Places to see [दर्शनीय स्थल]
Bharat Milap temple is believed to be the marking the spot where Bharat met Lord Rama during his period of exile to persuade him to return to the throne of Ayodhya. It is said that the meeting of four brothers was so overwhelming that even the rocks and mountains of Chitrakoot melted. Footprints of Lord Rama and his brothers imprinted on these rocks can still be seen
Gupt Godavari is located 18 Kms from Chitrakoot. Legend has it that Lord Rama and Lakshman stayed here for some part of their exile. Gupt Godavari is a two cave system inside a mountain with knee high water level. The bigger cave has two stone carved thrones believed to be belonging to Rama and Laxman. The outside of these caves are covered with shops for purchasing memorabilia.
Bharat Koop is a huge well near Bharatpur village, located around 20 KMs west of Chitrakoot. It is believed that Lord Rama’s brother Bharat brought water from all the holy places to honour Lord Ram as the King of Ayodhya. Bharat was unsuccessful in persuading Lord Ram to return to his kingdom and take his place as the king. Bharat then, as per the instructions of Maharishi Atri, poured the holy water in this well. It is said that taking a bath from the water of this well means bathing in all teerths (pilgrimage destination). There is also a temple here dedicated to Lord Rama and his family.
Sita Rasoi [सीता रसोई]
The Sita Rasoi at Chitrakoot is situated about 100 feet from the Hanuman Dhara. Her kitchen tirtha is also known as Pramadgni Asrama. Shaded by several trees, the place where Sita is said to have cooked kandmools (root vegetables) is very beautiful and peaceful.
The cylindrical stone shrine sits atop the hill, near another local goddess temple, and adjacent to the Valmiki Asrama. The tirtha name, ‘Sita Rasoi’, is written on a rock outcropping, with a white arrow pointing towards the kitchen.
Lakshman Pahadi [लक्षमण पहाड़ी]
The Lakshman Pahari or Lakshman Hill located on the Parikrama Path of Kamadgiri Mountain half way from the Pramukh Dwar is the hillock where Lakshman; the younger brother of Lord Ram spent most of his time when retired from the services of his elder brother. He used to guard the Kamadgiri Mountain when Lord Ram and Sita used to rest. There is a temple after Lakshman and a pillar called Lakshman. Pilgrims embrace this pillar as if they were embracing Lakshmana himself .
Pampapur [पम्पापुर]
If you feel like exploring a bit further, try taking a trip to Pampapur. A wonderful destination in the Chitrakoot district, Pampapur is nestled in the beautiful and lush Devangana valley. This place is especially famous for the caves. The caves have many legends most of them associated with Lord Rama. This why they are considered sacred.
Apart from being a religious destination, Pampapur will satisfy the adventurer in you. The panoramic views of the lush Devangana valley will enthrall you with its natural beauty. This is definitely one of those places where you can go crazy with your camera.
Kamadgiri, the original Chitrakuta, is a place of prime religious significance. A forested hill, it is skirted all along its base by a chain of temples and is venerated today as the holy embodiment of Rama. Lord Rama is also known as Kamadnathji which literally means fulfiller of all wishes. There is a 5 km Parikrama Path around the Kamadgiri Mountain.
This ashram is known to be the resting place of the sage Atri. Atri meditated here with his devout wife Anusuya. Legend says that during the exile Lord Rama and Mother Sita visited Sati Anusuya at this ashram. Sati Anusuya used to teach Mother Sita during this time. There is large statue of Lord Krishna riding a chariot with Arjun sitting behind him which depicts a Mahabharata scene. Inside it are more sculptures with interesting artwork, kept for sacred darshan. It was here that Atri muni, his wife Anusuiya and their three sons (who were the three incarnations of Brahma, Vishnu and Mahesh), lived and are said to have meditated.
Ram Darshan temple is one unique temple where puja (worship) and offerings are prohibited. This temple helps people enter integral Humanism by imparting them the valuable moral lessons. The temple is an amalgamation of cultural and human aspects and leaves a mark on anyone’s heart who ever visits this temple. The temple gives an insight to Lord Rama's life and his inter-personal relations. One needs an entry ticket to enter the premises.
Situated 11 km from Chithrakoot on the Allahabad-Chithrakoot Road, Ganesh Bagh is one of the most frequented gardens here. Built by the Peshwa King, Vinayak Rao, in the early 1800s, this garden was probably used as a summer retreat for royal sporting activities.
An exquisitely carved Shiva temple, locally known as the Ganesh Bagh Mandir is the main attraction here. The temple has finely engraved domes with erotic figures and resembles the temples in Khajuraho. The temple has an open porch that leads into a huge water tank that has steps on all four sides.
Another attraction is a step well. This seven-storied well, locally known as baoli, has a flight of steps leading to water.
Also present in the vicinity is a Peshwa residential palace. Though in ruins, some of the archways and corridors are still intact reliving an olden grandeur era. Some parts of this three floored building are partly immersed in water.
While visiting Ganesh Bagh, one can also visit Ramghat and Janaki Kund which are located nearby.
Situated in the suburbs of Karwi town near Siddhapur, Ganesh Bagh is easily reachable.