Renuka Lake - रेणुका झील
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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.
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.
Renuka Lake is a jewel in the hills of the Sirmour District of Himachal Pradesh. The lake is believed to be the embodiment of Renukaji, sage Jamadagini's wife and the mother of Parshurama - one of the ten `avatars' of Lord Vishnu Shaped like a sleeping woman, the lake is teeming with fish which are regarded as holy and hence cannot be fished Small children sell balls of dough which the pilgrims feed the fish who throng the shores Here are some photographs of the lake and a tradition steeped in spirituality.
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.
Renuka Lake is a jewel in the hills of the Sirmour District of Himachal Pradesh. The lake is believed to be the embodiment of Renukaji, sage Jamadagini's wife and the mother of Parshurama - one of the ten `avatars' of Lord Vishnu Shaped like a sleeping woman, the lake is teeming with fish which are regarded as holy and hence cannot be fished Small children sell balls of dough which the pilgrims feed the fish who throng the shores Here are some photographs of the lake and a tradition steeped in spirituality.
 Photo by : karnail in flickr |
 Photo by : fro3enfire (Highway Huns) in flickr |
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