Renukaji Temple - रेणुकाजी मंदिर

Renukaji Temple is a popular Hindu religious site in Nahan, Himachal Pradesh. It is believed that Devi Renuka is the incarnation of Devi Durga. A large number of devotees from Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab and Haryana come to visit Renukaji temple.

History and Architecture of Renukaji Temple
This temple was built in 1814 in memory of Devi Renuka, wife of sage Jamadagni and mother of Parashuram. It is said that Parashuram wanted to spend his life at the feet of his mother and that is why the mother-son duo meets every year during the beginning of the annual Renuka mela.

According to mythology, once sage Jamadagni became disappointed with his wife Renuka. As a result he ordered his son Parashuram to behead his mother. Parashurama followed his father's orders and killed his mother at the same place. Another legend describes that when King Sahastrarjuna was abducting Devi Renuka, she jumped onto the lake, which is today called Renuka Lake. Reportedly built overnight by the invading Gorkha army in the early 19th century, the original temple of Renukaji is located here.

The temple of Bhagwan Parshuram has been called by the name of Devi since ancient times. A few years ago the temple of Bhagwan Parshuram was renovated in Southern style.

Renukaji Temple Darshan Timings
Renukaji temple is open throughout the week and darshan timings are from 6 am to 8 pm.

Major festivals of Renukaji Temple
On the eve of Prabodhini Ekadashi at the Renukaji temple, the five-day Renuka fair begins with the religious ritual of the arrival of Renuka's son, Parashurama, at Renuka Lake in Himachal, believed to be the abode of the Devi. Devotees come from all over the country to see the union of mother and son.

How to reach Renukaji Temple?
Renukaji Temple is connected by road to Nahan, Himachal Pradesh. It is 315 km from Delhi and the nearest rail stations are at Ambala (95 km), Dehradun (105 km) and Chandigarh (95 km). The nearest airports are Chandigarh and Dehradun.