Bharat Milap Mandir in Chitrakoot marks the sacred spot where Bharata met Lord Rama to persuade Him to return to Ayodhya giving away the vanavasa of fourteen years. It is located on the parikrama path of Kamadgiri Hill in the sacred land of Chitrakoot in the Indian state of Madhya Pradesh. This sacred spot is mentioned explicitly in the Valmiki Ramayana and the Ramcharitmanas.
In this temple are the lotus footprints of Lord Ramachandra and His brother Bharata. Even the stones and rocks were excited at the union of the two brothers as per the authority of the Sri Ramcharitmanas. It remains the perfect example of divine brotherly love.
Lila of Bharat Milap Mandir
The meeting of Bharata and His brother Lord Rama is explicitly described in the Ramayana. Bharata is an epitome of devotion to Lord Ramachandra. Bhakti-bharita-bharata; His surrender to Lord Ramachandra scared the devatas too.
During the Treta-yuga, King Dasharatha, who descended in the Surya-vamsha i.e. Solar dynasty, ruled over Ayodhya. When the King felt that Lord Rama was fit to rule the kingdom, he proclaimed Lord Rama’s coronation. Knowing this, Manthara, the servant of Queen Kaikeyi, reminded the queen about the promise of two boons made by King Dasharatha.
Manthara persuaded the queen that she should demand the crown for her son Bharata and the exile of Lord Rama into the forest for 14 years as part of the two boons she could ask from the king. Being persuaded hardly by Manthara, Queen Kaikeyi demanded the same from King Dasharatha. Lord Rama was summoned by the queen to communicate her decision. The Lord gladly accepted the decision upon hearing it.
Without the slightest hesitation, Lord Rama obeyed His father and King Dasharatha, leaving the kingdom for the forest along with His eternal consort Sita Devi and brother Lakshmana.
Bharata sets out to bring back Lord Rama
Bharata was not in Ayodhya when these events took place. When he reached Ayodhya, he was apprised of everything. Being a very dharmic and devoted brother, Bharata could not tolerate staying in Ayodhya without the shelter of His loving brother Lord Rama.
He could not think of sitting on the throne of Ayodhya when Lord Rama was the most qualified King and even the most beloved of His citizens. He was shocked that Lord Rama could ever go into exile in the forest and thus, became angry with Queen Kaikeyi for her decision. At once, he decided to bring back Lord Rama to Ayodhya.
After performing the final rites of Maharaja Dasharatha, Bharata set out immediately with His brother Shatrughna and other eminent citizens of Ayodhya to bring back Lord Rama. Bharata’s devotion to Lord Rama and His intense desire to bring back Lord Rama had a unique effect all around as seen below.
The following is a Chaupai from the Sri Ramcharitmanas by Sri Tulsidas:
द्रवहिं बचन सुनि कुलिस पषाना| पुरजन प्रेमु न जाई बखाना| बीच बास करि जमुनही आए निरखि नीरू लोचन जल छाए|
The above Chaupai means that when Bharata was going from Ayodhya towards Chitrakoot to meet His brother Lord Ramachandra, all the stones and rocks on the path melted. The Chaupai depicts the love that Bharata had for Lord Rama. The brothers met in Chitrakoot where Their footprints got imprinted on a rock due to the intensity of love between Them. This specific meeting spot was worshipped by constructing the Bharat Milap Mandir.
Lord Rama disagreed to go back to Ayodhya to respect His father’s words to Kaikeyi. Neither could Bharata go back and rule Ayodhya alone. He took the padukas i.e. footwear of Lord Rama and went to Nandigrama near Ayodhya.
From Nandigrama, Bharata ruled on behalf of Lord Rama after installing Lord Rama’s padukas on a pedestal and worshipping them. All the ministers of Ayodhya used to go to Nandigrama to consult with Bharata on matters of administration. This process continued till the time Lord Rama came back after 14 years post the killing of Ravana.
Deities of Bharat Milap Mandir
Beautiful Deities of Lord Rama, Sita Devi, Lakshmana and Bharata can be seen in the Bharat Milap Mandir complex. There are Deities of Lord Rama giving His Padukas to Bharata, Lord Rama hugging Bharata, Lakshmana meeting Shatrughna and Sita Devi meeting Queen Kaushalya. Not to forget the Deity of Sri Tulsidas.
Footprints are the main attraction here
The footprints are the central attraction in the temple. In fact, the temple entrance mentions that it is Bharat Milap Charan Chinh Mandir. There are three sets of footprints here.
The first rock slab depicts the footprints of Bharata and Lord Rama. The second rock slab depicts the footprints of Lakshmana and Shatrughna. And the third rock slab depicts the footprints of Sita Devi and Queen Kaushalya.
These footprints are protected by a small wall covering with a small gopura-like structure above in the North Indian architectural style.
Temple Timings of Bharat Milap Mandir
You can Bharat Milap Mandir anytime between 5AM early morning to 9 PM in the night.
How to Reach Bharat Milap Mandir
Having the darshan of Lord Rama’s lotus footprints is no ordinary activity. If you are excited to visit the holy place where Lord Rama met Bharata, none can be better than the Ayodhya-Kashi Yatra conducted by Tirtha Yatra.
The temple is five kilometres away from Chitrakoot town on the Kamadgiri parikrama path. Hence, you have to reach Chitrakoot town in order to visit the temple. Multiple mode of transportation serves the town. You can choose as per your convenience –
By Road: Chitrakoot is well connected by regular bus service from cities and towns in both Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh. This includes private bus services as well as state bus services from Prayagraj, Lucknow, Kanpur, Varanasi, Satna and more places.
At a distance of 75 to 80 kms, Satna is the nearest city. Alternatively, you can hire taxis from these cities.
By Rail: Chitrakutdham Karwi Railway Station is the nearest railway station at a distance of 8 to 10 kms. You can alight here and catch a bus or hire a taxi to Chitrakoot.
By Air: The Bamrauli Airport in Prayagraj is the nearest airport at a distance of 111 kms. You can fly in here and use the rail or road route to reach Chitrakoot. In the future, you will be able to fly into Chitrakoot Dham Karwi Airport post inauguration.
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