Chitrakoot Dham

Chitrakoot Dham is a city in the Chitrakoot district, in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh. It is the headquarters of the Chitrakoot district. Situated in the Bundelkhand region, it holds great cultural, historical, religious and archaeological importance and it is said that Rama, a major deity in Hinduism, spent 11 years of exile in Chitrakoot. It is connected to the town of Chitrakoot, situated in the Satna district of Madhya Pradesh.

History
Karwi emerged as a prominent seat of the Peshwa administration following significant territorial acquisitions in Bundelkhand subsequent to Bajirao's assistance to Chhatrasal in overcoming Khan Bangash. Maharaja Amrut Rao was the first ruler of Karwi and the town started to gain importance. Maharaja Amrit Rao Peshwa used to reside mostly in Benaras, was involved in charity and led a life of penance.

His son Peshwa Vinayak Rao made Karwi his home and Ganesh Fort palace was built in 1818, the same year in which Shaniwar Wada was destroyed, which is now called as Purani Kotwali.

A temple dedicated to Lord Ganpati was built in Sonepur in 1832, known as Ganesh Bag.

Vinayak Rao is renowned for commissioning the construction of twenty or more temples in Karwi. His son Narayan Rao joined the revolt of 1857 and was jailed in Rewa. He died of poisoning at Hazari Bagh, while on a trip to Gaya.

His Daughter Savitri Bai was restored 8 villages of Naikhai in Rewa State by British offices which was confiscated during 1857 on a guarantee to leave Peshwa title forever. After the fall of Northern Branch of Peshwas, The town of Karwi lost its old glory and splendor.

On 6 May 1997 in Uttar Pradesh, a new district, Chhatrapati Shahu Ji Maharaj Nagar, was created, by cutting it out of the Banda district. A year later on 4 September 1998, the name of the district was changed to Chitrakoot. It is situated in the northern Vindhya range spread across Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh states. The word "Chitrakoot" signifies the rich and diverse cultural, religious, historical and archaeological heritage of the various sites of the region. Every new moon, lakhs of devotees from different areas gather here. Somvati Amavasya, Diwali, Sharad-Purnima, Makar-Sankranti, and Ram Navami are celebrated in the city.

Geography
The city is bounded by Kaushambi in the north, Satna (M.P.) and Rewa (M.P.) in the south, Prayagraj and Banda in the east and west respectively. Chitrakoot Dham is situated on the bank of the Mandakini (Payaswini) river, with mountainous terrain.

Demographics
As of the 2011 census, Chitrakoot Dham had a population of 66,426, with 54% being male, and 46% female. The city has an average literacy rate of 67%, with male literacy at 75% and female literacy of 58%.

Educational institutes

 * Baijnath Bharadwaj Saraswati Vidya Mandir
 * Chitrakoot Inter College (CIC)
 * Gyan Bharti School
 * Jagadguru Rambhadracharya Handicapped University, Sitapur
 * Sanskrit College, Taronha
 * Goshwami Tulshidas Government College, Bedi Pulia
 * Mahatma Gandhi Chitrakoot Gramodaya University
 * Seth Moolchand Vidya Mandir
 * St Thomas Sr. Sec. school

Hospitals

 * District Hospital Chitrakoot

Roads
The National Highway 35 (NH35) and National Highway 731A (NH731A) runs through Chitrakoot Dham Karwi. NH35 gives connectivity to Varanasi and Jhansi. NH731A gives connectivity to Kausambi, Pratapgarah, and Raebareli. The Bundelkhand Expressway begins in the city, a 296km long expressway, connected to the Agra–Lucknow Expressway, which connects to Delhi.

Railways
Chitrakutdham Karwi railway station is part of the Manikpur–Jhansi/Kanpur main line, served by the North-Central division of Indian Railways. It to Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Bhopal, Raipur, Jabalpur, Kanpur, Khajuraho, Lucknow, Durg and Varanasi.

Airport
Chitrakoot Airport is the nearest airport to the city.

Attractions

 * Ramghat–This is a major ghat. 100–150 rs buy a one-hour personal shikara (Big Boat). Many boats host pet rabbits. Tulsidas statue is there on the ghat. Bharat Milap temple is on this ghat. Arati happens each evening. This is a central place in Chitrakoot.
 * Kamtanath Temple–This trail covers around 5 km. Monkeys are common and ill-behaved.
 * Hanuman Dhara–This hill has three main points of interest: Trimukhi Hanuman mandir, Panchmukhi hanuman mandir and Seeta Rasoi. A continuous stream of waterfalls on Hanuman idol. Buy grams of "Chana" and feed langurs here. Langurs are present. Sita Rasoi is an old room where Sitaji cooked food during ram vanvas.
 * Gupt Godavari Caves–Water streams flow through these three caves. Peshwa Yashwantrao of Karwi used it as a site of penance dedicated to River Godavari and Shakti worship.
 * Sphatic Shila–This is a stone where Lord Ram used to rest.
 * Sati Anusuiya Ashram–This is an ashram on the river bank.
 * Ganesh Bagh- The last Durbar of Northern Branch of Peshwas of India, where 1857 was planned and orchestered in Bundelkhand. It is also called as mini khajuraho
 * Sanhok Lake View

Ramghat Ram Ghat on the banks of Mandakini is the symbol of religion, faith and belief. Lord Rama, Sita and Laxmana bathed in Ramghat during their stay in Chitrakoot. It is also believed that this is the place where Lord Rama and Lord Sita appeared to Tulsidas and created Ram Charity Manas for him. The evening performance of “Aarti” is especially beautiful and the view creates a truly wonderful atmosphere and gives travelers a special experience. Decorate with lighting and bikes. People should not be ashamed of this journey. Kamadgiri Kamadgiri is the sacred place of Chitrakoot. First in line is Lord Kamtanath Temple and Pradakshina in Kamadgiri Hill.The Sanskrit word “Kamadgiri” means the mountain that fulfills all wishes and desires. It is believed to be the abode of Lord Ram, Sita and Laxman when they were exiled. Lord Kamtanath, also known as Ishta Deva, is the presiding deity of not only Kamadgiri Parvat but the entire Chitrakoot. Hanuman Dhara Hanumandala is a peaceful and beautiful place. The Hanuman temple takes center stage and has a waterfall called Hanumandala. The temple has 700 steps leading to the top of the hill. Great place for bhakt. Mountain climbing is the best option to find spirituality and understand the laws of nature through the landscapes of Indian mythology. Hanuman Dhara also tells the beautiful story of Lord Ram.

The spring water falling on the top of the deity gradually fills the nearby Kundai, and it is a beautiful place worth remembering for a long time. Here is the great Hanuman. After the battle, Hanuman asked Ram to help extinguish the fire within him. Now Ram shot an arrow and a fountain gushed out from the mountain. Since then this place was called Hanuman Dhara.