|
|
Chitrakoot
Sufferers and seekers, poets and
visionaries, princes and noblemen have, through the ages, sought and found
solace in Chitrakoot, drawn inspiration from its sublime natural beauty, gained
spiritual strength from its serene temples and in turn, become part of the
hallowed legend that is Chitrakoot.
Chitrakoot, 'the hill of many wonders', nestles
peacefully in the northern spurs of the Vindhyas, a place of tranquil
forest glades and quiet rivers, and streams where calm and repose are all
pervading. This loveliest of Nature's gifts is also hallowed ground, blessed by
the gods and sanctified by the faith of pilgrims. For Chitrakoot's spiritual
legacy stretches back to legendary ages: it was in these deep forests that Rama
and Sita spent eleven of their fourteen years of exile; here that the great sage
Atri and Sati Anusuya meditated; and here where the principal trinity of the
Hindu pantheon, Brahma, Vishnu and Mahesh, took their incarnations.
What to see :
Ramghat : The
ghats that line the banks of the river Mandakini reveal a constantly
moving and changing kaleidoscope of religious activity. Here, amidst the
chanting of hymns and the sweet fragrance of incense, holy men in saffron robes
sit, in silent meditation or offer the solace of their wisdom to the countless
pilgrims who converge here. With the very first rays of dawn that gleam upon the
river, Ramghat stirs into life as the devout of all ages take the ritual,
purifying dip in the waters and invoke the blessings of the gods. The rippling
blue green waters of the Mandakini can be traversed by boats, readily available
for hire.
Kamadgiri : Kamadgiri,
the original Chitrakoot, 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.
Top
The Bharat Milap temple is located here, marking the spot where
Bharat is said to have met Rama to persuade him to return to the throne of
Ayodhya. Many are the faithful who perform the ritual circuit (Parikrama), of
the sacred hill, to ask for a boon or a blessing.
Sati Anusuya : Sati
Anusuya
is located further up-stream, set amidst thick forests that resound to the
melody of birdsong all day. It was here that Atri Muni, his wife Anusuya and
their three sons (who were the three incarnations of Brahma, Vishnu and
Mahesh) are said to have meditated. The Mandakini is believed to have been
created by Anusuya through her meditation. Sati Anusuya lies about 16 km from
the town and can be reached by road - an undulating, curving drive through
densely wooded areas.
Sphatik Shila : A
few kilometers beyond Janaki Kund is again a densely forested area on
the banks of the Mandakini. One can climb up to the boulder which bears the
impression of Rama's footprint and where Sita was pecked at by Jayant in the
form of a crow. There are large fish in the river here easily visible in the
pellucid water, and a few temples.
Janaki Kund : In
this idyllic pastoral setting, it is said, Sita would bathe in the crystal clear
waters, during the years of her exile with Rama. Certainly, this quite spot
seems to have been specially blessed, for an aura of total harmony and
quietitude haloes it, setting it apart from the bustle of the everyday world.
Gupt-Godavari : 18
km from the town is a natural wonder located some distance up the side of a
hill. The wonder here is a pair of caves, one high and wide with an entrance
through which one can barely pass, and the other long and narrow with a stream
of water running along its base. It is believed that Rama and his brother Laxman
held court in the latter cave, which has two, natural throne-like rocks.
Top
|
|
