Citrakūṭa is a sacred forest mountain in the Vindhya region, on the banks of the Mandākinī river. Rāma, Sītā and Lakshmaṇa built their parṇaśālā (leaf hut) here and spent the early part of their forest exile in it. The Vālmīki Rāmāyaṇa describes it as one of the most beautiful forest regions of Bhāratavarsha, with flowering trees, waterfalls, and the sounds of birds and forest creatures.

Citrakūṭa was the scene of some of the greatest events of the Ayodhyā Kāṇḍa. Bharata came here in search of Rāma, and from here Rāma went on into the Daṇḍaka forest.

Location and description

Bharadvāja Maharshi named Citrakūṭa to Rāma at Prayāga as the right place for the fourteen years of exile. He described it as a forest mountain thirty krośa south of Prayāga. The Mandākinī river flows through it. It is rich in fruits, tubers and roots, and many kinds of birds and animals live there. Ṛshis live there in tapas (austerity). Bharadvāja praised its beauty in all the seasons. He assured Rāma that the three of them would find there everything needed for a righteous life in the forest.

The Vālmīki Rāmāyaṇa describes Citrakūṭa in loving detail. Tall peaks are covered with flowering trees. The Mandākinī flows clear and silver between the forest banks. Peacocks dance on the hillsides, bees hum around the blossoms, and birds of many colours fill the air with their calls. As they came near, Rāma pointed out the beauties of the land to Sītā with joy. He spoke of the flowers and animals and of the fresh mountain air. (Vālmīki Rāmāyaṇa, Ayodhyā Kāṇḍa, Chapters 54–56)

Arrival and settling

When Rāma, Sītā and Lakshmaṇa reached Citrakūṭa, they first came to the āśrama of Vālmīki Maharshi, who was living there at that time. Vālmīki received them warmly. He told them to settle on the bank of the Mandākinī nearby.

Lakshmaṇa built a fine parṇaśālā, a hut of strong branches and leaves, on the riverbank. It was solid and well made, and could shelter them in comfort through all the seasons.

Before they went in, Rāma performed the full vāstu pūjā. It included the Viśvadeva bali, the Rudra yāga, the Vaishṇava yāga, the pañca-sūna śānti, and the installation of Gaṇeśa and the other devas of the household. Only after this full ritual did the three enter and make the parṇaśālā their home. (Vālmīki Rāmāyaṇa, Ayodhyā Kāṇḍa, Chapter 56)

Events at Citrakūṭa

News of Daśaratha’s death reached Rāma here, through the arrival of Bharata. Bharata came from Ayodhyā with a great army to find Rāma and to beg him to come back and take the throne. Rāma stood firm in his purpose to keep Daśaratha’s word, and Bharata could not accept the throne. This meeting of the two brothers at Citrakūṭa is one of the best-known scenes of the Rāmāyaṇa.

At this meeting the ministers and ṛshis spoke on the question of dharma: should Rāma return, or stay in the forest? Jābāli, the nāstika ṛshi, argued that Rāma should return. Vasishṭha told the whole Ikshvāku line and advised Rāma on his duties. In the end Rāma held to his vow. Bharata went back to Ayodhyā with Rāma’s pādukā (sandals). He placed them on the throne at Nandigrāma, and ruled as regent while he waited for Rāma’s return. (Vālmīki Rāmāyaṇa, Ayodhyā Kāṇḍa, Chapters 80–100)

Rāma leaves Citrakūṭa

After some time Rāma decided to leave Citrakūṭa. There were two reasons.

The large camp of Bharata’s army had spoiled the purity of the āśrama. Dung, fires and camp refuse had disturbed the forest.
Citrakūṭa was now full of memories: Bharata’s grief, the news of Daśaratha’s death, and the family Rāma had left behind. The place could no longer serve as a true vānaprastha dwelling for him.

The ṛshis of the region also pressed him. Khara and his rākshasas were attacking the āśramas of the tāpasas (ascetics) who lived near Citrakūṭa. They threw impure things into the yajña fires, broke the homa vessels and killed ascetics. The ṛshis could no longer live there in safety. Rāma promised them protection, but he could not stop them from leaving for another ancient forest.

Soon after, Rāma himself left Citrakūṭa and entered the Daṇḍaka forest, going south. (Vālmīki Rāmāyaṇa, Ayodhyā Kāṇḍa, Chapters 116–117)

Sources

Vālmīki Rāmāyaṇa, Ayodhyā Kāṇḍa, Chapters 54–56, 80–100 and 116–117, and later chapters