RENUKA LAKE: A BLISS NEAR DELHI

 

 

Trekking n traveling is my passion and I love to explore the world. In the initial years of my married life, my wife remained a little bit skeptical about my passion. Though later on she accepted trekking n traveling as a good sport activity; rather she started relishing these activities. In the year 1994, I was posted at Alwar, 150 kms away from Delhi. I hail from a satellite town of Delhi and on the eve of 14^th August I was at my home town to meet my parents. I got a call on our land line phone from my Alwar office that some VIP is visiting Alwar on 15^th of August to celebrate his/her independence day and I was informed to resume my duties in the morning of 15^th of August. At 4 O’clock in the morning of 15^th August, I left my home to board bus for Alwar. I observed that at the farther end of our street, my childhood friends were preparing to leave for some place by their car. I approached them and asked them to drop me at the Bus stand. They all were overwhelmed to see me unexpectedly and that too in the wee hours. They happily accepted my request but as soon as  I boarded their car, they started persuading me to accompany them upto holy sarovar of Kurukshetra, Haryana and to postpone the visit to Alwar. They pleaded that the on that day Solar Eclipse was to occur and as per Indian mythology, it is believed very pious to take holy dip in the Sarovar of Kurukshetra. They also swayed me to remain ‘free’ on the Independence Day from all official or family obligations. I got convinced and got ready to accompany them, subject to they allow me boarding the bus from Kurukshetra to Alwar. I telephoned to my boss that I was not feeling well and telephoned to my wife that I shall be busy in Delhi owing to some official assignments.

 

            At 9 O’clock we reached at Holy Sarovar and it was a beautiful panoramic as well as sacred scene. The sarovar was shining like a silver sheet under the sparkling rays of the Sun. The devotees were taking holy dip and were chanting mantras. It was a very soothing and relaxing religious atmosphere. We all entered into the sarovar for holly dip. One of among us was a professional body builder. As soon as he unclothed for the holy dip, the mob surrounded him and requested, rather forced, him to show case some of his muscles. This episode completely turned all of us into joyous mood and I forgot all the stress as well as boarding the bus to Alwar.

 

            After the holy dip, it was planned to visit Pinjore garden 22 kilometers away from Chandigarh at Ambala-Shimla highway. The beautiful picturesque garden was built by the rulers of Patiala Dynasty in the 17^th century in Mughal style architecture. This is worth seeing garden and one must visit if he or she is visiting from Delhi to Shimla by road. We reached Pinjore gardens at 1 pm, the weather was very pleasant owing to monsoon season but unfortunately that day was Independence Day and there was a function to honour CM of Haryana. The garden was overcrowded and that suffocative atmosphere forced us to left Pinjore Gardens within half an hour stay. One of us compelled to get chilled beer. On 15^th August, the country also celebrates dry-day, but near the Pinjore Garden the police personnel, who were deployed on duty at Garden for CM’s visit, were buying/getting liquor at a full shutter open liquor license shop. Our stubborn friend also bought his ale in presence of police walas, like a rabbit gulping water from a forest pond in presence of member of big cat family. By the evening we planned to visit Holy Renuka lake situated in Sirmour region of Himachal Pradesh. Renuka lake may be approached  from Chandigarh (95 kms) or Ambala (95 kms) or Dehradun (105 kms). From Delhi it is around 300 kms and very good option for weekends.

 

From Chandigarh, one can reach to Renuka Lake following the route through Panchkula, Morni hills road and Nahan. It is a beautiful route through thick forest and water falls. On the way from Nahan to Renuka there is a splendid waterfall, especially during rains. We had a very nourishing recreational bath for almost an hour. Near that fall there was a small cave, which was inhabited by one Fakir Baba. He offered us Jalebi. We got astonished to see delicious Jalebi at such a remote place. The BSNL landline phone installed in that cave added wonders to our astonishment. The Fakir Baba, said ‘Sab Sukh Ram Baba ki kripa hai. I was amazed to see how he procured this landline phone without having formal documents, identities etc. necessarily required to get BSNL landline. We all recalled the line in rhyme, ‘it happens only in India’.

 

Though Renuka Lake is situated at 660 m above the sea level but the weather remains very pleasant throughout the year. Especially during monsoon and winter it is picturesque hilly spot near Delhi to explore. Goddess Renuka was the mother of Parsuram, the twelfth incarnation of God Vishnu. This is the largest lake of Himachal Pradesh having periphery of around 3.5 kilometers. It is surrounded by thick forest with plenty of interesting variety of flora and fauna. The spot is having a boating option as well. This place experiences only a few tourists, that increases your pleasure of peaceful boating in the tranquil lake. You can boat across the lake or drive to this zoo, which has Asiatic lions, spotted deers, lion tailed macaques, 'Nilgai' Methuen, barking deer and Himalayan black bears. Adjoining the zoo, an armored van enters the large enclosure allowing for a close glimpse of the lions within. The lake is having beautiful fishes and you can have joy of feeding them. Since this is a holy place, angling is strictly prohibited. The place is having enough options to stay like HPTDC hotel, private hotels and inns. Temple ashram is also good for stay, where one can mediate, can do yoga and can participate ‘Satsanga’. For foodies, the place may not have ample options but pure good vegetarian food is adequately available. We reached Renuka Lake by late evening and had a delicious food at lake side daba. It was a beautiful evening with clear sky and reflection of stars in the lake was conveying amazing delight. In the morning we visited Goddess Renuka Temple, it is a beautiful temple and one can feel the sacred and peaceful vibes in the temple area as well as in the vicinity. After breakfast we had boating in the holy lake and thereafter roaming in the forest in an armored van was also very thrilling &  exciting experience. By the lunch time we reached back to hotel.  After lunch and an hour nap we wandered around the local market and village. During the day, the intermittent rains increased our pleasure. We all were far away from the worries of hustles and bustles of the city.

 

            Next day in the morning we planned for a small 8 kms trek to Rishi Jamadgini temple. It is believed that at this place Rishi Jamadagini meditated. The trek has a gentle ascend and passes through the maize fields. On the way one of the farmers offered us roasted maize with Chhach. It was very delicious and was much tastier than French fries with cold drinks. We reached temple by noon and the glimpse of Renuka lake from this temple was wonderful. From that height it looks a sacred goddess sleeping calmly. This peak gives a beautiful panoramic view of the whole valley. At the temple a family was observing pooja and they offered us very delicious Prasad and tea. After an hour of rest we descended back and reached hotel by the evening. Next day we departed back with a blissful experience.