Continents such as Asia and Europe, as well as the rest of the world, offer various experiences and opportunities for holistic living. One such place is Swaswara, located on Om Beach in Gokarna, where visitors can immerse themselves in a holistic lifestyle. For accommodation in Shekhawati, Piramal Haveli is a highly recommended option. If you're looking for luxury travel in a pilgrim's city, the Westin Pushkar Resort & Spa is a great choice. Experience the vibrant Lucknow life by staying at Clarks Awadh. Serolsar Lake is a beautiful destination with a legendary story about Budhi Nagin. In Indian families, the first ghee made from a cow's milk is considered sacred and is often saved for worship. I am fortunate to come from a family that still values the presence of cows in our culture.
Whenever a new calf is born, I have observed my mother and grandmother engaging in a ritual. I became intrigued and wanted to understand the reason behind collecting ghee in a jar and prohibiting anyone from consuming it. Seeking answers, I approached my grandmother, who informed me that the ghee was specifically gathered for Budhi Nagin in Serolsar Lake.
The story of Budhi Nagin begins in the Seraj region of Mandi district in Himachal Pradesh. She was commonly referred to as Buddi Nagin and possessed certain abilities bestowed upon her by Durga Maa, a form of Nava Durga. Budhi Nagin later got married in the Suket area, which is now recognized as Karsog district in Himachal Pradesh.
Buddhi Nagin once ventured close to the local water area of the Satluj River. She told her mother not to disturb her children while she was away. Her children were peacefully sleeping in a basket made of husks, which was a common practice before baby prams became popular.
Her mother grew concerned when the children continued to sleep for an extended period without waking up. Ignoring the advice provided by Budhi Nagin, her mother decided to remove the blanket. To her surprise, she discovered 5-6 snakes hidden within it. Overcome with fear, she hastily grabbed some ash from the kitchen and threw it onto the snakes. The snakes scattered in various directions in response. It is believed that they were subsequently forgotten about.
Upon Buddha Nagin's return, she was filled with sadness to discover that her children were no longer there. Overwhelmed by her emotions, she made the decision to leave the village. In the village of Karsog, there is a house where Buddha Nagin resided, and inside this house, a small stone statue is still revered and worshipped.
The house, which is in a state beyond repair or renovation, cannot be reconstructed. Budhi Nagin departed from the house and made his way to Serolsar Lake, located near Jalori Pass in the Banjar Valley of Kullu District in Himachal Pradesh.
The locals in the region believe that Buddhi Nagin is the mother of Nagdev, who is worshipped as the snake god. They also associate Nagas with Shiva, the Hindu deity. Each Naga is believed to have their own area and village named after them, such as Chowasi Nag, Hungru Nag, and Jhakad Nag.
In the rural areas, numerous stunning temples are built using the architectural style of Himachal Pradesh. These temples are adorned with exquisite wooden carvings. Annually, Nag Devtas, priests, and villagers from the surrounding regions participate in a procession. The locals offer donations to the Nagas in various forms. Additionally, they showcase traditional Himachali dances known as Nati.
Situated amidst captivating grasslands, the lake offers a breathtaking experience with its stunning sunsets and a panoramic view of the surrounding mountains from every angle.
According to the legend, a mythical serpent named Buddhi Nagin arrived at Serolsar Lake and settled on a large rock. At that time, there were 60 young girls known as Joginis or Yoginis who were embarking on different journeys. Some were heading to Shikari Devi in Mandi, while others were going to Jalori Jot. These Joginis noticed Buddhi Nagin sitting in Serolsar Lake and decided to approach her. They proposed the idea of playing a game together.
The assumption was made that defeating her would be easy simply because she was old. A decision was reached stating that if Budhi Nagin emerged victorious in the game, she would consider this place sacred. Conversely, if the Joginis were to win, she would vacate the premises.
During the game, one of the girls engaged in dishonest behavior, which greatly angered Buddi Nagin. As a consequence, she placed a curse on the girl, transforming her into a permanent small bird and assigning her the responsibility of cleaning a small body of water. This small bird is now referred to as Abhi Chidiya.
Buddi Nagin emerged as the victor of the game and made the decision to make this place her permanent home. As she journeyed through Serolsar, she accidentally dropped a small pot she was carrying, resulting in the creation of a lake at that very spot. Thus, the formation of the lake can be attributed to this incident.
The rock where Buddi Nagin was seated is currently referred to as Kala Pathar.
The Pandavas arrived at Serolsar Lake during their time in exile, after reaching Jalori Pass. They decided to cultivate rice in the area surrounding the lake. According to legend, Buddi Nagin appeared in their presence and then returned to the lake.
The Pandavas retrieved the Murti of the goddess from the lake and placed it on the shore. They constructed a modest temple for her along the lake's edge. Over the years, the temple has undergone several renovations. The present temple is the fourth one following the renovations.
At the Budhi Nagin Temple, people have a tradition of offering ghee to Budhi Nagin, who is considered the supreme deity among all the Nag Devtas in the Mandi and Kullu regions. Budhi Nagin had a deep affection for cows, which is why devotees bring ghee as an offering when they visit her temple. According to belief, when ghee is poured inside the temple, it is believed to magically reach the center of the lake where Budhi Nagin is believed to reside.
Individuals carry several kilograms of clarified butter (ghee) to both the temple and the lake. Once a year, during special events, all the Nagdevas from the area come to visit Budhi Nagin. These special occasions are determined by the local priests.
During the winter season, the temple is not open to visitors because of the significant amount of snow
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There is a lack of knowledge regarding the exact depth of Serolsar Lake, making it a mysterious aspect of the lake.
Here is a captivating tale filled with enigma. A Brahmin, accompanied by his family, was leisurely walking by the lake when he accidentally fell into its depths. Despite their efforts, his family was unable to rescue him. Surprisingly, after a span of three years, the Brahmin returned from the lake. However, he was bound by a promise to Budhi Nagin, a mystical serpent, not to disclose her existence to anyone.
His relatives persistently inquired about his whereabouts and how he managed to survive. Eventually, the Brahmin revealed the truth. He explained that when he fell into the lake, he descended to its depths where he encountered Buddi Nagin, who then rescued him. Buddi Nagin resides in a magnificent golden palace beneath the lake's surface. The Brahmin also noticed numerous containers of milk, as she was in the process of churning curd.
Once the man revealed the truth, he met his demise. Residents of the village gathered at the lake and witnessed strange occurrences taking place. It was deduced that Buddi Nagin desired for the lake to remain undisturbed and maintain its cleanliness. True to its reputation, the lake remains pristine, devoid of even a single leaf.
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Jalori Pass, located in the Banjar Valley of the Kullu district, is closely connected to the Suket area of Karsog. This pass serves as a link between the Kullu and Shimla districts and was constructed by the British as a means to enter Kullu.
Jalori Pass is situated at an elevation of 2000 meters. During the winter season, the pass is inaccessible because it experiences significant snowfall. Banjar Valley, located in the Kullu district, is a unique and less explored tourist spot.
The Kullu district is split into three primary valleys: Tirthan, Banjar, and Sainj Valley. The Jalori Pass offers a picturesque route to Jibhi, lined with thick deodar trees.
The Anni district of Kullu is located between Jalori's pass and Shimla. It is famous for its apple orchards, and visitors can admire the stunning view of these orchards during the season.
Tired of the hustle and bustle of city life? Take a break from it all and immerse yourself in the beauty of nature with a hike in the majestic Himalayas. A delightful trek of 5 kilometers will lead you to the serene Serolsar Lake, nestled in the scenic Jalori Pass.
Hiking through a dense jungle filled with deodar and banyan trees is a straightforward and enjoyable experience. As you make your way, you will be treated to a breathtaking 360-degree view of the surrounding mountains, along with the most stunning sunset you can imagine in this mountainous region.
Each season has a unique journey, and during the summer, the path is filled with vibrant colors from moss growing on the tree trunks. Additionally, you can spot some of the most uncommon types of plants and animals, such as rare herbs, medicinal plants, and untamed wilderness.
Tips for Traveling
If you're planning to visit Jalori Pass, there are plenty of affordable homestays available in the vicinity. Additionally, you can also opt for camping in the beautiful meadows of Jalori Pass. Access to Jalori Pass is convenient and hassle-free.
Pallavi Thakur wrote this post as a contribution to the IndiTales Internship Program.
This is a must-visit place for those who want to experience the beauty of Indian culture and tradition. After reading your blog, I am inspired to go there and witness the incredible beauty myself. Thank you for continuing to publish these types of articles.
It's fascinating to learn about the customs and heritage associated with ghee!
Communication from Corinne.
I found this blog to be very enjoyable, particularly the story about Budhi Nagin.
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