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/Renuka Devi Temple (Renuka Ji, Sirmaur)
Shakti Peeth
Renuka Devi Temple (Renuka Ji, Sirmaur)
रेणुका देवी मंदिर (रेणुका जी, सिरमौर)
Location
Renuka Ji (Renukaji), Himachal Pradesh
Darshan
06:00 – 20:00
Deity
🪔Maa Renuka Devi — associated with Renuka, mother of Parashuram; patron goddess of Sirmaur
Entry
Free entry
Approximate timings for Renuka Ji temple; verify locally. Timings extend during the annual Renuka Ji Fair (November). Morning and evening aartis are the main worship events.
Renuka Ji is the presiding deity of Sirmaur district and one of Himachal Pradesh's most revered goddesses. The temple is situated on the shore of Renuka Lake — HP's largest natural lake, approximately 2.5 km in circumference — which is believed to be the physical embodiment of the goddess Renuka herself: the lake's shape, according to local tradition, mirrors the reclining form of the goddess. The site is part of the Himachal Pradesh Char Dham pilgrimage (Chintpurni, Jwala Ji, Naina Devi, Renuka Ji), making it one of four essential Shakti sites for HP devotees. Adjacent to the main Renuka lake and temple is the smaller Parashuram Tal (Parashuram Lake), associated with the legendary son of Renuka.
History
The Renuka Ji site has ancient roots in the Puranic traditions surrounding the Parashuram legend. The Sirmaur region was historically under the Sirmaur Princely State; the royal family maintained patronage of the Renuka Ji temple. The annual fair (mela) at Renuka Ji is one of the oldest and most important in Himachal Pradesh, associated with the narrative of Parashuram's annual return to visit his mother.
Mythology
The mythology of Renuka Ji is inseparable from the Parashuram legend: — Renuka was the wife of sage Jamadagni and mother of Parashuram (Vishnu's sixth avatar) — Her momentary distraction while at the riverbank led her husband to doubt her purity; he commanded his sons to behead her; only Parashuram obeyed — Jamadagni, pleased with Parashuram's obedience, offered him any boon; he asked for his mother's restoration to life, which was granted — At Renuka Ji (Sirmaur), Renuka is believed to have been transformed into the lake itself; the local tradition holds this site as the place of her presence — The annual Renuka Ji Fair reenacts Parashuram's visit to see his mother, culminating in the arrival of the Parashuram procession at the lakeside
06:00–07:00
Pratah Aarti (Morning Aarti)
Morning aarti at the Renuka Ji temple; opens the day's darshan
~18:00–19:00
Sandhya Aarti (Evening Aarti)
Evening aarti; lamps lit around the lake and temple; most atmospheric time to visit
~19:30–20:00
Shayan Aarti
Night closing aarti