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| The Renuka lake is surrounded by lush green forests
supporting a variety of animal and bird life. Renuka lake is not only
an idyllic holiday resort but also revered Pilgrim centre. Renuke
lake is connected by road and lies in Sirmour district. It is 123
km from Parwanoo, 60 km from Paonta Sahib amd 37 km from Nahan. With
a circumference of 3214 m, Renuka lake is the largest natural lake
in Himachal. It is shaped like a sleeping women. Renuka was killed
by her own son, the legendary Parsu Ram, in obedience to the orders
of his father-the sage Jamadagni. After the deed was done, lake Renuka
was formed surrounded by stepped fields of golden corn. Today the
myth is brought to the fore when, each year in November, a fair is
held to celebrate the immortality of Renuka and her son. The key-notes
of the colourful fair are the festivity and devotional exuberance.
It lasts for a week in which cultural programmes and folk dances are
organised for the entertainment of visitors. Several idols of Parsu
Ram, believed to be the incarnation of Lord Vishnu and other local
deities, placed in decorated palanquins, are carried by an impressive
procession to Parsu Ram Tal. Before the idols are installed in the
temple, they are given a bath in this holy lake symbolising the body
of the mother. |
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| The poeple from the surroundings areas
gather here, chant praises of the two immortals, worship at the temple
and take a dip in the holy water. An old ceremony takes place as the
celebrants exchange turbans or caps or even a handful of water to
become brothers and sister in the name of the deity. On the eve of
the festival, markets springs up with stalls and amusements at which
locally made wares are peddled together with home grown produce. Boating
facilities are available in this lake for the tourists. The lake rests
in a long valley and the surrounding slopes are covered with a variety
of vegetation and thick woods. Boating is available on the lake. |
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Renuka : General Information |
| Altitude :- |
660 meters |
| Headquarter :- |
Nahan ( altitude 933 meters
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| Location :- |
in district Sirmaur |
| Access by Air :- |
The nearest airport in Himachal is Jubbarhatti
158 km. |
| Access by Rail :- |
Nearest broad guage line is Yamunanagar
106 km. |
| Access by Road :- |
Almost each and every part of the state
is linked by roads. The Himachal Road Transport Corporation is running
its buses covering the whole state. There is huge network of HRTC
to cater the needs of the people. |
| Distance :- |
Nahan 36 km., Shimla to Renuka 165 km.,
Delhi to Renuka Lake 315 km. Chandigarh to Renuka Lake 123 km. |
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Famous Places around Renuka :- |
| The Math :- The main temple at Renuka 'The Math'
was constructed by the invading Gurkhas in 1814. The temple houses
an excellent image of Renuka Devi. |
| Mini Zoo :- A small zoological park on the banks
on the Renuka lake has good collection of the local fauna. |
Renuka Sanctuary :- Spread over 400 hectares of
wood and grass land surrounding the sacred and picturesque Renuka
lake, this Wildlife Sanctuary despite its small size, harbours several
species of deer like Chital, Sambhar and Barking Deer. The threatened
Kaleej pheasant and the more common Red jungle fowl are also found
here.
The Renuka Lake and temple attract pilgrims from far and near. An
added attraction is the lion safari. The sanctuary can be visited
all the year round and is easily approachable from Chandigarh or Dehradun. |
| Choordhar :- Dominating the entire landscape of
fields, forests and ravines is the Choordhar peak, which rises to
3,647 metres above sea level and is a trekking treat from Nahan walks.
Approached by way of Dadahu, Sangarh, Bhawai, Gandhuri and Nahura
it is a 50 km. trek. A less taxing journey is by taxi or car to Nahura
and thereafter a walk of 16 km. The climb is difficult but rewarding.
The peak offers a fine view in south of the Gangetic plains and the
Satluj river and towards north the Badrinath, a well known Hindu pilgrim
centre. Also seen are the hills of Chakrata and Shimla from the top.
An alternative route to Choordhar is through Rajgarh an orchard country. |
| Wild Life Park :- Around Renuka lake
there is a Wild Life Park which has a number of Sambhar, Chital, Barking
Deer and Hob Deer. These animals can be seen from the machans erected
at the head of grassy glade early in the morning and late in the evening.
Lions can also be seen from a closed jeep. |
| Gayatri Temple :- On the left bank
of the Renuka lake there are three Ashrams run by Sadhus and these
have inns to accommodate pilgrims visiting this sacred lake. Gayatri
temple has a 1.60 meter high Panch Mukhi Ma Gayatri marble statue,
marble idols of Ganpati, Lord Vishnu, Lord Shiva, Lord Brahma and
Lord Indra have also been installed here. This temple is dedicated
to Sri Ma Gayatri the mother of Vedas, the treasure of Hindu wisdom. |
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