Dharkundi (M.P.)
According to the Hindu epic Mahabharata, the conversation between ‘Yudhishthira and Daksha’ took place at Dharkundi Kund, now known as “Aghamarshan Kund.” This Kund is situated between the Sri Paramhansa Ashram and Dharkundi in the Satpura hill forest. Aghamarshan Kund is approximately 100 meters below ground level.
The name Dharkundi is derived from two words, “dhara” and “kundi”, meaning ‘stream of water’ and ‘pond,’ respectively. This place features an ever-flowing, pristine water stream that doesn’t let the water level here to drop (i.e., no water shortage) due to the dense jungles of the Vindhya mountain range. Due to this continuous flowing water stream, a water tank has been formed here. The beauty of Dharkundi, located amid thick jungles, and its rare natural sights, deep caves, and precipitous rocks make it a place worth exploring.
The revered Shri Maharaj Sachidanand Ji has added spiritual and tourism significance to Dharkundi through the Sri Paramhansa Ashram. In the dense jungles of Dharkundi, one can find numerous fossils and valuable medicinal plants. Dharkundi Ashram is situated at an altitude of 1050 feet above sea level, and its location amidst the dense jungles keeps it cool even in the hottest summers.
Swami Paramanand Paramhansa Ji, after 11 years of intense meditation in the Anusuya Ashram in Chitrakoot, came to Dharkundi in 1956 and resided in a cave with a lion amidst the dense jungles. Slowly, he utilized his spiritual powers to harmoniously blend spirituality and nature in this beautiful place.
Every day, spiritual seekers and nature lovers visit this place. There is only one direct bus from Satna to Dharkundi. If you are coming from Satna, there is also a branch of Paramhansa Ashram near the Satna bus stand, where you can get information about this place.
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Laina Baba
Shri Laina Baba Mandir, which is dedicated to Lord Hanuman, is located in Shivarampur, approximately 11 kilometers from Chitrakoot. Devotees frequently gather here, believing that their wishes come true in this place. From time to time, events like community feasts (bhandara) and devotional singing (kirtan) are organized here.
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Madfa Fort
Madfa fort is also a Chandel carpet fort. This fort is near Chitrakoot at a distance of 30 kilometers from Chitrakoot .
The fort is on a hill near Bariya Manpur on the Bharatkup road. This fort had an important place during the Chandel rule. And the ruins of the fort are still available here. This fort had special importance from the point of view of security. And the natural beauty here is also commendable. This fort is 26 kms away from Kalinjar in the north east. There is a rough road to reach here and Baghelabari village is a little far from it.
There are three ways to climb this fort. The first route is from Manpur village to the north east . And the second route is from Savariya village from South East . And the third route is from Kurhan village . And this route is in the southwest.
Now there is only one door left to enter this fort . This gate is called as Hathi Darwaza, this gate is made of red sand stone.
The forts and temples of the Chandelas were built with these stones at all places, at some distance from here two temples of the Chandela period are found near Khabhariya . And here there is a lake and on top of it there is a roof which is supported by four pillars. Madfa fort is at an altitude of 378 meters above sea level, there is another pond on the western side of this fort, it has been constructed by cutting the rock. And there are also some Chandela temples near Karhan Darwaza.
Madfa fort was discovered by the English historian in the 18th century . _ And it was given the name Madfa. Baghels and Bundelas ruled in this fort over time. The last ruler here was Harvansh Rai, whose downfall happened after the Chacharia war. This war took place in 1780 between the Raja of Banda and the Raja of Panna. In 1804, the British soldiers took it under their authority.
There is a forest around this fort. There are many places of interest in Madfa fort. There is a huge temple of Lord Shiva near the elephant gate , in which there is a huge idol of Lord Shiva , and he has many arms , and there are many types of weapons in those arms . And he is wearing Narmundo ‘s garland around his neck is .
Walking a little distance, a lake is found, whose texture is like Kalinjar’s Swargarohan Tal and next to it there is a Chandel carpet temple. There is no statue in it, two other temples are found after walking a little distance . Both these temples are related to Jainism . There are many idols of Jain Tirthakars near these temples.
Many small temples are found at a little distance from here, the people here call these temples by the name of Baradari. This temple is not completely safe, walking a little distance from here, there is a staircase to get down from the fort. Below the stairs there is a place called Gauri Shankar Gufa. There are many meaningful idols here and there is also a natural cave of sages and saints.
According to the evidence of history, this place was the place of penance of Rishi Mandava and it was here that Shakunantala gave birth to her son Bharata by the coincidence of Dushyanta .
This place has been the work place of Karma Kanva Rishi , Yavana Rishi , Charak Rishi , and Mahaardhavarna . Mahaardhavarna was the father-in-law of Vyas and his daughter’s name was Vatika, who was the wife of Vyas. When the rule of Baghels was established in this area, at that time it was the capital of Baghel king Byaghtha Dev. Till the reign of Ramchandra Baghel, this area remained under the rule of Baghels, later Ramchandra Baghel gave this area to Mughal Emperor Akbar.
Renowned musicians Tansen and Raja Birbal also resided in Madfa during the reign of Ramachandra Baghol . _ _
This fort was actually a strategically important fort which remained under the rule of various kings. In today’s time, the Madfa fort is in its dilapidated condition. Now only its ruins can be seen here. Which attracts a lot of tourists interested in history.
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Kalinjar Fort (Banda)
Kalinjar fort is situated at a height of 700 feet on the hill of Vindhyachal. The height of the fort is 108 feet . The walls of the fort have been made wide and high. It was considered to be the best palace of medieval India. Many styles are displayed in the architecture of this fort. In which Gupta style, Panchayatan Nagar style and Pratihar style are main. Taking care of the Brihad Samhita and Agni Purana , the architect of the fort also has a lake named Ajay Palaka in the middle of the fort. Many ancient temples are also found near that lake. Seven doors have been built to enter the Kalinjar fort . These seven doors are marked with different styles from each other.
Different types of copies are made in its pillars and walls. It is said that the secret of the treasure is hidden in it. The first and main gate among the seven gates is called Singh Dwar. So the second door is called Ganesh Dwar , the third Chandi Dwar and the fourth is called Budhgarh Dwar or Swargaarhan Dwar . There is a reservoir named Gandhi Kund or Bhairav Kund near it. The fifth wonderful and artistic gate of the fort, which is the Hanuman gate . In it you get to see idols, craftsmen and inscriptions of Chandela rulers. The sixth gate is known as Lal Dwar . A tank named Hammir Kund is situated near it. The last gate is called Mahadev gate or Nemi gate.
The names of Kirtivarman and Madanavarman are found in the inscriptions of the fort. Apart from that, the picture of mother-father devotee, Shravan has been made. In these forts, Alamgir Darwaza, Chauburji Darwaza, Buddha Bhadra Darwaza, and Bara Darwaza built by the Mughal emperor Alamgir Aurangzeb are seen. Sita Sage cave has a stone bed and pillow kept in it. Which is called the resting place of Sita. There is a pond near it which is called Sitakund. There are two pools named Budha and Budhi in the fort which are full of medicinal properties. The leprosy of Chandela king Kirtivarman was also cured by taking a bath here.
It has two grand palaces named Raja Mahal and Rani Mahal. There is Patal Ganga reservoir in it. Water keeps dripping continuously from the rocks in Pandu Kund. Patal Ganga used to flow from below it. That is what fills this kund. Apart from that Koti Tirtha, Mrigadhara, idols of seven deer, idols of Bhairav, Manduk Bhairavi, Chaturbhuji Rudrani, Durga, Parvati and Mahishasura Mardini idols, Trimurti, Shiva, Kamdev, Shachi (Indrani) idols are worth seeing.
The city of Kalinjar was established in the 7th century. Rajavi Kedar Raja of Kalinjar city had laid its foundation. But it became famous during the time of Chandela rulers. But according to some stories, there is evidence that the Chandela kings built this fort. It is said that Chandela got the title of “Kalanjaradhipati” from this place. This reflects the many importance of the fort. This fort was used in times of wars and invasions. Many Hindu kings and Muslim rulers fought wars to get this fort, but no king could rule Kalinjar fort for a long time.
Kirtinagar of Satyug today’s Kalinjar
Kalinjar Fort, which has been a face-to-face witness of Indian history, has been present in all ages. The names of this fort may have changed but its charm has never waned. It has become famous as Kalinjar Kirtinagar in Satyug, Madhyagarh in Tretayug, Sinhalgarh in Dwapar Yug and Kalinjar in Kaliyug. The invincible fort of Kalinjar used to be under the rule of the kings of Jejak Bhukti Kingdom in ancient times. Mahmud Ghaznavi, Qutbuddin Aibak and Humayun made many invasions but could never win. Emperor Akbar conquered the fort in 1569 and gifted it to Birbal.
Mystery of Kalinjar Fort
The mysterious cave is pitch dark and strange sounds come from it. The name of the dancer whose ghungroo sounds in it is called Padmavati. Padmavati was a devotee of Lord Shiva and hence used to dance her heart out all night especially on the day of Kartik Purnima. Now Padmati is no more, but thousands of years later, this fort is still inhabited by the sound of Padmavati’s gurgles. Historians also accept this truth. During the research, once he had to stay in the palace late at night and then suddenly in the silence of the night, the sound of ghungroos was heard.
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Neelkanth Mahadev Temple at Kalinjar
The Ancient Temple of Neelkanth Mahadev in the Western Part of Kalinjar Fort City
In the western part of Kalinjar Fort city, an ancient temple dedicated to the guardian deity Neelkanth Mahadev stands majestically. To enter this sacred place, one must pass through two grand gates. Along the way, intricately carved sculptures and numerous caves adorn the path, showcasing the unique and marvelous craftsmanship of the Chandela rulers. At the entrance of the temple, a Shivling is enshrined, and on the temple’s doors, there is a Shiv Stuti dedicated to King Parimadra Dev.
Above the Shiv temple, there is a natural water source, which never dries up. This source is used for the continuous and natural Abhishek (ritual bathing) of the Shivling.
Legend has it that during the churning of the ocean (Samudra Manthan), Lord Bholenath (another name for Lord Shiva) consumed the poison that emerged from the sea at this very spot. When Lord Shiva drank the poison, his throat turned blue, earning him the name Neelkanth (the blue-throated one). It is said that because of this event, Lord Shiva is also known as Neelkanth, and the temple in Kalinjar dedicated to him is known as Neelkanth Mahadev Temple. This sacred place is considered ideal for meditation and tranquility, with its serene natural surroundings
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Rajapur – Tulsidas Temple
Located 40 kilometers away from the Karwi headquarters on the banks of the Yamuna River, Rajapur is renowned for being the birthplace of the great poet-saint Goswami Tulsidas, who is the immortalizer of Lord Shri Ram’s life story through his epic work, the Ramcharitmanas. Tulsidas is also known for his Vinay Patrika, and he is a revered Vaishnav saint and a staunch supporter of Indian culture and Sanatan Dharma.
In Rajapur, you can find the Tulsidas Temple, which houses a handwritten manuscript of the Ramcharitmanas, specifically the Ayodhya Kand. It is believed to contain 170 pages of this sacred text. Legend has it that Sant Tulsidas uttered the name “Ram” immediately upon his birth, earning him the nickname “Ram Bola.” His birth occurred under the influence of the Mool Nakshatra, which is associated with the twelve months of the year.
The famous Hanuman Temple in this area is situated along the picturesque banks of the Yamuna River. Ratnavali, the wife of Sant Tulsidas, is believed to have hailed from a village across the Yamuna River, adding to the spiritual significance of this location.
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Tathi Ghat
Tathi Ghat in Chitrakoot is a place of great renown. The story behind this location is that sages offered a sacred plate to Lord Rama as an offering, which is why this place came to be known as Tathi Ghat. Even today, numerous sadhus and saints engage in meditation at this site and remain engrossed in penance, often hidden from the view of onlookers. The name of this place holds special significance worldwide, and on occasions like Diwali and during the new moon, thousands of devotees gather at Tathi Ghat to offer their prayers.
Located approximately 15 kilometers from the district headquarters, Tathi Ghat is nestled between Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh and is considered a significant religious site. It provides a peaceful environment for the meditation and penance of ascetics and saints.
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Somnath Temple
The Somnath Temple is a magnificent and ancient temple dedicated to Lord Shiva, situated on a hill along the banks of the Valmiki River in the village of Char, which is approximately 12 kilometers east of Chitrakoot-Karvi. Inscribed on the temple’s sanctum walls is evidence indicating that it was constructed at the end of the 14th century by the contemporary ruler Raja Kirti Singh.
This hill on which the temple stands was formerly known as “Saurathia Hill.” At that time, the meaning of “Saurathia” was not clear to the people, but it has now become evident that it refers to Saurashtra. Nearby, the capital of the rulers of that time was Madangadh, which is known today as Madana. Its remnants can still be found in the vicinity.
The temple complex, as well as its surroundings, is adorned with various sculptures and statues depicting deities, celestial beings, Gandharvas, Apsaras, Kinnaras, spirits, and manifestations of the Ganga and Yamuna rivers. Additionally, there are approximately two thousand small and large statues of animals and birds. The craftsmanship on display here is like a university teaching the art of sculpture. Even in its deteriorated state, none of the numerous fragments scattered around seem to lack exquisite carvings. The stone-cutting and carving skills employed to shape these deities and divine entities are a remarkable example of ancient artistry.
It is believed that all prayers and wishes are fulfilled at this temple, making it a sacred and significant pilgrimage site. A fair is held here during Mahashivaratri, attracting devotees from various places.
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Shabri / Tulsi Water Fall
Shabri Waterfall, also known as Shabri Jharana, is located in the Chitrakoot district of Uttar Pradesh, specifically in the Dudaila village (near the Bambiya and Tikariya gram panchayats). It is situated 10 kilometers from Markundi, 13 kilometers from Majhgawa (MP), 32 kilometers from Manikpur, and 47 kilometers from Chitrakoot Dham.
According to mythological stories, Lord Rama took a bath at this spot after eating fruits offered by Shabri Ma, and the place was named after her. The best time to visit Shabri Waterfall is during the monsoons when the water flow is abundant. July to September are the ideal months to explore this place, although some people also visit it till December too.
The stream flowing from Rishi Sir Bhang Ashram near Bambhaiya forest forms the Sabari Falls.Shabri Waterfall is known for its breathtaking natural beauty and is especially captivating on rainy days, similar to waterfalls in Bastar. The cascading waters create a mesmerizing spectacle, and the sound of the waterfall resonates in the surroundings. The view of the waterfall is reminiscent of Windamere Falls in Mirzapur and Kempty Falls in Mussoorie, providing a tranquil and enchanting experience. It is believed that Lord Rama visited this place and took a dip in the pond. The local Bhil tribe residing in the Patha forest also considers themselves descendants of Shabri, and the waterfall is named after them.
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Pramod Van
Pramod Van is located one kilometer south of Chitrakoot-Satna Road near Payaswini Ghat in Chitrakoot. Temple dedicated to Lord Narayana, constructed by Rivan Naresh. Around 300 cottages surround the temple, and it is said that Rivan Naresh built them to host a special ritual performed by pandits to bring peace and remove any divine obstacles.
Pramod Van is the same place where Lord Rama spent a joyful eleven years during his exile. The Putra Dayini Vriksha, a sacred tree, is located in this area. Disheartened individuals from distant places come here to worship this tree and seek blessings. After the worship, priests offer them leaves from this tree, believed to grant the blessing of having children.
This sacred Banyan tree is situated in Pramod Van of Chitrakoot, a place where Lord Rama spent a significant part of his exile. The tree is approximately 500 years old and holds great significance. It is not a common sight, as Banyan trees like this are rare. According to mythology, this tree was brought from heaven to alleviate the suffering of the Earth. It was descended from the heavens to Earth by the divine intervention after intense meditation by a sage thousands of years ago. The tree is considered equivalent to the divine.
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Ranipur Tiger Reserve
Located in Ranipur, Chitrakoot district, this tiger reserve spans an area of 36 square kilometers. The core area covers 230.32 square kilometers, and the buffer area adds 299.05 square kilometers, making this tiger reserve a strong effort in the conservation of tigers. Furthermore, an additional 300 square kilometers are being added to it.
The Ranipur wildlife habitat spreads across an area of approximately 230 square kilometers. Along with this, the state has several other scenic and beautiful locations within a 16,620 square kilometer forest area. Ranipur Tiger Reserve is located just 150 kilometers away from Panna Tiger Reserve in Madhya Pradesh. Ranipur Tiger Reserve is home to various wildlife, including tigers, sloth bears, leopards, spotted deer, and chinkaras. In 2018, Ranipur Tiger Reserve was declared as the 53rd tiger reserve in India,with Uttar Pradesh having 173 of these majestic creatures.
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Pampapur
Pampapur, situated in Devangana Ghati, is just 5 kilometers away from Chitrakoot. It is home to several sacred caves associated with Lord Rama, making it an important religious destination for his devotees. These ancient caves, which are centuries old, have a mystique about them and captivate history enthusiasts for some time. A path made of stones from Kotitirth leads to Pampapur. After walking about 500 meters on this path, a slight descent to the right leads to the Pampapur cave, where a statue of Lord Hanuman is enshrined. The south-facing Hanuman idol holds an unwavering faith among the devotees.
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Maihar Devi (M.P.)
The name Maihar city is also said to be derived from a story related to Lord Shiva in this city. It is said that when Lord Shiva was carrying the body of Goddess Sati, the necklace from his neck broke and fell at this place. Since then, this city came to be known as “Maihar” after the necklace. The temple of Goddess Sharada is always crowded with devotees. The history of the temple confirms the authenticity of the ancient idol beneath the feet of the idol of Mother Sharada with an ancient inscription.
In the western direction of Maihar city, on the Chitrakoot mountain, there is a temple of Goddess Adya Sharada and on her left side, there is a stone idol of Lord Narasimha. The consecration of this idol took place approximately in the year 1994 Vikram Samvat 559, Shak Samvat 424, on the 14th day of the dark fortnight of Chaitra, Tuesday, in the year 502 AD, during the reign of King Tor Maan Hoon, it was done by Shri Nupul Dev.
It is believed that when the doors of the Sharada Mata temple are closed and the priests descend from the hills, leaving no one behind, two invisible warriors, Alha and Udal, come to worship the Goddess and then leave the temple after performing the worship even before the priest.
It is also believed that Alha and Udal not only searched for this sacred place of Mother Sharada in the dense forests of this mountain but also attained immortality by continuous penance for 12 years. It is said that these two brothers offered their tongues to Mother Sharada with devotion to please her, which she returned to them immediately.
Even today, it is believed that only Alha and Udal have the privilege of worshipping Mother Sharada first. Behind the temple, under the hills, there is a pond called Alha Talab. Two kilometers further from the pond is an akhada (wrestling arena) where it is said that Alha and Udal used to wrestle.
In the Sanatan tradition, Mother Sharada is worshiped as the goddess of knowledge, intellect, and art. Students preparing for exams and competitions come here in large numbers to seek the special blessings of Mother Sharada. Devotees who worship Mother Sharada with a pure heart receive blessings of prosperity, and they are said to be protected from all kinds of fears, diseases, and untimely death. This Shaktipeeth is situated at an altitude of about 600 feet, and to have darshan (sight) of the Goddess, devotees need to climb 1063 steps of the temple. However, there is also a ropeway available for those who prefer an easier way to reach the temple.
In the entire Bharat, Mehar Temple of Satna is the only temple of Mata Sharada. The temple complex also includes a series of temples dedicated to various deities like Lord Kal Bhairav, Lord Hanuman, Goddess Kali Durga, Lord Gauri Shankar, Lord Sheshnag, Goddess Phoolmati, Lord Brahma, and Goddess Jalpa Devi.
The distance from Chitrakoot to Mehar Devi Temple is approximately 120 km.
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Arogya Dham (M.P.)
Arogya Dham is located 5 kilometers from Ramghat, and it offers high-quality Ayurvedic and natural medical facilities. The beautiful and attractive gardens here are worth seeing. Arogya Dham also has a yoga center where you can enjoy yoga sessions. In the evening, tourists can also take a dip in the Mandakini River, and thousands of people gather here every evening for bathing.
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Panch Prayag
In the rich spiritual pilgrimage of Tirthakshetra, Panch Prayag holds its own significance. This place is located about 2 km away from the road leading to Sati Anusuya Ashram. In the Tirthakshetra, Panch Prayag’s confluence point of natural beauty is immediately visible. About four kilometers from the Anusuya Ashram road, you can reach this beautiful spot. The confluence point of the Mandakini and Jhuri rivers in this remote place is extremely picturesque. Many saints have made this inaccessible place holy with their penance. Even today, saints are immersed in meditation here to attain oneness with the divine.
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Devangana Kotitirtha
This place is located approximately 13 kilometers from Chitrakoot on a hill in the Vindhya mountain range. Here, there is a huge cave and a temple dedicated to Lord Hanuman. This place is famous for the meditation of ascetics and is surrounded by natural beauty.
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Viradh Kund
The path that Lord Shri Ram took from Chitrakoot is still present, but it is now a rugged trail through the dense forest. There are large rocky cliffs along the way. From Anusuiya Ashram to Sharbhang Ashram, the path goes through another forest. Near Anusuiya Ashram, there is a waterfall and a cave with a statue of Lord Hanuman. A little further from here is Viradh Kund, where Lakshman dug a pit and defeated the demon Viradh. This pit is quite large and has a unique shape.
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Banke Siddh
Banke Siddh is located about 11 kilometers from Chitrakoot and 3 kilometers southeast of Ganesh Bagh, on the eastern side of the Vindhya mountain range. Banke Siddh is famous for its natural beauty. It is a beautifully constructed cave nestled under a massive rock, towering hundreds of feet above the ground. There are well-constructed stairs leading down to the cave from below. From above, a clear stream of water flows into the cave, merging with the cave’s northern part and disappearing into the mountain’s chamber.
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Sharbhang-Ashram
Sharbhang Ashram is located about 40 kilometers southeast of Chitrakoot. To reach Sharbhang Ashram from Viradh Kund, you have to travel through the forest route. There is a pond near Sharbhang Ashram from which water flows from below. Here, you will also find a temple dedicated to Lord Rama. Due to the presence of wild animals, the outer gate of the temple is closed after sunset. Maharishi Sharbhang, in front of Lord Rama, gave up his body by igniting a fire.
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Nandi Ke Hanuman Ji
The Nandi Ke Hanuman Ji temple in the village of Nandi in the Chitrakoot district features a south-facing idol of Lord Hanuman. It is believed that by seeking blessings from South-facing Hanuman Ji, one’s wishes are fulfilled. Additionally, it is said that one of Lord Hanuman Ji’s feet extends all the way to the netherworld. Legend has it that Goswami Tulsidas used to visit this temple daily from Rajapur to have darshan of Hanuman Ji. The peepal tree in the temple premises is believed to be the one planted by him. The belief in Nandi Ke Hanuman Ji extends far and wide.
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