Five-day Shri Renukaji Fair from November 11 in Sirmaur
The International Shri Renukaji Fair, a vibrant festival symbolising the reunion of Mother Renuka and her son, Lord Parshuram, will commence on November 11 in Sirmaur, Himachal Pradesh. Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu will inaugurate the fair, with Governor Shiv Pratap Shukla scheduled to attend the closing ceremony on November 15.
Sumit Khimta, Deputy Commissioner of Sirmaur and Vice-Chairman of the Shri Renukaji Development Board, shared the event’s detailed schedule. The Chief Minister will arrive in Dadahu at 1.15 pm on November 11, followed by a procession of Lord Parshuram’s idol at 1.20 pm. He will proceed to the Parshuram Temple at 4.15 pm for prayers before officially launching the development exhibitions at 4:30 pm. The fair will officially open at 5.30 pm at the Renuka Stage, where the Chief Minister will address attendees. The opening day will conclude with a cultural night at 7 pm, featuring traditional dance and music.
On November 12, festivities will begin with the sacred Ekadashi bath at Renuka Lake at 4 am, accompanied by devotional music. A grand wrestling competition will follow at noon, and another cultural night showcasing local performances will be held at 6 pm. November 13 and 14 will feature traditional music and dance performances, highlighting the region’s rich heritage. Each evening will include cultural nights, celebrating Himachal Pradesh’s musical traditions.
The festival’s final day, November 15, coincides with the auspicious Kartik Purnima. Devotees will gather at Renuka Lake for a ritual bath at 4 am. Later, Governor Shiv Pratap Shukla will perform a prayer ceremony at the Parshuram Temple at 2 pm. and bid farewell to the deity at 3.15 pm. The Governor will also inspect exhibitions and address the gathering at 4.15 pm, marking the fair’s official closure. The last cultural night will start at 6 pm, drawing the week-long celebration to a grand finale. The Shri Renukaji Fair is expected to attract thousands of devotees, offering a blend of religious devotion and cultural heritage that captures the essence of Himachal Pradesh’s traditions.
