The district of Chitrakoot in the state of Uttar Pradesh is dotted with numerous religious sites, temples and other places of immense religious significance. Sphatik Shila, situated on the banks of River Mandakini, is one of those places. What is called Sphatik Shila is in fact two enormous boulders which are believed to contain the footprints of Lord Rama and Goddess Sita. As a tourist, this place is great if you are looking for a place to relax and get away from the commotion of everyday life.
There are many reasons why Sphatik Shila is regarded amongst the most religious tourist attractions in Chitrakoot. Besides containing their footprints, it was from this place that they enjoyed the beauty of Chitrakoot. The beauty, undoubtedly, captivates you immediately. The jungle enveloping the river lends it a serene appearance which is nothing short of a visual treat.
There is an interesting mythology associated with this religious site in Chitrakoot. It is said that one day Lord Rama was seated at this spot along with Goddess Sita and Laxmana (Rama’s brother) and was engaged in making garlands for her. Just then, Jayant, the son of Lord Indra, appeared on the scene disguised as a crow and pecked at her feet.
Furious with him, Lord Rama shot a blade of grass to kill him. He escaped and arrived at Indralok (the abode of Lord Indra, his father) but was disappointed when his father refused to help him in any way. Scared, guilty and filled with remorse, he returned to the scene and threw himself at Lord Rama’s feet, begging forgiveness. As fate would have it, the blade cut one of his eyes and blinded it. Several mythological tales attribute the one eyed blindness of crows since then to this episode.
Popular Tourist Attractions Nearby
After paying your respects and enjoying the beautiful sights at Sphatik Shila, you can set off to explore the other tourist attractions. Here are some of the most popular tourist places in Chitrakoot which you should visit.
- Ram Darshan
- Sati Anusuya Ashram
- Gupt Godavari
- Ganesh Bagh
- Bharat Koop
- Ram Ghat
- Janki Kund
- Bharat Milap Temple
- Hanuman Dhara
Best Time to Visit
The district of Chitrakoot is located in the state of Uttar Pradesh. The best time to visit it really depends upon you and the kind of weather you are comfortable travelling in. During the summers, it can get extremely hot during the summers, with some people finding it unbearable. You can plan a visit to Chitrakoot during this time if you can cope with the heat. Come winters, and the weather turns cool, pleasant and inviting. It creates the perfect conditions for sightseeing and exploration. A lot of tourists prefer visiting this place during winters for the same reason.
How to Reach?
Sphatik Shila is located in Chitrakoot, a district located in the state of Uttar Pradesh. Although it does not have its own airport, it is connected to the major cities in India, as well as those located in close proximity, by train, air and road. Here is the best way of reaching it.
By Train
If you are arriving to Chitrakoot by train, you will have to get down at Chitrakoot Dham Karwi, as that is the nearest railway station. Sphatik Shila is located at a distance of almost 22 km from the railway station. You can hire a taxi or private vehicle to reach this place, with the drive taking you about 40 minutes.
By Air
Chitrakoot district in Uttar Pradesh does not have its own airport. The nearest airport is Bamrauli Airport located in the city of Prayagraj (Allahabad), at a distance of about 108 km. After landing at the airport, you can hire a taxi or any other private vehicles to reach this place. The entire driving time should take you 2 hours 40 minutes approx.
By Road
Chitrakoot is connected by NH 35 to the major cities in India as well as those located in close proximity like Varanasi (246 km), Prayagraj (Allahabad) (115 km), Ayodhya (270 km), Vindhyachal (171 km).
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