Chitrakoot’s Divine Revival: Yogi Govt Spurs Spiritual and Infrastructure Renaissance

After Kashi and Ayodhya, Chitrakoot emerges as the next spiritual hotspot

Yogi govt forms Chitrakoot Dham Tirtha Vikas Parishad for overall development of the place

Yogi govt approves Rs 50 crores for development of tourist facilities

Connectivity will get better with Chitrakoot Link Expressway, Ram Vanagaman Marg, and Satna Greenfield Highway

Lucknow, April 18

Once notorious for its dreaded bandit gangs, Chitrakoot is illuminated by the light of development today. The same land where outlaws like Dadua, Thokia, Radhe, Babli Kol, Gauri Yadav, Sadhna Patel, and Goppa once ran parallel regimes—instilling fear and even swaying political outcomes—has now shed its dark past under the decisive leadership of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath.

Chitrakoot, deeply revered as Lord Shri Ram’s favoured land during his exile, holds immense spiritual and historical significance. Here, Ram, along with Sita and Lakshman, spent the longest part of their exile—finding peace among the forests, rivers, and sages.

In his Ramcharitmanas, Tulsidas beautifully captures this divine connection, describing Chitrakoot as a place of natural beauty, serenity, and spiritual energy. In these forests, Ram met Bharat, setting an eternal example of brotherly love, and engaged with the Kol and Kirat communities, spreading the message of social harmony.

Today, that same Chitrakoot is witnessing a renaissance. With the personal initiative and commitment of CM Yogi, Chitrakoot is reclaiming its past glory—not through legends alone, but through concrete development. The Chitrakoot Dham Teerth Vikas Parishad’s establishment laid the foundation for systematic growth. Enhanced connectivity via the Bundelkhand Expressway and the region’s first airport—nestled in the hills—has brought this sacred land closer to the rest of the country.

Tourism is thriving, with a noticeable rise in footfall, especially during events like the Prayagraj Mahakumbh, where reverse tourism brought countless pilgrims to Chitrakoot. Anticipating further growth, the Yogi government is continually upgrading infrastructure and amenities to provide pilgrims and visitors a comfortable, enriching experience.

Chitrakoot is once again becoming what it was in the Treta Yug—a serene, sacred haven radiating peace, devotion, and progress.

In a major decision taken during the cabinet meeting held on April 8, the Uttar Pradesh government approved a budget of Rs 50 crore to enhance tourism infrastructure in Chitrakoot. A significant portion of this will be used to upgrade facilities at key stopovers along the Ram Van Gaman Path, with Rs 12 crore allocated specifically for improving existing tourist facilities. Additionally, a state-of-the-art Tourist Facility Centre will be constructed at Devangana, near the airport, at an estimated cost of Rs 17.56 crore.

Furthering Chitrakoot’s spiritual and aesthetic appeal, Rs 20.45 crore has been earmarked for the comprehensive development of the Kamadgiri Parikrama Marg. First instalments—ranging from Rs 50 to Rs 75 lakh—have already been released for several of these projects. These include beautification works at locations deeply connected with Lord Ram’s exile such as the Mandakini River, Tulsi Das’s birthplace in Rajapur, and Maharishi Valmiki’s ashram in Lalpur.

Chitrakoot is emerging as a prominent spiritual and cultural destination after Ayodhya and Kashi. Before the Mahakumbh, the town saw an average of 2,500 vehicles arriving daily, surging to 7,000 during the Kumbh.

On weekends and holidays, the number touched 14,000—highlighting the growing popularity of Chitrakoot among pilgrims and tourists. Adding to the attraction is a newly developed ropeway under the PPP model, which is further drawing interest.

However, the Yogi government’s vision for Chitrakoot extends beyond tourism. It aims to make the region a hub for investment. The Prayagraj-Chitrakoot Development Area has been formed, comprising six districts: Prayagraj, Chitrakoot, Fatehpur, Banda, Kaushambi, and Hamirpur.

CM Yogi Adityanath announced this initiative during the Mahakumbh. It is designed to attract tourists and investors. Notably, Chitrakoot is also one of the six key nodes of the UP Defence Corridor.

The transformation of Chitrakoot began in earnest in 2017, with the ascension of CM Yogi Adityanath. Recognizing the deep cultural and global resonance of Shri Ram, the government launched several initiatives including the Ramayana Conclave, Ramayana Mela, Digital Ramayana Gallery, and a Water Screen Laser Show, with an investment of ₹52 crore.

Tour operators were also roped in to brand Chitrakoot as a major spiritual tourism destination. In its second term, the government prioritized world-class infrastructure and branding for selected religious sites, with Chitrakoot as a key focus.

Connectivity too is being rapidly enhanced. The Chitrakoot Link Expressway is being integrated with the Bundelkhand Expressway via the Prayagraj-Rewa route. Union Road Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari has announced a four-lane greenfield expressway connecting Satna to Chitrakoot, which is underway as part of the Bharatmala Project. This will strengthen Chitrakoot’s connectivity with Madhya Pradesh and Mumbai.

Additionally, the Centre is investing Rs 11,000 crore in developing the Ram Van Gaman Marg from Ayodhya to Chitrakoot, slated for completion by 2026. This will improve access to significant points from Shri Ram’s exile, such as Shringverpur—where Ram met Nishad Raj, marking a powerful symbol of social harmony. A grand statue commemorating this moment has also been installed.

With spiritual legacy and infrastructure converging, Chitrakoot is experiencing a resurgence. Under Yogi Adityanath’s leadership, it is reclaiming its place as both a divine destination and a beacon of progress.