Chitrakoot Dhama Yatra
In the Holy Footsteps of Lord Ramacandra’s Forest Home
One of India's great pilgrimage sites, the Holy Dhama of Chitrakoot is remotely located amidst the dense forests of Bundelkhand, on the border of Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh, far-away from any major city. In the deep forests of Chitrakoot (Chitrakuta), Lord Sri Ramacandra, Sita and Lakshmana spent 11-and-a-half years of Their 14 years of exile. Lord Rama exhibited many wonderful pastimes here. He especially bestowed mercy upon great sages through His personal association who had been praying and eagerly waiting for His arrival for a very long time, as described in the Valmiki Ramayana! The dense Dandakaranya forest adjoins Chitrakoot.
Chitrakoot means "delightful asrama". Though exiled from His kingdom, Ayodhya, Lord Rama lived happily in this beautiful holy place. The entire area, which is widespread, is very pleasant and picturesque even today! When Lord Rama, Sita and Lakshmana sojourned on Their journey to exile, after crossing the Triveni sangam at Prayagraj, They arrived at Bharadvaja Muni’s ashram. The great sage Bharadvaja insisted Lord Rama spend His exile period in his asrama. However, Lord Rama expressed that since residents of Ayodhya are close by to this place, they can appear there in search of Him. Lord Rama inquired about another place where They should stay. Bharadvaja Muni suggested the Lord go to the forest of Chitrakoot.
Chitrakoot has long been a place of devotion and austerity. The hills and forests have many caves, providing shelter for the sages. Great sage Atri, Sati Anasuya, Sarbhanga, Sutikshna and various other devotees meditated here. Lord Rama Himself sang the praises of Chitrakoot. In particular, Janaki-kunda, Sphatik Shila, Rama-Shaiyya, Sarbhanga Ashram, Sati Anasuya asrama and Kalanjara are among important places to visit and are exquisitely beautiful! The atmosphere in Chitrakoot is serene and soaks with devotion to Lord Rama. The people in general are simple and modern day urban advancement has largely untouched Chitrakoot. Lord Rama, Sita and Lakshmana went on, wandering from asrama to asrama in the Dandakaranya forest, meeting the great sages. They would stay at each hermitage for a week, a month or longer, sometimes even a year.
Srimad-Bhagavatam Canto 7 chapter 14 verses 30-33, Canto 5 chapter 19 verse 16 and chapter 20 verse 15 describe the glories of Chitrakoot. Valmiki Ramayana describes in detail the pastimes of Lord Rama in Chitrakoot.
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