Chitrakoot Dhama, Part 8

BY: SUN STAFF - 8.5 2023

A serial exploration of the Holy Dhama of Chitrakoot.

Janaki Kund

Situated upstream about 3 kilometers from Ramghat in Chitrakoot is the Janaki Kund, where Sita Devi bathed in the waters of the Mandakini River during her years of exile with Rama. The name Janaki refers to the daughter of Raja Janak, and is another name of Sita Devi's.

Janaki Kund

Devotees come to this serenely beautiful stretch of the Mandakini River to honor Sita, bathing all along the stepped banks of the river. The main place of worship at Janaki Kund, however, is a cave shrine along a steep escarpment that rises above the river, known as Sita Kund. The waters of Sita Kund come from the Godavari River. One of the interesting features of Sita Kund is the fact that the Godavari waters enter the cave, but no one knows where they disappear to.

Near the kund is a havan bedi, where Sita used to perform havan (fire sacrifice) after taking bath. The havan bedi was built by Sita herself, and local priests come here everyday to recite Ramayana, morning and evening. The rocks nearby bear the worshipable footprints of Janaki Devi.

Sphatik Shila

A few kilometres beyond Janaki Kund there is a densely forested area along the banks of the Mandakini. There is a place here which bears Lord Rama's footprints, where Sita was pecked at by Jayant, in the form of a crow. Known as Sphatik Shila, devotees must climb up onto a large boulder to see the impression of Rama's footprints.

A few kilometres beyond Janaki Kund there is a densely forested area along the banks of the Mandakini. There is a place here which bears Lord Rama's footprints, where Sita was pecked at by Jayant, in the form of a crow. Known as Sphatik Shila, devotees must climb up onto a large boulder to see the impression of Rama's footprints.

The Sanskrit term 'sphatik' refers to crystal, and there is a huge rock resembling a reddish-white crystal, a kilometer away from Janaki Kund on the left bank of the Mandakini.

Sphatik Shila

Sri Rama and Janaki Devi used to rest here, perhaps while traveling to and from the Atri ashram. Once Jayant, the son of Lord Indra, is said to have pecked at the feet of Sita Devi, wishing to test the might of Rama. Sri Rama, sitting in the veerasan posture, shot an arrow in his direction. With no one else to take shelter of, Jayant sought the protection of Rama Himself. Although Rama took out one of Jayant's eyes, he then pardoned him for his sinful act.

Sphatik Shila

Jayant's footprints are also found here, along with Laksman's and Sita's. There are a number of temples and shrines residing here.