Rewalsar Rewalsar is a small scenic hillside town that is well-known for its pagoda-style monasteries built on the banks of a holy lake. The towering presence of a tall statue of Padmasambhava, overlooking the holy waters, is indicative of the place’s spiritual importance. The monasteries have well-preserved old stucco sculptures, wall murals, and wall paintings. A convergence of religions takes place at Rewalsar as the place is held sacred by Hindus, Sikhs and Buddhists alike. There are temples and a Gurdwara also by the lakeside. The fish in the lake waters are considered sacred. A legend narrates that the King of Mandi wanted to kill Guru Padmasambhava when he learned that his daughter Mandarava had become a devotee of the Guru and wanted to run away with him. The king captured them and attempted to set them on fire but the Guru with his supernatural powers turned the pyre into a lake. Padmasambhava took a spiritual flight to Tibet from Rewalsar but believers hold that his spirit still resides in the lake. In Tibet, he is known as Guru Rimpoche. The Gurudwara was built in 1930 to commemorate a month-long stay that Sikh Guru Gobind Singh spent by the serene waters. The Hindu temples are dedicated to Lord Krishna, Lord Shiva, and the sage Lomas. Sri Renuka Ji Renuka has a beautiful and sacred oval-shaped lake. It is the largest natural lake in Himachal. Fed by underwater springs the lake has a circumference of 2.5 km. The shape resembles the profile of a reclining woman. The lake rests in a long valley and the surrounding woods are covered by a dense forest. It is best viewed from the hilltop above. The Renuka lake is surrounded by temples and ghats. The Renuka ji temple is a peach-coloured twin-dome. There is an idol of Sri Renuka ji (Parshuram's mother). There is also the temple of Vishnu. Next to the Renuka lake lies the Parshuram Tal, which is a much smaller lake. According to the Puranas, Renuka is considered the birthplace of Parshuram, the sixth incarnation of Lord Vishnu. Jamdagni and his wife Renuka are believed to have meditated on the hill above Renuka. Their son Parshuram later pleased Lord Shiva with his penance and received a divine weapon, Parshu. A major fair is held here in November. On Dashmi, the idol of Parshuram is brought from the ancient Jammu Koti temple and carried down in a silver palanquin in a traditional procession. The pilgrims camp by the lake for the next five days. At Renuka you can start with a walk around the lake. Many species of water birds are seen, including migratory birds. There are boating facilities. There is a mini zoo and wildlife sanctuary as well. The Renuka zoo is the oldest in the state and was opened in 1957. Kangra Fort The historical Kangra Fort, located at Old Kangra, is 3 km from Kangra town. The view of gushing streams of Banganga and Manjhi rivulets from the fort is charming. The Kangra Fort was the seat of power of the Katoch kings. It was the ancient capital of the Katoch kingdom and the symbol of power in the Punjab hill states. The Fort of Nagarkot (Kangra Fort) stands as a mute witness to the ravages of conquerors like Mahmud of Ghazni (1009 AD) and Jehangir (1619 AD) and the disastrous earthquake of 1905.Emperor Akbar made many attempts to capture this fort but could not succeed. One can enter the fort by a narrow path. It was protected by a number of gates named after its winners like Jehangir, Ranjit Singh and the British. At the top of the fort, there was the palace of the Katoch kings. In the courtyard, there are two temples. One is of Lakshmi Narain and the other of Ambika Devi, the family goddess of the Katoch kings. The fort remained neglected during the British period but now the Archaeological Survey of India maintains it.
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