Continents such as Asia and Europe, as well as the rest of the world, offer various experiences and destinations for travelers. One such place is Swaswara, located at Om Beach in Gokarna, which focuses on holistic living. For accommodation in Shekhawati, Piramal Haveli is a recommended option. If you are looking for luxury travel in a pilgrim's city, consider Westin Pushkar Resort & Spa. Another interesting experience is living the Lucknow life with Clarks Awadh. Additionally, Serolsar Lake holds a legend about Budhi Nagin. In Indian culture, the first ghee made from a cow's milk after giving birth to a calf is saved for worship, as it is considered auspicious. I am fortunate to have been born into a family where cows hold significance.
Whenever a new calf is born, I have observed my mother and grandmother perform a ritual. I became intrigued and wanted to understand the reason behind collecting ghee in a jar and prohibiting anyone from consuming it. To find my answer, I approached my grandmother who revealed that the first milk ghee is 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 bestowed with certain abilities from Durga Maa, a form of Nava Durga. Budhi Nagin eventually got married in the Suket area, which is now recognized as Karsog district in Himachal Pradesh.
Buddhi Nagin decided to visit the local water territory of the Satluj River. Before leaving, she told her mother not to wake her children until she came back. In the kitchen, her children were peacefully sleeping in a basket made of husks. It was a common practice for people to use husk baskets to hold their babies before baby prams became popular.
After some time, the mother grew concerned because the children had been sleeping for a prolonged period without awakening. Disregarding Budhi Nagin's advice, the mother decided to remove the blanket. To her astonishment, she discovered 5-6 snakes hidden within it. Filled with fear, she quickly grabbed ash from the kitchen and threw it at the snakes, causing them to scatter in various directions. It is believed that they were subsequently forgotten about.
Upon Buddha Nagin's return, she was filled with sadness to discover that her children had left. Overwhelmed by her emotions, she made the decision to depart from the village. In the Bhiuri village of Karsog, there exists a house where Buddha Nagin once resided, and inside this house, a small stone Murti is still revered and worshipped.
The house, which is small in size, is beyond repair or renovation. Budhi Nagin decided to leave the house and made his way to Serolsar Lake, located near Jalori Pass in Banjar Valley of Kullu District in Himachal Pradesh.
The people of the region believe that Buddhi Nagin is the mother of Nagdev, who is considered the god of snakes. They also believe that the Nagas are connected to Shiva. Each Naga has its own designated area and village, which is named after them, such as Chowasi Nag, Hungru Nag, and Jhakad Nag.
Within these villages, there are numerous stunning temples built in the Himachali architectural style, featuring exquisite wooden carvings. Annually, Nag Devtas (snake deities), priests, and local villagers embark on a procession throughout the area. The community offers various donations to the Nagas in different forms. Additionally, they engage in traditional Himachali dances known as Nati.
The mesmerizing meadows surround the lake, which is situated at its center. Visitors can delight in the breathtaking sunset and appreciate the panoramic view of the mountains in every direction.
According to the legend, a serpent named Buddhi Nagin arrived at Serolsar Lake and settled on a large rock. Nearby, there were 60 young girls called Joginis, who were on their way to different destinations such as Shikari Devi in Mandi and Jalori Jot. When they noticed Buddhi Nagin sitting in the lake, the Joginis approached her and suggested playing a game together.
The assumption was made that due to her age, defeating her would be a simple task. A decision was reached that if Budhi Nagin emerged victorious in the game, she would claim this location as her sacred space. Conversely, if the Joginis were to win, she would vacate this area.
During the game, a girl cheated, which greatly angered Buddi Nagin. As a consequence, Buddi Nagin cursed the girl to permanently transform into a small bird and gave her the responsibility of cleaning a small water body. This small bird is now referred to as Abhi Chidiya.
Buddi Nagin emerged victorious in the game, leading her to make the decision to stay in this place permanently. As she embarked on her journey, she carried a small pot with her. While wandering in Serolsar, the pot accidentally slipped from her grasp, resulting in the creation of a lake at that very spot. Thus, the lake came into existence.
The rock where Buddi Nagin was seated is currently referred to as Kala Pathar.
The Pandavas, while on their period of exile, arrived at Jalori Pass and eventually reached Serolsar Lake. In order to sustain themselves, they began cultivating rice in the vicinity of the lake. According to the tale, a mythical creature known as Buddi Nagin appeared before them and then returned to the lake.
The Pandavas retrieved the statue of her from the lake and placed it outside of the lake. They constructed a small temple for her on the shores of the lake. Over time, the temple has undergone several renovations. The present temple is the fourth one following the renovations.
Visitors to the Budhi Nagin Temple show their affection for cows by offering ghee. Budhi Nagin, the revered mother of all the Nag Devta in Mandi and Kullu, had a deep love for cows. As a result, devotees bring ghee as an offering when they visit her temple. It is believed that when ghee is poured inside the temple, it magically finds its way to the heart of the lake where Budhi Nagin dwells.
Individuals carry several kilograms of ghee to the temple and lake. Once a year, all the Nagdevas from the area come to visit Budhi Nagin during significant events. These special occasions are determined by the local priests.
The temple cannot be visited during the winter season because it experiences significant snowfall.
Discover the top 10 books that delve into the wonders and mysteries of the Himalayas.
There is a lack of knowledge regarding the exact depth of Serolsar Lake.
Here is another intriguing tale filled with mystery. One day, a Brahmin and his family were taking a leisurely walk near a lake. Unfortunately, he accidentally fell into the water and despite his family's efforts, they were unable to save him. Surprisingly, after a span of three years, the Brahmin returned from the lake. It turned out that he had made a promise to Budhi Nagin, a mystical serpent, not to reveal her existence to anyone.
His relatives persistently inquired about his whereabouts and how he managed to survive. Eventually, Brahmin admitted the truth and revealed that when he fell into the lake, he descended to its depths where he was rescued by Buddi Nagin. According to him, Buddi Nagin resides in a magnificent golden palace at the bottom of the lake. He also mentioned witnessing numerous containers of milk while he was there, as Buddi Nagin was engaged in churning curd.
Once he revealed the truth, he met his demise. The residents of the village gathered at the lake where peculiar occurrences were taking place. It was deduced that Buddi Nagin desired for the lake to remain undisturbed and maintain its cleanliness. Without a doubt, the lake is perpetually free from any debris, not a solitary leaf can be spotted within its waters.
Discover the enchanting beauty of India's 12 most stunning lakes.
Jalori Pass is located in the Banjar Valley of the Kullu district and is adjacent to the Suket area of Karsog. This pass acts as a connecting route between the Kullu and Shimla districts and was constructed by the British for the purpose of gaining entry into Kullu.
Jalori Pass is situated at an elevation of 2000 m. During the winter season, the pass is inaccessible because it experiences significant snowfall. Banjar Valley is an unconventional and lesser-known tourist spot located in the Kullu district.
The Kullu district is split into three primary valleys known as Tirthan, Banjar, and Sainj Valley. A picturesque route to Jibhi called Jalori Pass is adorned with thick deodar trees.
The Anni district of Kullu, located between Jalori’s pass and Shimla, is famous for its apple orchards. Visitors can appreciate the stunning sights of these orchards during the season.
Do you feel tired of the urban lifestyle? Reestablish your connection with the natural world by embarking on a hiking adventure in the majestic Himalayas. A breathtaking 5 km trek to the serene Serolsar Lake located in the Jalori Pass awaits for those seeking tranquility and beauty.
Hiking in this area is a straightforward experience, as you simply walk in a straight line through a thick forest filled with deodar and banyan trees. The hike offers a breathtaking 360-degree panorama of the surrounding mountains, as well as the most awe-inspiring sunset one can witness in this mountainous region.
Each season has a unique path to follow. During summer, this path is filled with vibrant colors, like Moses on the tree trunks. Additionally, you can witness the presence of some of the most uncommon types of plants and animals, such as rare herbs, medicinal plants, and untamed wilderness.
Tips for Traveling
If you are looking for affordable accommodation near Jalori Pass, there are numerous homestays available at reasonable prices. Additionally, you can also find camping facilities in the meadows of Jalori Pass. Accessing Jalori Pass is quite convenient.
Pallavi Thakur wrote this post as a contribution to the IndiTales Internship Program.
This blog post highlights the Bhuira Jams enterprise started by women from the mountain region. It also mentions the temples from the Pandava Era in the Karsog Valley of Himachal. Additionally, it provides information about the places to visit in Tirthan Valley, Kullu, Himachal Pradesh. The author expresses their motivation to visit these places after reading the blog and appreciates the publication of such articles.
It is fascinating to learn about the customs and heritage associated with ghee!
Greetings, Corinne.
I found this blog to be quite enjoyable, particularly the story of Budhi Nagin.
Please provide a response to this post. You can do so by canceling your reply. Additionally, you have the option to save your name, email, and website in this browser for future comments.
The code retrieves an HTML element with the ID "ak_js_1" and sets its attribute "value" to the current timestamp.
Get updates by subscribing to our newsletter.
Check out our most popular articles:
– Discover the 10th-century history of Kashmir with Ashish Kaul.
– Embrace holistic living at Swaswara on Om Beach in Gokarna.
– Explore Purkhauti Muktangan, a tribute to our ancestors.
– Experience a stay at the luxurious Grand Dragon Hotel in Ladakh.
– Visit Silvassa, the capital of Dadra & Nagar Haveli known for its beautiful gardens.
Browse through other blogs for more interesting content.
