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Green Message: The Evergreen Messages of Spirituality, Sanskrit and Nature
Sri Rama staying in Chitrakoota during his forest exile
Chitrakoota: Sri Rama staying in Chitrakoota:
(Valmiki Ramayana - Ayodhya Kanda - 56, 94, 95)
► चित्रकूटाद्रिनिकेतन राम् (Citrakuta-Adri-Niketana Raam): Who made the Chitrakuta mountain his habitat.
• Meditation: I meditate on Sri Rama staying in Chitrakoota during the forest exile.
• Sri Lakshmana building a parna shala at Chitrakoota: Sri Rama was charmed by the beauty of Chitrakoota. He told Lakshmana to build a parna shala (leaf hut) in that place. After the hut was constructed, Sri Rama performed the ceremony of purification while entering the hut by reciting sacred hymns. They settled down joyfully in that beautiful place.
• Sri Rama describing the beauty of Chitrakoota forest to Devi Sita: While staying in Chitrakoota, Sri Rama one day described the beauty of Chitrakoota Mountain to Devi Sita. Sri Rama is described as "Giri Vana Priyah", the one who liked mountains and forests. Sri Rama said that looking at the beauty of the Chitrakoota mountain, neither the loss of kingdom nor friends distressed his mind. Sri Rama pointed out that due to the presence of various minerals the mountain had taken a multi-hued appearance. Some place it is shining like silver, some place it is red like blood, and some place it is beautiful yellow. He mentioned the different trees which beautified the mountain forest. Amra (Mango), Jambu (Rose-Apple), Asana, Lodhra, Priyala, Panasa (Jackfruit), Dhaba and many others. Also thousands of herbs were glittering with their own lights. He mentioned that the forest was enlivened by various animals and flock of birds. He pointed out the Kinnara couples wandering in that charming mountain plains. Sri Rama said that he was really captivated by the beauty of Chitrakoota.
• Sri Rama describing the beauty of river Mandakini to Devi Sita: After describing the beauty of Chitrakoota Mountain, Sri Rama described the beauty of river Mandakini. Sri Rama showed the swans and geese frequenting its beautiful sandy beaches laden with flowers. Sri Rama pointed out the various trees laden with fruits and flowers on its banks. They shower down their leaves and flowers on both sides of the bank. Sri Rama said that the sight of the herds of deers drinking waters in its charming Tirthas create ecstasy in him. Herds of elephants as well as lions and monkeys also come to drink water there. Sages with matted hairs and wearing bark garments take bath in the river. Some sages perform austerities by worshipping the Sun with uplifted arms. The Siddhas who are free from impurities and rich in asceticism purify the river by their touch. Sri Rama said that by bathing three times a day there and living only on fruits and roots, he does not have the desire for Ayodhya or kingdom. There is none in the world whose fatigue will not be relieved by this enchanting river banks.
- Sri Rama staying in Chitrakoota (Valmiki Ramayana - Ayodhya Kanda - 56, 94, 95)
- Trees of Chitrakoota
- Chitrakoot is spread across the border of (Chitrakoot district, Uttar Pradesh) and (Satna district, Madhya Pradesh)
(Valmiki Ramayana - Ayodhya Kanda - 56, 94, 95)
► चित्रकूटाद्रिनिकेतन राम् (Citrakuta-Adri-Niketana Raam): Who made the Chitrakuta mountain his habitat.• Meditation: I meditate on Sri Rama staying in Chitrakoota during the forest exile.
• Sri Lakshmana building a parna shala at Chitrakoota: Sri Rama was charmed by the beauty of Chitrakoota. He told Lakshmana to build a parna shala (leaf hut) in that place. After the hut was constructed, Sri Rama performed the ceremony of purification while entering the hut by reciting sacred hymns. They settled down joyfully in that beautiful place.
• Sri Rama describing the beauty of Chitrakoota forest to Devi Sita: While staying in Chitrakoota, Sri Rama one day described the beauty of Chitrakoota Mountain to Devi Sita. Sri Rama is described as "Giri Vana Priyah", the one who liked mountains and forests. Sri Rama said that looking at the beauty of the Chitrakoota mountain, neither the loss of kingdom nor friends distressed his mind. Sri Rama pointed out that due to the presence of various minerals the mountain had taken a multi-hued appearance. Some place it is shining like silver, some place it is red like blood, and some place it is beautiful yellow. He mentioned the different trees which beautified the mountain forest. Amra (Mango), Jambu (Rose-Apple), Asana, Lodhra, Priyala, Panasa (Jackfruit), Dhaba and many others. Also thousands of herbs were glittering with their own lights. He mentioned that the forest was enlivened by various animals and flock of birds. He pointed out the Kinnara couples wandering in that charming mountain plains. Sri Rama said that he was really captivated by the beauty of Chitrakoota.
• Sri Rama describing the beauty of river Mandakini to Devi Sita: After describing the beauty of Chitrakoota Mountain, Sri Rama described the beauty of river Mandakini. Sri Rama showed the swans and geese frequenting its beautiful sandy beaches laden with flowers. Sri Rama pointed out the various trees laden with fruits and flowers on its banks. They shower down their leaves and flowers on both sides of the bank. Sri Rama said that the sight of the herds of deers drinking waters in its charming Tirthas create ecstasy in him. Herds of elephants as well as lions and monkeys also come to drink water there. Sages with matted hairs and wearing bark garments take bath in the river. Some sages perform austerities by worshipping the Sun with uplifted arms. The Siddhas who are free from impurities and rich in asceticism purify the river by their touch. Sri Rama said that by bathing three times a day there and living only on fruits and roots, he does not have the desire for Ayodhya or kingdom. There is none in the world whose fatigue will not be relieved by this enchanting river banks.
- Sri Rama staying in Chitrakoota (Valmiki Ramayana - Ayodhya Kanda - 56, 94, 95)
- Trees of Chitrakoota
- Chitrakoot is spread across the border of (Chitrakoot district, Uttar Pradesh) and (Satna district, Madhya Pradesh)
► Ram Ghat (Chitrakoot) (Chitrakoot district, Uttar Pradesh)(Ram Ghat lies on the Uttar Pradesh side of Chitrakoot)
Ram Ghat is the main bathing ghat of Chitrakoot on the bank of river Mandakini. It is said that:
- Sri Rama used to bathe in the holy waters of river Mandakini in this place.
- Goswami Tulsidas got the darshan of Totamukha Hanuman and Sri Rama in this place. Sri Tulsidas used to worship Sri Rama with sandal paste in Ram Ghat. There is an image of Sri Tulsidas here. Tulsidas composed parts of the famous Ramcharitmanas here.
- Every evening the Aarti of river Mandakini is performed in Ram Ghat. The entire place then gets surcharged with a holy atmosphere.
► Janki Kund (Chitrakoot) (Satna district, Madhya Pradesh)(Janki Kund lies on the Madhya Pradesh side of Chitrakoot)
Janki Kund is situated upstream from Ram Ghat, on the bank of river Payaswini. It is believed to be the bathing place of Devi Sita. There are footprints of Devi Sita engraved on the boulders. The entire place is very calm and serene. Janki Kund is located 3.5 km away from Ram Ghat.
► Sphatik Shila (Chitrakoot) (Satna district, Madhya Pradesh)(Sphatik Shila lies on the Madhya Pradesh side of Chitrakoot)
Sphatik Shila is a boulder situated on the bank of river Mandakini. It is believed to be the place from where Sri Rama and Devi Sita used to enjoy the beauty of Chitrakoot. The shila is said to have the footprints of Sri Rama and Devi Sita. This place is also associated with the legend of Indra's son Jayanta taking the form of a crow and hitting Devi Sita with its beak. The crow was later punished by Sri Rama. Sphatik Shila is located 4 km away from Ram Ghat.
► Kamadgiri Hill (Chitrakoot) (Chitrakoot district, Uttar Pradesh) (Satna district, Madhya Pradesh)(Kamadgiri Hill lies partly in Uttar Pradesh and partly in Madhya Pradesh side of Chitrakoot)
Kamadgiri Hill is the place where Sri Rama, Lakshmana and Devi Sita is believed to have stayed during their forest exile. Pilgrims circumambulate the Kamadgiri Hill (Kamadgiri Parikrama or Pradakshina) through a 5 km path. There are many temples on the path of the pradakshina. Kamadgiri Hill is also identified with Ramagiri Shakti Peetha.
► Kamtanath Temple (Chitrakoot) (Satna district, Madhya Pradesh)(Kamtanath Temple lies on the Madhya Pradesh side of Chitrakoot)
Kamadgiri Pradakshina often starts from the the famous temple of Lord Kamtanath
► Lakshman Pahari (Chitrakoot) (Chitrakoot district, Uttar Pradesh)(Lakshman Pahari lies on the Uttar Pradesh side of Chitrakoot)
Lakshman Pahari is the place where Lakshmana is said to have stood guard to protect Rama and Sita. This falls on the Kamadgiri Pradakshina path.
► Sita Rasoi (Chitrakoot) (Satna district, Madhya Pradesh)(Sita Rasoi lies on the Madhya Pradesh side of Chitrakoot)
Sita Rasoi is located on the top of the hill which leads to Hanuman Dhara. Pilgrims have to climb around 700 steps to reach this place. It is believed to be the place where Devi Sita cooked food. The view of Chitrakoot is very beautiful from this place.
Bharatavarsha - The Land of Gods and Sages:
1. Stotras2. Scriptures
3. Pilgrimages
4. Festivals
5. Saints - Ramakrishna - Vivekananda - Ramana
6. Sadhana
7. Sanskrit
8. Nature