Chitrakoot

Chitrakoot (चित्रकूट Citrakūṭ) is a culturally and archaeologically significant town in Bundelkhand, split between Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh. Though relatively unknown to tourists, the area is a pilgrimage destination known for a number of important temples and sites mentioned in Hindu scripture. It is well worth visiting if you have the time.

Many people gather here on special Hindu occasions throughout the year, each Amavasya, Somwati Amavasyas, Deepawali, Sharad-Poornima, Makar Sankranti and Ramanavami, and for general celebrations. These follow the Hindu calendar, so dates in the Western calendar change yearly.

Noted Ayurvedic and yoga centres like 'Arogyadham' are located in Chitrakoot and there are also Free Eye Hospital Camps.

By train
is the closest railway station to the town. It is served by 2190 Mahakoshal Express from Hazrat Nizamuddin (Delhi) and 5009 Chitrakut Express from Lucknow.

By bus
You may get in by bus from Lucknow, Prayagraj, Kanpur, Jhansi, Jabalpur, Satna and Varanasi.

By plane
Prayagraj and Varanasi  are nearest airports to Chitrakoot.

By car
Chitrakoot is from Varanasi and it takes about 5 hours to reach there. Typical cab fare will be about ₹3,500+tolls. One may also take a train from Varanasi via Manikpur Jn which takes 5 1/2 hours and costs ₹1000 or less.

Get around
Tuktuks and terrain vehicles take pilgrims from one site to another, prices are generally fixed but beware "official guides" and drivers who loiter in or around hotels.

See




Do
Walk around Kamdgiri Hill, a holy site where many pilgrims walk barefoot and push coconuts. Don't miss the huge unsigned spiral well on the left of the path maybe 50m from the turn off to the cable car up the nearby hill. There are lots of tourist shops and monkeys.

Enjoy the view of pilgrims bathing in the Ghat.

Go shopping for second hand clothes left by other pilgrims (or "found" by locals). Piles of clothes can be found on the edge of town on the road to Kamtanath Mandir. Shirts are about ₹40. Enjoy the aerial view of Chitrakoot by taking the 5-minute Hanumandhara Ropeway ride to the Hanumandhara Temple where an eternal spring exists with no known source. Legend has it that the spring materialised when Hanuman (the monkey god) came back after burning Lanka and asked Ram to put out the fire in his tail. Locals claim that the water has miraculous healing properties. The ropeway ride saves you from climbing up 650 steps and costs ₹130 for a two-way ticket (as of 10th August 2021).

Eat
Only local eateries/dhabas serving Indian cuisine are available and the town is notably short of good restaurants.


 * Mata Shri Jai Devi Anand Ram Jaipuriya Smriti Bhawan, Chitrakoot. Ph : 05198-210204
 * Kamad Giri Bhawan, Ramghat, Chitrakoot.

Drink
Chitrakoot is a Hindu pilgrimage site, so no alcoholic products are legally available in town and being seen drunk would likely cause you trouble. More expensive hotels may be able to help.

Budget:

 * There are several cheap hotels near the train station, some on the right have cheap dormitories and all seem to accept foreigners.
 * There are several cheap hotels near the train station, some on the right have cheap dormitories and all seem to accept foreigners.
 * There are several cheap hotels near the train station, some on the right have cheap dormitories and all seem to accept foreigners.

Other:

 * Shri Rawatpura Sarkar Ashram "Shringar Van", Satna Road, Chitrakoot, MP. Ph. 07670-265526, 9893120194
 * Pitri Smitri guesthouse directly on the ramghat 09450223214
 * Kamadgiri Bhawan Ratnawali Marg -07670-265357
 * Rohini Lodge ramghat
 * MP Agrasen lodge Ratnawali Marg -07670-265350
 * Agrawal Dharmshala Utarabazar Ramghat Rathikothi Utarabazar Ramghat
 * MP/UP Tourist Banglow Maa Ji Dharmshal Utarabazar Ramghat
 * Mata Shri Jaidevi Anandram Jaipuriya Smriti Bhawan, Chitrakoot. Ph : 05198-210204
 * Annapurna (Vinod Lodge), Near Ramghat. Ph : 05198-224415
 * Roopali Lodge, Railway Station, Karvi, Chitrakoot.

Respect
This region is an important pilgrimage site for Hindus and unlike in Varanasi or areas more visited by foreigners, not much funny business will be tolerated.

It is expected for you to abstain from drinking and using cannabis in public, and you probably shouldn't at all.

Interfering with the pilgrims by taking intrusive photos or detracting from the holiness of the various sites will earn you a lot of frowns; this includes posing for selfies too close to the holier sites with the multitude of pilgrims who will likely ask.

Go next

 * Prayagraj
 * Khajuraho
 * Varanasi
 * Panna National Park