Anybody who has visited Kamadgiri and performed a circumambulation of the hill there would know about Bharat Milap Temple. It is counted among the most religious places in Chitrakoot and occupies a special place in the heats of devotees. Like other religious sites in this district, this too, witnessed an important episode in the Hindu mythological epic, Ramayana.
An important question here is, why is it called the Bharat Milap Temple? Well, this is the place where Lord Bharat is believed to have met Lord Rama and persuaded him to return to Ayodhya and occupy the throne, which was rightfully his. The emotions generated by this divine meeting were so great that the rocks and other objects nearby are said to have melted with the heat. Not just that, even the rocks and mountains shed tears on this occasion.
Today, upon visiting the Bharat Milap Temple, you come across footprints of all the two brothers on the rocks inside the temple. It is a deeply moving sight, and if you stay there long enough, find yourself lost in an array of emotions. Located in close proximity to this temple is another temple built in honor of Mandavi, the wife of Lord Bharata. Every year, on a full moon day in the month of Kartik (October to November), a play is held at the temple which reenacts the meeting of the two brothers.
Popular Tourist Attractions Nearby
After exploring and seeking blessings at the Bharat Milap Temple, you should check out the other popular tourist attractions in Chitrakoot. Not only do they offer great sightseeing opportunities but also occupy an important religious and cultural significance. Here are some of those places.
- Gupt Godavari
- Kamadgiri
- Hanuman Dhara
- Sati Anusuya Ashram
- Ram Ghat
- Ganesh Bagh
- Ram Darshan
Best Time to Visit
The best time to visit Bharat Milap Temple in Chitrakoot depends on the kind of weather you are comfortable travelling in. As a religious site, you can visit it throughout the year. During the summers though, this place receives extremely hot weather. This can certainly be a put off for many tourists, but if you are comfortable with the heat, you can plan a trip to Chitrakoot during this time.
Come winters, and the weather turns cool and pleasant. This is the time when many tourists plan a visit to this place, as the friendly weather offers the best conditions for sightseeing and exploration.
How to Reach?
The district of Chitrakoot is located in the state of Uttar Pradesh. It can easily be reached by train and road, even though it does not have its own airport. Here is the best way of reaching this place.
By Train
You can reach Chitrakoot quite comfortably by train. The nearest railway station is Chitrakoot Dham Karwi, located at a distance of about 11 km. From the railway station, you can hire a taxi or any other private vehicle to reach this place, with the drive taking you 30 minutes approx.
By Air
Chitrakoot does not have its own airport. If you are arriving by air, you will have to land at Bamrauli Airport in Prayagraj (Allahabad). This airport is located at a distance of about 116 km. After landing at the airport, you can hire a taxi or any other private vehicle to reach this place.
By Road
Chitrakoot enjoys a good road connectivity to the major countries in India as well as those located in close proximity like Varanasi (246 km), Vindhyachal (171 km), Ayodhya (270 km) and Prayagraj (Allahabad) (115 km). NH 35 connects Chitrakoot to these cities.