[wanderernomad]

Based at Chandigarh gives you an added advantage to be able to drive off to various weekend destinations in Himachal. One of the quaint places to spend a weekend is Shree Renuka Temple about 130 Kms from Chandigarh.


We decided to do a circuit taking us to Paonta Sahib on our return. The route followed was:

Saturday Afternoon: Chandigarh-Panchkula-Barwala-Raipurani-Narayangarh-KalaAmb-Nahan-Jamta-Dadahu-Renuka. Time taken 3 hours with a Tea stop at Grand View resorts Jamta. The view of Nahan town from the resort at Jamta.



The road from Jamta to Renuka.



Sunday Afternoon: Renuka-Dadahu-Birla-Dhaulakuan-Mazra-Paonta Sahib-Dhaulakuan-Kalaamb-Narayangarh-Raipurrani-Panchkula-Chandigarh. Time taken was 1.5 hours from Renuka to Paonta and 3 hours from Paonta to Chandigarh. The road between Dhaulakuan to Nahan is broken in patches and is a slush fest at some places.


Just before we hit the main Amabala Paonta Road.


Small deviations on our return as from Raipurrani there is a road that turns right and then left after 5 kms to bring you straight to Matawalan completely byepassing Barwala.

History of Renuka Lake: It was here that Rishi Jamadagni stayed with his wife Renuka. She was the mother of Bhagwan Parshuram. Parshuram had beheaded his mother on the orders of his father and this lake is dedicated to Mata Renuka and has a lot of importance among the locals. Every November there is a large state level Fair here. Otherwise it is an idyllic destination to spend a weekend. However, please be advised to book in advance the HPTDC Hotel Renuka especially if you are travelling on a weekend. The rooms are good and food served is also adequate. Do try their Himachali fare of Madra and Khatte Cholle. The terrace at the hotel with a gracious host.


There is a mini zoo with a few local wildlife. We spotted a few which fortunately roamed free.


The Temple.


Parshuram Kund.


The lake.





The wildlife.






The Electric Cart they help you do the Parikarma of the lake. Though its best done on foot. Plus they take you the wrong way around.



On our way back we planned to come via Paonta. There is a road over the Renuka Barrage but we choose the one from Dadahu and what a mess it was. Due to on going monsoon all the rivulets were in spate and we had a lot of fun and some anxious moments crossing these rivers of muddy churning waters. The road as it winds down to the plains.

After paying obeisance at the Gurudwara at Paonta Sahib we started back after having an enjoyable weekend monsoon drive.
The Gurudwara Sahib

[Ironhide]

Nice crisp travelogue there V. The advantage , as you rightly pointed out, of being based in Chandigarh is that major attractions in the hills are all within a day's drive away.

Had been to Renuka Lake as a part of School Hike in March of 1991 and then again was there in March of 99. Not much had changed in the intervening eight years ! The place has managed to retain serene unspoiled tranquility over the years. It used to be the go to destination if one wanted some peace and quiet. The approach to the lake was also quite beautiful - snaking through brown mountainsides IIRC.

All in all a great travelogue ! Bravo !

Cheers !