Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu will inaugurate the six-day International Shri Renukaji Fair on Friday at Renukaji, located about 32 km from Nahan, officials said.
The fair, the biggest annual religious gathering in Sirmour district, attracts over 10 lakh devotees from northern India. It will conclude on Kartik Purnima, November 5, with Governor Shiv Pratap Shukla presiding over the closing ceremony.
According to the Renuka Development Board, chaired by Vinay Kumar, Deputy Speaker of the Assembly, the event will start w0ith the arrival of Lord Parashuram’s palanquin from his ancient temple in Jammu village to the banks of Renuka Lake on Friday.
Officials said extensive arrangements have been made for security, cleanliness, fresh water, and other facilities.
Nearly half a dozen palanquins of different deities from across the district will join the traditional religious procession (shobhayatra) of Lord Parashuram. The procession will begin from Dadahu in the afternoon and reach the lake in the evening after covering about three kilometres.
Earlier, a “Deva Abhinandan” ceremony will be held at Dadahu on the banks of the Giri Ganga river when Parashuram’s palanquin arrives. Traditionally, the chief minister takes part in this ritual.
Swami Purnanand Giri, a revered seer who has been part of the procession for four decades, said lakhs of devotees from Delhi, Uttarakhand, Punjab, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh join the celebrations each year.
According to legend, Lord Parashuram visits his mother, Shri Renukaji, every year on the eve of Hariprabodhini Ekadashi from his temple at Jammu Koti hillock near Renukaji.
The holy dip in Renuka Lake on Hariprabodhini Ekadashi will be held on November 1 from 3 a.m. till evening, while the Kartik Purnima Snan will take place on November 5. After the ritual bath, Parashuram will bid farewell to his mother in a “Dev Vidai” ceremony, marking the conclusion of the fair with traditional fervour.
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