Located in the Kamadgiri Hill in Chitrakoot, Madhya Pradesh, near the Mandakini River, the Bharat Milap Mandir is a sacred place where devotees honor the meeting of Lord Rama and his brother Bharat during Rama’s exile. If you plan to visit this holy ground, here is a simple guide of its past, and how to reach it.
Notable Fact: The temple marks the spot where Rama and Bharat’s emotional meeting left footprints in melted rocks, a sign of their deep love, still seen today.
Overview of Bharat Milap Mandir
The Bharat Milap Mandir sits halfway along the Kamadgiri Hill’s parikrama path in Chitrakoot, a town split between Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh. “Milap” means meeting, and the temple recalls when Bharat met Rama to beg him to return to Ayodhya’s throne. The small shrine, built in North Indian style, holds idols of Rama, Sita, Lakshmana, and Bharat, and shows footprints of Rama, Bharat, Lakshmana, Shatrughna, Sita, and Queen Kaushalya. Old tales say their love was so strong, the rocks softened, leaving these marks. The temple is part of Chitrakoot’s holy sites, tied to Rama’s 11-year stay during his 14-year exile.
History of Bharat Milap Mandir
No stone mark tells the temple’s exact age, but it stands where the Ramayana says Bharat met Rama, as told in Valmiki’s epic and Tulsidas’ Ramcharitmanas. During Rama’s exile, Bharat, refusing Ayodhya’s throne, came to Chitrakoot with his army and kin to urge Rama’s return. Rama, bound by his father’s word, refused, but gave Bharat his padukas (footwear). Bharat took them to Nandigrama, ruling as Rama’s servant till his return. The meeting was so heartfelt, rocks melted, leaving footprints, says the Ramcharitmanas. Over time, devotees built this shrine to honor that love.
Architecture of Bharat Milap Mandir
The Bharat Milap Mandir is a small, plain shrine, set on Kamadgiri Hill’s parikrama path, about 5 kilometers from Chitrakoot town. Built in North Indian style, it has a low wall and a tiny gopura-like top, simple but holy. Its main draw is three rock slabs with footprints: one for Rama and Bharat, one for Lakshmana and Shatrughna, and one for Sita and Kaushalya, shielded by a thin stone cover. Inside, a small hall holds idols of Rama, Sita, Lakshmana, and Bharat, dressed in bright cloth, lit by oil lamps, real holy. The walls are plain, with faint marks of old prayers, neat and true.
No grand spire or pillars mark this place, just a small yard open to the hill’s green view. The Mandakini River, a short walk away, serves for holy baths. The temple’s stones tell of Rama’s exile, guiding them who walk the parikrama. The air is quiet, warm, peaceful, pulling hearts to Bharat’s devotion.
Sculptures of Bharat Milap Mandir
The temple has few carvings, its glory in the footprints on rock slabs. These marks, said to be from Rama, Bharat, Lakshmana, Shatrughna, Sita, and Kaushalya, are plain but deep, cut by love’s heat, per old tales. The idols inside—Rama with a bow, Sita at his side, Lakshmana with a fan, Bharat kneeling—are small, stone, dressed in cloth, and fine. The walls show faint Ramayana scenes—Rama’s exile, Bharat’s plea—cut simple and true. A nearby shrine for Tulsidas, who wrote of this meeting, has his small statue, neat work. The stones speak of brotherly love, making hearts feel Rama’s grace.
Rituals and Prayers
The temple sees simple rites daily. Ram Navami in April brings massive crowds, including all-night bhajans and worshipping Rama with milk. Diwali in October glows the temple with lamps, recalling Rama’s return. During Somwati Amavasya, Sharad-Poornima, and Makar-Sankranti, devotees walk the parikrama, offering flowers. Special prayers, like Ram Path, is performed by devotees. A stall gives free tilak, red tilak, as prasad. On full moon days in October or November, locals stage a play of Rama and Bharat’s meeting, real lively. The Mandakini’s banks see holy baths on big days, pulling all to pray.
How to Get There:
Air: Prayagraj Airport, 116 km away, is closest. Taxis take 3 hours, cost ₹2000–3000, a steady trip.
Train: Karwi Station, 8 km away, links to Delhi, 10 hours long. Autos cost ₹100–200, a small fare.
Road: Buses from Satna, 75 km away, reach Chitrakoot in 2 hours. Taxis cost ₹1000–2000, calm roads, steady roads.
Places to Stay:
Chitrakoot has guesthouses like UP Tourism Bhawan, ₹800–1500, plain rooms. Hotels like Hotel Ram Kripa, ₹2000–4000, are fine and neat. Stalls sell poha, kachori, tea, warm tea.
Best Time to Visit: October to March, cool air, 15–25°C. Weekdays are quiet, real quiet. Ram Navami is crowded, plan early, plan well.
Nearby Attractions:
Ram Ghat, 2 km away, a holy riverbank, lively and calm.
Kamadgiri Temple, 1 km off, a Rama shrine, sacred hill.
Gupt Godavari Caves, 10 km away, holy caves, fine stones.
Hanuman Dhara Temple, 4 km off, a Hanuman shrine, high hill.
Sati Anusuya Temple, 15 km away, a sage’s shrine, calm spot.
Final Thoughts
Bharat Milap Mandir in Chitrakoot, Madhya Pradesh, is a sacred gem in India’s heart. The love of Rama and Bharat touches them who come, making it a place you must see among India’s holy spots. Its plain stones, holy footprints, and quiet air draw the soul, bring calm, bring faith. Walk its path, see its marks, feel its holy light, true light.
