Chitrakoot emerges sought-after pilgrim spot during Kumbh, govt renews thrust
Chitrakoot used to see around 2,500 vehicles arriving from outside, the number has surged since Maha Kumbh began in Prayagraj, reaching up to 7,000 on weekdays and 14,000 on weekends.
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An aerial view of devotees taking a holy dip at the Sangam area during the ongoing Maha Kumbh Mela festival, in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh. (PTI Photo) CHITRAKOOT DISTRICT has emerged as a prominent new pilgrimage destination, alongside Ayodhya and Varanasi, with nearly four lakh pilgrims taking a daily holy dip in the Mandakini River.
Situated around 120 km from Prayagraj, where the Kumbh Mela is ongoing, Chitrakoot is attracting a growing number of devotees due to its association with Lord Ram.
District Magistrate Shivasharanappa GN said that pilgrims attending the Kumbh Mela are either taking a dip in the Mandakini River in Chitrakoot before heading to Prayagraj or doing so after returning from their holy bath at the Kumbh.
After taking a holy dip, some pilgrims are also visiting temples such as Bharat Milap Mandir, Hanuman Dhara Temple, Janki Kund, Gupta Godavar, Kamadgiri Hill and other sacred sites.
The DM said that visitors are now arriving in Chitrakoot from across the country, including Gujarat, Delhi, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.
While some pilgrims take a dip, visit a few places and return, many are staying in Chitrakoot, added the DM.
As the number of pilgrims continues to rise, hotels and dharamshalas in Chitrakoot are seeing a heavy number of bookings, with many making advance reservations.
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath with state Finance Minister Suresh Kumar Khanna before the presentation of the State Budget 2025-26 in the Assembly, in Lucknow. (Source: PTI)
“Around four lakh pilgrims are taking dip daily in Chitrakoot,” said Arun Kumar Singh, Superintendent of Police, Chitrakoot.
According to officials, pilgrims started arriving in Chitrakoot after Paush Purnima on January 13 and Makar Sankranti on January 15.
SP Arun Kumar Singh added that the influx of vehicles in the district increased significantly after the Mauni Amavasya snan on January 29.
The crowd is typically seen during the snan and on weekends.
To ensure smooth traffic flow and efficient visitor management, the district administration and police have implemented comprehensive security measures. Multiple parking lots have been set up within Chitrakoot and on its outskirts. Arrangements have also been made for the accommodation and medical facilities of pilgrims, officials said.
Heavy police presence has been deployed across the district, with increased patrolling and strategically placed police teams.
SP Singh said that while Chitrakoot used to see around 2,500 vehicles arriving from outside, the number has surged since the Maha Kumbh began in Prayagraj, reaching up to 7,000 on regular days and rising to 12,000-14,000 on weekends.
In the Budget presented in the Assembly on Thursday, the government alloted Rs 50 crore for Chitrakoot.
Ramayan connection
Chitrakoot holds immense religious significance in Hinduism, as it is believed to be where Lord Ram spent a major part of his exile and performed the last rites of his father, Dasharatha. The sage Valmiki, who authored the Ramayana, is also associated with this sacred land.
Notable sites in Chitrakoot include Ramghat, a sacred bathing spot on the Mandakini River; Bharat Milap Mandir, where Lord Rama and Bharat are believed to have reunited; and Hanuman Dhara Temple, which offers breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape. The story of Gupta Godavari suggests that Lord Ram and Lakshman resided here during their exile. Pilgrims undertake ‘parikrama’ Circumambulation around the temple and the Kamadgiri hill.
The district is uniquely spread across Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh, with four tehsils— Karvi, Rajapur, Mau, and Manakpur — falling within Uttar Pradesh, while a significant portion lies in Madhya Pradesh’s Satna district.
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