The Renuka Fair

Renuka Fair, celebrated in the month of November, is held on the banks of Renuka lake in Sirmour Distt. It falls on the eleventh day after Diwali.

According to a legend Lord Parashuram and his mother, Goddess Renuka, meet for one-and-a-half day between Dashmi and Ekadashi every year, and to commemorate this meeting the fair is organised. This fair also highlights a mother’s love for her child.

During this fair, the idols of Parashuram from various temples are brought here to dip in the sacred lake. It is believed that the Goddess appears beneath the surface of the water of the lake to bless her son. There is a temple dedicated to Parashuram nearby.

Shri Renuka Ji: On the eve of Devprabodini Akadshi the Five day long state level Shri Renuka Ji fair as begin with the arrival of son Lord Parshuram at Shri Renuka Ji Lake in Himachal, the home of his divine mother Shri Renuka Ji. During five day fair several lakhs of devotees from all over the country arrives here to witness the holy occasion of divine meeting of Lord Parshum & his mother Renuka Ji. According to Purans the Renuka Tirth is considered as birth place of Lord Parshuram, the sixth incarnation of Lord Vishnu. Maharish Yamdagni and his wife Bhagwati Renuka Ji had meditated for long time at a hillock known as Tape Ka Tiba near Renuka lake. With the blessings of Lord Shiva, Lord Shri Hari Vishnu fulfilled divine promise and took birth as their son. Sixth incarnation of Lord Vishnu and son of Renuka Ji pleased Lord Shiva with the performation of Tapa [high intensity mediation] got a new name Parshuram after getting divine weapon Parshu from Lord Shiva. He has been referred every where in the Shashtras with the popular name Parshuram and not his childhood name Ram [as per Brahmand Puran], which he got from his parents.

He always supported the cause of good governance where worries of every citizen are addressed judiciously by therulers. To get people rid of atrocities of cruel rulers Lord Parshuram eliminated 21 times, cruel and atrocious rulers from the earth. He also killed King Sahastrabahu and his Army as King had attacked Tape ka Tiba Ashram in his absence, to get the Kamdhenu cow from Maharishi. After Maharishi pleaded that the Kamdhenu Cow was given him by Lord Indra in trust and he can not breach the trust by passing it to someone else. Shastrabahu killed Maharishi Jamdagni. Lord Parshurams mother Bhagwati Renuka Ji jumped in the Ram Sarovar and took Jal Samadhi. Purans narrates that Ram Sarovar immediately took the shape of a lady and since than it is known as Renuka Ji Lake.

After eliminating Sahashtrabahu in fierce battle he gave a new life to his father with his divine powers and came on the bank of the Lake and prayed his mother to come out of the Lake. Mother responded to his prayers and lord vowed in her feet. She said that she will permanently live in the Lake, but on the request of Lord Parshuram she promised that she will come out of the Lake on the occasion of Devprabodhini Ekadashi every year to meet her son. Bhagwati also promised that people gracing this pious occasion of mothers affection and sons devotion, would be showered with divine blessings.

One day advance, on Dashmi the palanquin of Lord Parshuram is brought to Renuka Ji from the ancient temple in Jamu Koti village in traditional procession known a ‘Shobha Yatra’, attended by lakhs of devotees.

The holy dip in the Lake on the occasion of Devprabodhini Ekadashi would take place on 29^th of October from 3.00 A.M. in the wee hours onwards. Holy dip on the occasion of Kartik Purnima would take place on 2^nd of November. The palanquin departs after performing Purnima Sanan in the holy Lake and the fair would conclude. Around 12 lakhs of devotees across India visits this state level fair to pay obeisance to Bhagwati Renuka, Lord Parshuram and take holy dip in the Lake.

Saints from every parts of country have arrived at Renuka Ji to witness holy and divine assembly of mother and son. The administration has made all the necessary arrangements for peaceful holding the fair. Elaborate security arrangements have been made keeping view terrorist activities in the different parts of the country.

Renuka Tirtha Bachao Samiti has demanded to leave at least half of the Mela ground vacant for the Lakhs of devotees visiting the Tirtha to spent a night as per ancient tradition. They expressed concern as visitors have to face numerous problems on the Tirtha as all the space in the Mela ground is leased out to the traders on very high price and there is no space left to the lakhs of devotees throng from the different parts of the country. As per tradition Ratri Jagran on the Tirtha is must for visitors but in the absence of any space to sit or take rest people had to rush back to their homes without completing the traditional Pooja