Sati Anusuya temple

About Sati Anusuya temple

The story of Anusuya tells that she sprinkled special water over the trinity of Brahma, Vishnu and Maheshwar, and that this led to their incarnations. It is also said that she offered sincere dedication in praise of god to end a famine, and that the town was then blessed with the river Mandakini. The ashram stands about fifteen kilometres south of Ramghat in dense forest and is dedicated to Maharshi Atri and his wife Sati Anasuya, who by her miraculous powers earned through penance transformed the three supreme gods into small babies, and who is believed to have brought down the Mandakini, held to be a streamlet of the Ganges. The ashram holds idols of Anasuya, Maharshi Atri and their sons Duttatreya, Durwasa and Chandrama, along with various other gods and sages. The famous Paramhans Ashram is nearby, named after the late Paramhans Parmanand Ji, believed to have attained the highest spiritual status and the founder of the ashram; his disciples have established a chain of ashrams mainly across north India.

Around the ashram

The idols in the ashram

The shrine holds idols of Sati Anasuya, her husband Maharshi Atri and their sons Duttatreya, Durwasa and Chandrama, with other gods and sages beside them. The family grouping is what distinguishes this shrine from the rest of Chitrakoot.

The Mandakini and the forest

The ashram sits in dense forest, and the Mandakini, which Anasuya is believed to have brought down, is part of the setting. The drive out through the forest is as much of the visit as the shrine.

Paramhans Ashram

Close by is the Paramhans Ashram, named for Paramhans Parmanand Ji, its founder. His disciples went on to establish a chain of ashrams mainly in north India, and the place is still active.

Planning your visit

At roughly fifteen kilometres south of Ramghat and through forest, this is a half day trip rather than a stop between town sights.

• Take a vehicle and set out in the morning to be back before dusk.
• Combine it with the nearby Paramhans Ashram in the same run.
• Carry water and avoid depending on shops along the forest road.
• Keep to daylight hours on the forest stretch.

Best time to visit

October to March is the best period, when the forest road is in good condition and the weather suits the drive. The monsoon turns the surroundings lush but the approach can be difficult. Mornings are preferable throughout the year, both for light in the forest and to avoid returning after dark.