Continents such as Asia and Europe, as well as the rest of the world, have their own unique characteristics and cultures. One example of holistic living can be found at Swaswara, located on Om Beach in Gokarna. For those looking for accommodation in Shekhawati, Piramal Haveli is worth considering. Westin Pushkar Resort & Spa offers luxury travel experiences in the pilgrim city of Pushkar. Clarks Awadh allows visitors to immerse themselves in the vibrant lifestyle of Lucknow. The Serolsar Lake holds a legendary tale about the Budhi Nagin. In Indian families, it is customary to save the first ghee made from a cow's milk for worship, as it is considered auspicious. Fortunately, I was born into a family that still values the presence of cows as an integral part of our culture.
Whenever a new calf is born, I have witnessed my mother and grandmother perform a ritual. Intrigued by this practice, I approached my grandmother to understand the significance of collecting ghee in a jar and why it is forbidden for anyone to consume from that specific jar. It was during this conversation that I learned that the initial milk ghee is actually gathered for Budhi Nagin, who resides in Serolsar Lake.
The story begins with a woman named Buddi Nagin, who was believed to have been granted some supernatural abilities by the goddess Durga Maa, who is one of the manifestations of Nava Durga. Buddi Nagin hailed from the Seraj region in the Mandi district of Himachal Pradesh. She later got married in the Suket area, which is now known as Karsog district in Himachal Pradesh.
Buddhi Nagin once visited the local water territory of the Satluj River. Before leaving, she told her mother not to disturb her sleeping children who were resting in a basket filled with husks in the kitchen. In the past, it was common for people to keep their infants in husk baskets as a substitute for baby prams.
After some time, the mother became concerned because the children had been sleeping for an extended period of time without waking up. Ignoring the advice of Budhi Nagin, the mother took the blanket from them. To her astonishment, she discovered 5-6 snakes hiding in the blanket. Filled with fear, she quickly grabbed some ash from the kitchen and threw it at the snakes. Startled, the snakes scattered in various directions. It is believed that they were not seen or thought of again after this incident.
Upon Buddha Nagin's return, she was filled with sadness upon discovering that her children had left. She made the decision to leave the village and start anew. In the Bhiuri village of Karsog, there remains a small stone idol that is still revered in the house where Buddha Nagin once resided.
It is impossible to reconstruct or refurbish this tiny house. Budhi Nagin departed from the house and arrived at Serolsar Lake, located near Jalori Pass in the Banjar Valley of Kullu District in Himachal Pradesh.
The people in the area worship Buddhi Nagin as the mother of Nagdev, who is considered the deity of snakes. The locals believe that Nagas, or snakes, are connected to Shiva. Each Naga has its own designated area and village named after them, such as Chowasi Nag, Hungru Nag, and Jhakad Nag.
These villages are home to numerous temples that showcase the unique Himachali architecture, adorned with intricate wooden carvings. Annually, the Nag Devtas, priests, and villagers come together to explore the surroundings. The locals make donations in various forms to the Nagas and participate in traditional Himachali dances known as Nati.
Situated amidst enchanting fields, the lake offers a captivating sight with its breathtaking sunsets and panoramic views of the surrounding mountains from every angle.
According to the tale, a snake 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. Some of them were heading to Shikari Devi in Mandi, while others were going to Jalori Jot. As they came across Buddhi Nagin sitting in Serolsar Lake, the Joginis approached her and proposed playing a game together.
They believed that they could easily overcome her due to her age. It was agreed that if Budhi Nagin emerged victorious in the game, she would consider this place sacred, but if the Joginis were triumphant, she would vacate this location.
During their game, a girl was caught cheating, which greatly angered Buddi Nagin. As a punishment, she cursed the girl to forever be transformed into a small bird and gave her the responsibility of cleaning a small body of water. This transformed bird is now known as Abhi Chidiya.
After winning the game, Buddi Nagin made the decision to stay in this place permanently. She had brought along a small pot from her home. While wandering around in Serolsar, she accidentally dropped the pot, causing a lake to appear right there. This is how the lake came into existence.
The rock that Buddi Nagin was seated on is currently recognized as Kala Pathar.
Pandava's Tale
While in their period of banishment, the Pandavas arrived at Jalori Pass and eventually found themselves at Serolsar Lake. They decided to cultivate rice in the vicinity of the lake. There is a belief that Buddi Nagin, a mythical snake, appeared before them and then returned to the depths of the lake.
The Pandavas retrieved her idol from the lake and placed it on the shore. They constructed a small temple for her near the lake. Over the years, it has undergone several renovations. The present temple is the fourth one after being restored.
At the Budhi Nagin Temple, people have a tradition of offering ghee to Budhi Nagin, who is considered the supreme deity of the Nag Devta in the Mandi and Kullu regions. Budhi Nagin had a deep affection for cows, hence devotees bring ghee as an offering when they visit her temple. According to the belief, when ghee is poured inside the temple, it is believed to reach the heart of the lake where Budhi Nagin resides.
Individuals bring large amounts of clarified butter, known as ghee, to the temple and lake. Once a year, the Nagdevas from the surrounding area come to visit Budhi Nagin during significant events. These special occasions are determined by the local priests.
The temple is not open during the winter because it receives a lot of snow.
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There is a lack of knowledge regarding the exact depth of Serolsar Lake, making it a mysterious feature.
Here is another story filled with mystery. One day, a Brahmin and his family were walking around a lake when he accidentally fell into the water. Despite their efforts, his family was unable to save him. Surprisingly, after three years, the Brahmin returned from the lake. It turns out that he had made a promise to Budhi Nagin, a mystical being, not to reveal her existence to anyone.
His family persistently inquired about his whereabouts and how he managed to survive. Eventually, Brahmin revealed the truth by explaining that when he fell into the lake, he descended to the lake's bottom where he was rescued by Buddi Nagin. According to him, she resides in a magnificent golden palace in that location. He also noticed numerous containers of milk as she engaged in curd churning activities.
After revealing the truth, he met his demise. The villagers gathered by the lake and witnessed strange occurrences. It was deduced that Buddi Nagin desired for the lake to remain undisturbed and free from pollution. True enough, the lake always remains pristine, devoid of even a solitary leaf.
Discover the breathtaking beauty of India's most stunning lakes.
Jalori Pass is located in the Banjar Valley of the Kullu district, adjacent to the Suket area of Karsog. It is one of the passes that links the Kullu and Shimla districts. The British constructed this pass in order to establish a route to Kullu.
Jalori Pass is situated at an elevation of 2000 m. During winter, the pass is inaccessible as it is blocked by a substantial amount of snowfall. Banjar Valley, located in the Kullu district, is a unique and lesser-known tourist spot.
The Kullu district is split into three primary valleys: Tirthan, Banjar, and Sainj Valley. The Jalori Pass is a scenic road that leads to Jibhi and is surrounded by thick deodar trees.
The district of Anni in Kullu is located between Jalori's pass and Shimla. Anni is famous for its apple orchards, and visitors can appreciate the stunning sight of these orchards during the apple season.
Are you feeling tired of the urban lifestyle? Rejuvenate your spirit by embarking on a hike in the majestic Himalayas. A picturesque trek of 5 kilometers that leads to the serene Serolsar Lake, located in Jalori Pass, is an ideal choice for you.
Hiking is a straightforward experience, simply involving a direct walk through a dense forest filled with deodar and banyan trees. The hike offers a breathtaking 360-degree perspective of the surrounding mountains, along with the most stunning sunset one can witness in such a mountainous setting.
Each season has its own unique characteristics and features. In the summer, nature comes alive with vibrant colors, such as the bright hues of mosses on tree trunks. This season also provides the opportunity to encounter some of the most uncommon and extraordinary types of plants and animals, including rare herbs, medicinal plants, and wild creatures.
Tips for Traveling
If you're looking for affordable accommodation near Jalori Pass, there are numerous homestays available. Additionally, you can also find camping facilities in the meadows of Jalori Pass. Getting to Jalori Pass is convenient and straightforward.
Pallavi Thakur authored this post as a contribution to the IndiTales Internship Program.
This destination is highly recommended for those who want to experience the beauty of Indian culture and tradition. After reading your blog, I feel inspired to visit and witness the amazing beauty myself. Thank you for publishing articles like these.
It is fascinating to learn about the customs and heritage related to ghee.
Corinne, a person's
I found this blog to be highly enjoyable, particularly the captivating tale of Budhi Nagin.
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