Uttar Pradesh / Madhya Pradesh border
Chitrakut Travel Guide
Where Lord Rama, Sita and Lakshmana are believed to have spent much of their 14-year exile — a quiet hill-and-forest pilgrimage town on the Mandakini river, centred on the sacred Kamadgiri hill. Here's everything to plan your trip.
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About Chitrakut
Chitrakut sits on the banks of the Mandakini river, on the border of Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh, in the Bundelkhand region. According to the Ramayana, it's where Rama, Sita and Lakshmana spent a large part of their 14-year exile from Ayodhya, making it one of the most significant sites on the Rama pilgrimage circuit.
At the centre of the town is Kamadgiri, a hill regarded as a living form of Rama himself — pilgrims walk a circumambulation (parikrama) path around its base rather than entering a conventional temple. Ramghat, Hanuman Dhara and Sati Anasuya Ashram round out the main sites, all reachable within a short drive of one another.
Top Places to Visit in Chitrakut
The sites tied to Rama's years here, all within easy reach of each other.
Kamadgiri
The sacred hill regarded as a form of Rama — pilgrims walk the parikrama path around its base.
Ramghat
The main ghat on the Mandakini, where Rama is believed to have performed his father's last rites; site of the evening aarti.
Hanuman Dhara
A hilltop spring said to have been created by Rama to cool Hanuman after he set Lanka ablaze.
Sati Anasuya Ashram
A forest hermitage associated with the sage Atri and his wife Anasuya, a little outside the main town.
Gupt Godavari
Twin caves with a natural spring, believed to be where Rama and Lakshmana once held court.
Bharat Milap Temple
Marks the spot where Bharata met Rama here and pleaded with him to return to Ayodhya.
Best Time to Visit Chitrakut
October to March is the most comfortable time to visit, with cool weather suited to the Kamadgiri parikrama and time by the Mandakini. April to June gets very hot, and July to September is the monsoon.
Amavasya (new moon) days draw especially large crowds for the parikrama and a ritual dip at Ramghat, as does Deepawali — plan around these if you'd rather visit somewhere quieter, or specifically to be there if you want the fuller experience.
Not sure which dates work best?
Ask Us on WhatsAppHow to Reach Chitrakut
By air, by train, or by road.
By Air
Chitrakut has no major airport of its own — most visitors fly into Prayagraj or Khajuraho and continue by road.
By Train
Chitrakoot Dham (Karvi) railway station serves the town directly, with onward connections via Prayagraj and Banda.
By Road
Roughly 250 km from Varanasi (around 5-6 hours), typically routed via Prayagraj — often combined with Ayodhya and Prayagraj on the wider Rama pilgrimage circuit.
Planning to Combine Chitrakut with Varanasi?
Chitrakut, Ayodhya and Prayagraj form a natural Rama pilgrimage circuit — we don't run a property in Chitrakut itself, but our Varanasi team can help plan the whole trip.
Find Your Way Around Chitrakut
Kamadgiri, a good reference point for the rest of the town.
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Plan on WhatsAppFrequently Asked Questions — Chitrakut
Chitrakut is famous as the place where Lord Rama, Sita and Lakshmana are believed to have spent much of their 14-year exile. Its main sites are Kamadgiri, Ramghat, Hanuman Dhara and Sati Anasuya Ashram.
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