Watch the Evening Aarti 🕯️
As the sun sets, priests perform a grand aarti to the Mandakini with brass lamps, conch shells and bells.
The reflection of hundreds of diyas on the dark river water creates a sight that many visitors call unforgettable.
Ram Ghat: Where Stories, Saints & River Meet
Your journey to Chitrakoot is incomplete without walking down to Ram Ghat. It is more than just steps by the river – it is the spiritual living room of this holy town.
From early morning to late night, you will find sadhus, families, pilgrims and travelers sitting on these steps, watching the calm Mandakini and feeling a quiet sense of peace.
Sacred Legends of Ram Ghat
Lord Rama’s Exile Years
During their 14-year exile, Lord Rama, Goddess Sita and Lakshmana are believed to have spent many years in the forests around Chitrakoot.
Ram Ghat is remembered as the spot where they would come to bathe in the Mandakini River. For many devotees, each step of the ghat feels like a footprint of divinity.
Tulsidas Meets Lord Rama
Saint-poet Goswami Tulsidas, author of the Ramcharitmanas, longed for a direct vision of Lord Rama while living in Chitrakoot.
One day, as he prepared sandalwood paste at Ram Ghat, Lord Rama appeared before him in the form of a child and asked for a tilak. At first, Tulsidas did not recognize Him.
To reveal the truth, Hanuman softly uttered the famous doha, and Tulsidas understood that the child before him was none other than Lord Rama Himself.
“Chitrakoot ke ghat par, bhai santan ki bheer,
Tulsidas chandan ghise, Tilak det Raghubeer.”
What to Experience at Ram Ghat
Take a Boat Ride 🛶
Colorful boats line the riverbank. You can hire one and glide along the Mandakini while listening to local legends from the boatmen.
From the middle of the river, the illuminated ghat and temples look even more beautiful.
Take a Holy Dip 🌊
Devotees believe that bathing in the Mandakini at Ram Ghat washes away sins and brings inner calm.
Early morning is the best time – cool air, gentle chants and a peaceful atmosphere.
Best Time to Visit Ram Ghat
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Morning (5:00 AM – 8:00 AM)
Perfect for meditation, a quiet walk and a refreshing holy bath before the ghat becomes busy.
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Evening (6:00 PM – 7:30 PM)
Ideal time to witness the grand aarti, floating diyas and the glowing night view of the ghat.
Tip: During weekends and festivals, arrive 30–40 minutes early for
the evening aarti to find a good place to sit.
Ram Ghat – More Than a Place
“When you sit on the steps of Ram Ghat, watching the river and
listening to the name of Rama in the air, it feels less like a
tourist spot and more like a quiet conversation with the divine.”