Pilgrimage Hill
Kamadgiri and Kamtanath Temple
The main sacred hill of Chitrakoot where devotees perform parikrama and worship Kamtanath as the heart of the pilgrimage.
KamadgiriParikramaKamtanathTake the scenic route · Uttar Pradesh
Chitrakoot
Ramayana exile land of Kamadgiri, Mandakini, caves, ashrams and Vindhyan hills
Forest calmSlow trailsEarthy light
THE MOODMoss, monsoon & forest light
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Make time forA little exploration
Local discoveries15 places · 0 gems
Make room for Chitrakoot in your next adventure.
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GET TO KNOW THE PLACE
Chitrakoot - Ram exile landscape, saints and natural pilgrimage
Chitrakoot is one of the most sacred Ramayana landscapes, remembered as the forest home of Shri Ram, Sitaji and Lakshman during exile. Its identity comes from Kamadgiri, Mandakini or Payaswini river, hermit ashrams, caves, waterfalls, hill shrines and the devotional memory of Tulsidas.
Ramayana Era
Forest home of Shri Ram
Chitrakoot is remembered as the place where Shri Ram, Sitaji and Lakshman spent a major part of the exile and where Bharat came from Ayodhya to request Ram to return.
Ancient Sacred Geography
Kamadgiri, Mandakini and sages
The official history links Chitrakoot with sages such as Atri, Anasuya, Dattatreya, Markandeya, Sarbhang and Sutikshna, making it a long standing centre of tapasya and sadhana.
Bhakti Literature
Tulsidas and devotional memory
Goswami Tulsidas is deeply associated with Chitrakoot and Rajapur. The district memory is tied to Ramcharitmanas, Ram bhakti and pilgrimage traditions around Ramghat and Kamadgiri.
Modern District
Created as a separate Uttar Pradesh district
The present Uttar Pradesh district was carved out of Banda region in 1997 and renamed Chitrakoot in 1998, covering Karwi and Mau tehsil areas within the larger Chitrakoot sacred landscape.
LEAVE ROOM FOR A DETOUR
The places you’ll remember.
Ghat
Ramghat and Sitapur Mandakini Bank
The most active riverfront on the Mandakini, used for bathing, evening aarti, boat rides and the start of local temple walks.
MandakiniRamghatAartiHill Temple
Hanuman Dhara
A hill shrine reached by steps, known for the stream flowing near Hanumanji and wide views over Chitrakoot.
HanumanHill ShrineViewpointRiver Shrine
Janki Kund
A quiet Mandakini spot associated with Sitaji, valued for river worship, calm steps and nearby ashram atmosphere.
SitaMandakiniSacred BathRamayana Site
Sphatik Shila
A sacred rock site near the Mandakini, traditionally linked with Shri Ram and Sitaji during the forest stay.
RamayanaSacred RockMandakiniCave Shrine
Gupt Godavari
A dramatic cave complex with a narrow water channel, revered as a hidden Godavari flow and a Ramayana-era meeting place.
CavesWater ChannelRamayanaAshram
Sati Anasuya Ashram
Forest ashram associated with Atri Muni, Mata Anasuya and Dattatreya, visited for quiet sadhana atmosphere.
AtriAnasuyaAshramRamayana Site
Bharat Milap Temple
A devotional site connected with the emotional meeting of Bharat and Shri Ram during the exile period.
Bharat MilapRamayanaDevotion
Pilgrimage Well
Bharat Koop
A sacred well where pilgrimage to Chitrakoot is traditionally considered complete after darshan.
Sacred WellBharatPilgrimageLiterary Heritage
Rajapur Tulsidas Birthplace
Rajapur is traditionally honored as the birthplace of Goswami Tulsidas, the saint poet of Ramcharitmanas.
TulsidasRajapurRamcharitmanasHistoric Temple Garden
Ganeshbagh
A heritage complex near Karwi with temple, stepwell and garden remains, often called a miniature Khajuraho style site.
GaneshbaghTempleStepwellForest Ashram
Dharkundi Ashram
A forested spiritual retreat about fifty kilometers from Chitrakoot, known for caves, silence and saint traditions.
ForestAshramCavesScenic Hill Area
Devangana Valley
A Vindhyan hill and valley area linked with Chitrakoot religious geography and scenic drives from Karwi.
VindhyaHillScenicHill Shrine
Lakshman Pahari
A hill point associated with Lakshman, visited along the broader Chitrakoot parvat mala pilgrimage route.
LakshmanHillPilgrimageRegional Heritage
Kalinjar Fort Regional Excursion
A famous fort listed on the official Chitrakoot tourist circuit as an excursion from Chitrakoot, historically located in nearby Banda region.
KalinjarFortExcursionA LITTLE OFF THE USUAL ROUTE
What you might be missing.
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Food of Chitrakoot
Chitrakoot food is simple pilgrim food: satvik thali, kachori-sabzi, poori-aloo, peda, rabri, seasonal jaggery sweets and ashram meals around Ramghat, Kamadgiri, Karwi and Sitapur.
Local food recommendations are being collected.
THROUGH ANOTHER TRAVELLER’S EYES
From the travel journal.
New stories and reels will appear here after editorial review.
वन · वर्षा · विराम
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A LITTLE PLANNING GOES A LONG WAY
Before you set off.
October to March is best. Amavasya, Deepawali, Sharad Purnima, Makar Sankranti and Ram Navami draw very large pilgrim gatherings.
Transport details are being updated. Check current services before setting out.