Kamadgiri

Kamadgiri is a wooded hill some 3 km from central Chitrakoot whose name translates as the mountain that grants wishes. It is counted as the holiest site of Chitrakoot Dham: Rama, Sita and Lakshmana are believed to have lived here through much of their exile, and its deity, Lord Kamtanath, is the chief god of Chitrakoot. Tradition says Brahma held the first yajna here with 108 fire altars, and that Rama, on leaving, promised to stay in spirit and bless all who circled the hill.

For this reason pilgrims walk around the hill instead of climbing it. The paved parikrama path runs about 5 km under neem, peepal and fig trees and takes three to four hours, usually barefoot after a dip at Ram Ghat. Shrines along it include the Bharat Milap Temple, Sakshi Gopal Temple and Lakshman Pahari, where Lakshmana is said to have stood guard.