Important excursions from Paonta Sahib are Renuka (50 Km), Nahan (45 Km), Dehradun (45 Km),Asan Barriage (8 Km), Deer Park (8 Km) to name a few.
Siwalik Fossil Park, Saketi, Himachal Pradesh
THE Shivalik Fossil Park at Saket, a small village, 14km south of Nahan, and about 5 km from the industrial town of Kala Amb, on the border of Haryana and Himachal Pardesh, is one of the most unique attractions in this state. It is the first park in Asia which has been developed at a site, where fossils were actually found.
Situated amidst picturesque sceneries of the Siwalik hills in the Markanda Valley, The Siwalik Fossil Park, saketi is located in the Sirmour District of Himachal Pradesh and is located 1480 metres above the sea level. The Park has been established for the preservation of Prehistoric animal sites, restoration of their natural environment and utilization of the same for scientific, educational and recreational purposes. It is from Saketi and adjacent areas the fossilized remains of many animals which thrived in the area about 1 to 2.5 million years ago have been excavate . A small museum in the Park exhibits many spectacular fossil specimens of vertebrates. The site is also been developed as a panorama of Plio-Pleistocene period (2.5 million years ago) through massive afforestation efforts to provided a green cover to the Park as well as to enhance its beauty.
The world famous Siwalik rocks contain the embedded remains of various vertebrate animals and plants that flourished about 25 million years ago and evolved into various forms giving rise to the present day forms of land animals and plants. The fossil Park, is one of the rare gifts of nature in Siwalik hills and is a rich geological heritage.
Boarding and lodging facilities are available in the nearby Nahan and Kala-amb area.
Renuka Ji, Sirmour, Himachal Pradesh
Renuka Ji enjoys a tremendous important as a place of religious and tourist interest. Located in the Sirmour District of Himachal Pradesh, it lies about 40 km. away from Nahan. It is is well linked with motor able metalled roads and lies about 645 metres above the sea level. The place is well known for Boating in Renuka lake, which is one of the biggest attraction for the tourists. The weather of this place is very pleasant in the winters.
The whole area offers an ideal picnic spots during day time.
This place is visited by thousand of Pilgrims every year on Kartika ekadashi especially during the month of November. The place is a hub of Nightlong festivities including Kirtans are held by various groups.
The place remain full capacity during the days of the fair and offer a spectacular variety of activities. A brass iodl of Lord Parasu Rama is brought from village Jamu, in a silver palki accompanied by musical instruments with great pomp and show during the festival.Some people also offer sacrifices for the fulfillment of their wishes such as deliverance from some misery or recovery of health from a disease. On dwadashi, the people offer alms after the holy dip in the Renuka lake.
The Renuka Ji wild life sanctuary
The Renuka Wildlife Sanctuary is situated in the Sirmour District of Himachal Pradesh. Dadahu is the nearest town from the sanctuary and is located about 2 kms away from Renuka. The sanctuary has a total are a of 402.80 hectares. An additional area of 300 hectares outside the border of the sanctuary has been declared as a buffer belt.
The area has considerable religious and cultural value. The temples of Lord Parshuram and his mother Renuka Ji are located here and are visited by thousands of devotees every year.
Access to the sanctuary:The sanctuary is very well connected by motorable roads. It is located about 130 kms from Parwanoo and about 60 kms from Paonta Sahib.
Renuka LakeRenuka lake is located in the Sirmour district of the Indian state of Himachal Pradesh. It is located 672 metres above the sea level. Renuka lake is the largest lake in Himachal pradesh. The lake has been named after the goddess Renuka. An annual fair is held in the month of November each year.
Religious Importance:There are many temples of Lord Parshu Ram and Renukaji across this area. Renukaji is considered and incarnation of Goddess Durga. Renukaji was the wife of Rishi Yamdagini.
Lord Parshuram, the sixth incarnation of Lord Vishnu, was the youngest son of Renuka Ji. Renuka ji was an extremely beautiful goddess. Sahastra vahu, an emperor, killed Rishi Yam dagini and his four sons to marry Renukaji. To escape the emperor, Renukaji jumped into a pond known as Ramsarovar, now called as Renuka Ji lake.
Wild Life:The sanctuary has plenty of birds and animals. Some commonly found animals are:hill crow, black partridge, bulbul, hare, jungle cats and spotted deer amongst others.
Plants and vegetation:The sanctuary has dry mixed deciduous forests. The vegetation
consists of mixed crops of Terminalia, Khair, Shisham, Carrie, Cordia and a variety of climbers in moist depressions
Renuka Ji MiniZoo and wild Safari:Established in 1957, it is the oldest zoo of Himachal Pradesh. It has a proud collection of wild animals like Sambhar, Chinkara, Black Bucks etc. At present the Lion Safari, Zoo, Aviary and Sanctuary is being managed as Renukaji Wildlife Range, Renuka, which falls under the administrative control of Shimla Wildlife Division.
Boarding and Lodging facilities:There are many options for stay near the sanctuary like "Hotel Renuka", run by the tourism department, Inspection hut of the forest departmentand rest house at Dadahu.
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