humdrum of the city, then this piece is for you!
The ‘Hill of Many Wonders’
Located 234 kilometers south of Lucknow, it should take you about five and a half hours to get to Chitrakoot by road. The name of this district, translates to ‘Hill of Many Wonders’ and as per local legends, this is where Lord Rama, his wife Sita and his brother Lakshman stayed for over eleven years, out of their fourteen years of exile, making it a reverred site among pilgrims. It is also said that the believed that the principal gods of Hindus, took incarnations here.
Further, many people are unaware that this district houses a one-of-a-kind varsity known as the Jagadguru Rambhadracharya Divyanga University, which has been set up only for the specially abled. It was founded by Jagadguru Ramanandacharya Swami Rambhadracharya Ji, who himself is visually impaired.
Knock Knock
A weekend is all you need to soak in the inviting vibe of Chitrakoot and when here, you’ve got to visit places such as Sati Anasuya Ashram, Hanuman Dhara and Ramghat, amidst other options, which will keep you hooked here for a considerable amount of time. When here, you could also explore Janaki Kund, Bharat Koop, Gupt Godavari Caves and the Jagdal Waterfalls, which make for scenic subjects for your camera and memories as well!
